24.

Ibicui Tuco-tuco

Ctenomys ibicuiensis

French: Tuco-tuco de | 'lbicui / German: Ibicui-Kammratte / Spanish: Tuco tuco de Ibicui

Taxonomy. Ctenomys ibicuiensis Freitas et al., 2012,

“Manoel Viana, in central-western Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil, 20°923°37” §, 55°25°43” W.”

Ctenomys ibicuiensis belongs to the torquatusspecies group. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 50 and FN = 68, and sperm form is symmetric. Monotypic.

Distribution. S Brazil, known only from six sites, four in Manoel Viana and two in Macambara municipalities, W Rio Grande do Sul State.

Descriptive notes. Total length average 234 mm,tail average 75 mm, hindfoot average 37 mm (with claws) and 33 mm (without claws); weight average 200 g. The Ibicui Tuco-tuco is small.

Habitat. Sand dunes and grasslands at an average elevation of ¢.200 m. Habitats of the Ibicui Tuco-tuco are now degraded by agricultural activities and desertification.

Food and Feeding. The Ibicui Tuco-tuco generally feeds on grass and bushes.

Breeding. Breeding of the Ibicui Tuco-tuco occurs in June-December, and litter sizes are 1-3 young.

Activity patterns. There is no information available for this species.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Ibicui Tuco-tuco is solitary.

Status and Conservation. The Ibicui Tuco-tuco has not yet been assessed on The IUCN Red List. It has a narrow geographic distribution in a small area (around 500 km?) thatis suffering from anthropogenic pressure, so it could be considered threatened.

Bibliography. Bidau (2015), Freitas et al. (2012).