Ctenomys sociabilis, Pearson & Christie, 1985
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6588177 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6588173 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/59304B44-1B09-FFC5-FA5C-FD63F5E1F864 |
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treatment provided by |
Carolina |
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scientific name |
Ctenomys sociabilis |
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69. View Plate 32: Ctenomyidae
Colonial Tuco-tuco
Ctenomys sociabilis View in CoL
French: Tuco-tuco sociable / German: Gesellige Kammratte / Spanish: Tuco tuco colonial
Other common names: Social Tuco-tuco
Taxonomy. Ctenomys sociabilis Pearson & Christie, 1985 View in CoL ,
“Estancia Fortin Chacabuco, 1075 m, 3 km Sy 2 km W Centro Puntudo, 71°11°40” W, 40°58°00” S.”
Ctenomys sociabilis is not classified in any species group. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 56 and FN = 72, and sperm form is symmetric. Monotypic.
Distribution. CW Argentina (S Neuquén Province), in a narrow area between the Rio Traful and Nahuel Huapi Lake, W of the Rio Limay. View Figure
Descriptive notes. Head—body 168-247 mm (average 192 mm), tail 67-80 mm (average 68 mm), hindfoot 32-36 mm (average 34 mm); weight 180-234 g (average 182 g). The Colonial Tuco-tuco is medium-sized. Dorsum is tawny ocher, with areas of black hairs, especially in frontal region of head. Venter is also tawny ocher, but there are no black areas. Nose has ocherous orange mark on both sides. The Colonial Tuco-tuco also has conspicuous black and white mustache. Rostrum is elongated, and auditory bullae are very narrow and not inflated.
Habitat. Andean-Patagonian steppe. Colonial Tuco-tucos build aggregations of collective burrows in rich, wet, and fine soils.
Food and Feeding. The Colonial Tuco-tuco feeds primarily on grasses of the genus Poa (Poaceae) .
Breeding. Mating of the Colonial Tuco-tuco occurs in winter, and births occur in November.
Activity patterns. The Colonial Tuco-tuco is highly active aboveground. It is the only species of tuco-tuco that does not maintain a permanently closed burrow opening.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Colonial Tuco-tuco is social. Several individuals have been reported in the same burrow entrance, and individuals at different burrow entrances have been observed calling to one another. Alloparental care and a tendency of a female to stay near her birthplace have also been observed. Individuals appear to discriminate gender with olfactory cues.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Critically Endangered on The IUCN Red List. Extent of occurrence of the Colonial Tuco-tuco is less than 100 km?, with all known individuals in one location (Nahuel Huapi National Park). There is continued decline in extent and quality of habitat due to sheep grazing.
Bibliography. Bidau (2015), Busch et al. (2000), Gallardo (1991), Gallardo et al. (2002), Hambuch & Lacey (2002), Lacey (2004), Lacey & Wieczorek (2004), Lacey et al. (1997), Reig et al. (1992), Schwanz & Lacey (2003).
No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.
