Ctenomys opimus Wagner 1848
Creators: name: Don E. Wilson
name: Thomas E. Lacher, Jr
name: Russell A. Mittermeier
Publisher: name: Lynx Edicions
Year: 2016
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Chordata
Mammalia
Rodentia
Ctenomyidae
Ctenomys
Ctenomys opimus

description: 15.
Andean Tuco-tuco
Ctenomys opimus
French: Tuco-tuco de la puna / German: Anden-Kammratte / Spanish: Tuco tuco de los Andes
Other common names: Highland Tuco-tuco
Taxonomy. Ctenomys opimus Wagner, 1848,
“Bolivia.” Restricted by O. Thomas in 1900 to “Sahama,” Mont Sahama, Oruro, about 17°49’ S, 67°28” W, 3000-4000 m.
Ctenomys opimus was initially included in Chaco group, but according to mtDNA analysis, it belongs to the opimusspecies group. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 26 and FN = 48, and sperm is symmetric. Three subspecies recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution.
C.o.opimusWagner,1848—NChile(AricayParinacotaRegion)andthroughoutthehighlandsofSWBoliviainLaPaz,Oruro,andPotosidepartments.
C.o.luteolusThomas,1900—NWArgentinaMts(Jujuy,Salta,andCatamarcaprovinces).
C. o. mgriceps Thomas, 1900 — S Peru (Moquegua, Tacna, and Puno regions).
Descriptive notes. Head—body 193-251 mm, tail 75-94 mm, ear 9-11 mm, hindfoot 40-45 mm (Bolivian and Peruvian specimens) and total length 275-300 mm (specimens from Salta and Jujuy provinces, Argentina). No specific data are available for body weight. The Andean Tuco-tuco is large. Pelageis long, lax, and smooth. Dorsum is uniform pale yellowish, tending to become darker, sometimes in patches, as on top of head. Most adults have open frontoparietal fenestrae.
Habitat. High grasslands up to elevations of ¢.5000 m. The Andean Tuco-tuco lives underground in burrows of loose sandy, gravelly, or cindery soils.
Food and Feeding. The Andean Tuco-tuco probably forages on underground bulbs and grass roots, stems, and leaves. It is rarely observed feeding aboveground.
Breeding. Pregnant Andean Tuco-tucos were observed in Bolivia in August-December. Gestation is ¢.120 days in Peru. Mean number of embryos was 2-8 ata site in Bolivia.
Activity patterns. Burrowing activity of the Andean Tuco-tuco was observed primarily in the morning in Peru.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Andean Tuco-tuco can be locally common, reaching densities of up to 17 ind/ha. Individuals make burrows with a single main tunnel and several side branches that contain nests and stored forage. Andean Tuco-tucos are solitary.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List.
Bibliography. Anderson (1997), Bidau (2015), Contreras & Bidau (1999), Diaz & Barquez (2002), Cook et al. (1990), Feito & Gallardo (1982), Gallardo (1979, 1991), Gardner & Anderson (2001), Ipucha et al. (2008), Medina et al. (2007), Ortells (1995), Ortells & Barrantes (1994), Parada et al. (2011), Pearson (1959b), Reig et al. (1992), Rossi et al. (1995), Thomas (1900b), Toloza et al. (2004), Vitullo & Cook (1991).
description: Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Ctenomyidae, pp. 498-534 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on page 516, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6588177