Ctenomys talarum Thomas 1898
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 talarum

description: 32.
Talas Tuco-tuco
Ctenomys talarum
French: Tuco-tuco des talas / German: La-Plata-Kammratte / Spanish: Tuco tuco de Las Talas
Other common names: Los Talas Tuco-tuco
Taxonomy. Ctenomys talarum Thomas, 1898,
“Las Talas, Ensenada, La Plata,” Rio de La Plata, Estancia Fortin Chacabuco, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 34°52’ S, 57°53’ Ww.
Ctenomys talarum was initially classified in the Ancestral group based on biogeography, and based on mtDNA analysis, it was classified in the talarumspecies group.
Phylogeographic pattern was determined, and 46 haplotypes were found. Ctenomys talarum has a variable karyotype of 2n = 44 to 48, and sperm is symmetric. Three subspecies recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution.
C.t.talarumThomas,1898—coastalsanddunesfromNecocheatoPuntaAlta,SBuenosAiresProvince,Argentina.
C.t.antoniiRusconi,1928—coastalNBuenosAiresProvince,Argentina.
C. t. occidentalisJusto, 1992 — La Pampa Province, Argentina.
Sparse populations of unknown subspecific status occur inland in Buenos Aires and possibly La Pampa provinces.
Descriptive notes. Total length 212-254 mm (average 233-4 mm), tail 56-75 mm (average 66-7 mm). No specific data are available for body weight. The Talas Tuco-tuco is small-sized; the three subspecies are similar in size and with the same degree of sexual dimorphism. Overall color is dark hazel to grayish red, with prominent axillary white spots. White spot is clearly noticeable at lower edge of ears. Distinguishing features include mastoid breadth being less than zygomatic breadth and conspicuous interpremaxillary foramen. In a sample of twelve specimens, baculum was short, narrow, and not expanded at each end, with mean length of 6-4 mm, proximal width of 1-3 mm, and distal width of 0-9 mm.
Habitat. Natural grasslands on coastalcliffs and dune formations, with loamy soils and mixed grasses and shrubs.
Food and Feeding. The Talas Tuco-tuco preferentially forages on grasses, in particular Bromus unioloides (Poaceae).
Breeding. Breeding of the Talas Tuco-tuco occurs in austral spring, and births occur in October-December, depending upon locality. Some populations appear to have bimodal reproductive cycle. Gestation lasts 95-102 days. Average litter size is 4-1 young. Some individuals reach sexual maturity in their birth year. Male home ranges are c.50% larger than those of females. New individuals quickly colonized vacant burrows, suggesting dispersing transients.
Activity patterns. There is no information available for this species.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Talas Tuco-tuco is solitary, and only one individual occupies a burrow. Sex ratios are equal, but resident populations can have an excess of females. Densities can be quite high, reaching more than 200 ind/ha.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List.
Bibliography. Bidau (2015), Bidau et al. (2000), Cutrera et al. (2006), Garcia et al. (2000), Justo et al. (2003), Kiblisky & Reig (1966), Massarini, Barros et al. (1995), Massarini, Mizrahi et al. (2002), Medina et al. (2007), Mora et al. (2013), Ortells (1995), Rossi et al. (1995), Vidal-Rioja (1985), Vitullo et al. (1988), Zenuto et al. (2003).
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 523, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6588177