Ctenomys pearsoni Lessa & Langguth 1983
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 pearsoni

description: 27.
Pearson’s Tuco-tuco
Ctenomys pearsoni
French: Tuco-tuco de Pearson / German: Pearson-Kammratte / Spanish: Tuco tuco de Pearson
Taxonomy. Ctenomys pearsoni Lessa & Langguth, 1983,
“Arroyo Limetas, 25 km SE de Carmelo, Dep. Colonia, Uruguay.”
Based on biogeography, Ctenomys pearsoni is classified in the Corrientes group and the torquatusspecies group based on mtD-NA. Phylogeographic pattern was determined, and there is no relationship with chromosomalvariation. Based on geometric morphometrics, no relationship was found between chromosomal rearrangements and skull shape. Chromosomal complementis 2n = 56, 58, 64, 66, and 70, and sperm type is symmetric. Monotypic.
Distribution. S Uruguay (from the locality of Rocha, Rocha Department, to Colonia, Colonia Department).
Descriptive notes. Total length 245-277 mm, tail 72-82 mm; weight 165-300 g. Pearson’s Tuco-tuco is medium-sized. Body color is similar to that of the Collared Tuco-tuco (C. torquatus), and both species have light half-collar. Skull of Pearson’s Tuco-tuco is relatively narrow, depressed, and elongated. Dorsal surfaces of frontals are almost flat from interorbital constriction level toward back. Rostrum is narrow and elongated, and incisors are markedly proodont. Bullae are elongated and project behind occipital condyles. Small but clear cranial differences distinguish Pearson’s Tuco-tuco from other tuco-tucos, such as the Collared Tuco-tuco that it strongly resembles. Penal morphology of Pearson’s Tuco-tuco is very distinct from other tuco-tucos: paddle-shaped, single-tipped baculum that is wider, shorter, and better defined than those of other tuco-tucos.
Habitat. Coastal sandy fields or near river mouths along the coast of Uruguay.
Food and Feeding. Pearson’s Tuco-tuco feeds on grasses, and it is coprophagic.
Breeding. Pearson’s Tuco-tuco is polygynous, and reproduction occurs in winter (July— September). Maternal care is highly developed. Young are weaned in ¢.2 months. Females reproduce in their birth year.
Activity patterns. There is no information available for this species.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. Pearson’s Tuco-tuco is solitary and territorial and shows aggressive behavior.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Near Threatened on The IUCN Red List. Extent of occurrence of Pearson’s Tuco-tuco is thought to be less than 20,000 km?2, butit is adaptable and currently survives in disturbed habitats and tolerates development in beaches and agriculture. If threats continue, conservation status of Pearson’s Tucotuco could be Vulnerable.
Bibliography. Altuna & Lessa (1985), Altuna, Bacigalupe & Corte (1998), Altuna, Francescoli et al. (1999), Bidau (2015), Contreras & Bidau (1999), D’Anatro & D’Elia (2011), Francescoli (2001, 2002), Garcia et al. (2000), Novello & Lessa (1986), Novello et al. (1996), Parada et al. (2011), Tomasco & Lessa (2007).
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 522, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6588177