Ctenomyidae is a family of fossorial mammals in the order Rodentia and part of the Caviomorpha parvorder. Members of this family are called ctenomyids or tuco-tucos. They are found in southern South America, primarily in shrublands and grasslands, though some species can be found in forests, savannas, deserts, wetlands, and coastal areas. They range in size from the white-toothed tuco-tuco, at 11 cm (4 in) plus a 7 cm (3 in) tail, to Conover's tuco-tuco, at 33 cm (13 in) plus a 11 cm (4 in) tail. Ctenomyids are herbivores and eat a wide variety of vegetation. [1] No ctenomyids have population estimates, but ten species are categorized as an endangered species, and three—Reig's tuco-tuco, Roig's tuco-tuco, and the social tuco-tuco—are categorized as critically endangered.
The 59 extant species of Ctenomyidae are all contained in a single genus, Ctenomys. A few extinct prehistoric ctenomyid species have been discovered, though due to ongoing research and discoveries, the exact number and categorization is not fixed. [2]
Conservation status | |
---|---|
EX | Extinct (0 species) |
EW | Extinct in the wild (0 species) |
CR | Critically endangered (3 species) |
EN | Endangered (10 species) |
VU | Vulnerable (1 species) |
NT | Near threatened (5 species) |
LC | Least concern (17 species) |
Other categories | |
DD | Data deficient (23 species) |
NE | Not evaluated (0 species) |
The author citation for the species or genus is given after the scientific name; parentheses around the author citation indicate that this was not the original taxonomic placement. Conservation status codes listed follow the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Range maps are provided wherever possible; if a range map is not available, a description of the ctenomyid's range is provided. Ranges are based on the IUCN Red List for that species unless otherwise noted.
Ctenomyidae is a family consisting of 59 species in a single genus, Ctenomys.
The following classification is based on the taxonomy described by the reference work Mammal Species of the World (2005), with augmentation by generally accepted proposals made since using molecular phylogenetic analysis, as supported by both the IUCN and the American Society of Mammalogists. [3]
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Argentine tuco-tuco | C. argentinus Berry & Contreras, 1982 | Northern Argentina | Size: 17–18 cm (7 in) long, plus 7–9 cm (3–4 in) tail [4] Habitat: Shrubland and grassland [5] | NT
|
Azara's tuco-tuco | C. azarae Thomas, 1903 | Central Argentina | Size: 16–20 cm (6–8 in) long, plus 6–9 cm (2–4 in) tail [6] Habitat: Shrubland [7] | EN
|
Berg's tuco-tuco | C. bergi Thomas, 1902 | Central Argentina | Size: 13–17 cm (5–7 in) long, plus about 7 cm (3 in) tail [8] Habitat: Savanna and grassland [9] | EN
|
Bolivian tuco-tuco | C. boliviensis Waterhouse, 1848 Two subspecies
| Bolivia and western Brazil | Size: 18–28 cm (7–11 in) long, plus 7–10 cm (3–4 in) tail [10] Habitat: Savanna [11] | LC
|
Bonetto's tuco-tuco | C. bonettoi Berry & Contreras, 1982 | Northern Argentina | Size: 17–19 cm (7 in) long, plus 6–8 cm (2–3 in) tail [8] Habitat: Shrubland [12] | EN
|
Brazilian tuco-tuco | C. brasiliensis Blainville, 1826 | Uruguay | Size: Unknown [6] Habitat: Unknown [13] | DD
|
Catamarca tuco-tuco | C. knighti Thomas, 1919 | Northern Argentina | Size: About 20 cm (8 in) long, plus about 8 cm (3 in) tail [8] Habitat: Grassland [14] | DD
|
Chacoan tuco-tuco | C. dorsalis Thomas, 1900 | Paraguay and Bolivia | Size: About 16 cm (6 in) long, plus about 5 cm (2 in) tail [15] Habitat: Savanna [16] | DD
|
Colburn's tuco-tuco | C. colburni Allen, 1903 | Southern Argentina | Size: Unknown [4] Habitat: Grassland [17] | DD
|
Collared tuco-tuco | C. torquatus Lichtenstein, 1830 | Uruguay and southern Brazil | Size: 15–23 cm (6–9 in) long, plus 5–9 cm (2–4 in) tail [15] Habitat: Forest and shrubland [18] | LC
|
Conover's tuco-tuco | C. conoveri Osgood, 1946 | Paraguay and Bolivia | Size: 24–33 cm (9–13 in) long, plus 9–14 cm (4–6 in) tail [19] Habitat: Shrubland and grassland [20] | LC
|
Coyhaique tuco-tuco | C. coyhaiquensis Kelt & Gallardo, 1994 | Southern Argentina and southern Chile | Size: Unknown length, plus 5–9 cm (2–4 in) tail [4] Habitat: Shrubland [21] | DD
|
D'Orbigny's tuco-tuco | C. dorbignyi Contreras & Contreras, 1984 | Northern Argentina![]() | Size: 19–22 cm (7–9 in) long, plus 8–10 cm (3–4 in) tail [6] Habitat: Shrubland and grassland [22] | NT
|
Emily's tuco-tuco | C. emilianus St. Leger, 1926 | Western Argentina | Size: About 21 cm (8 in) long, plus about 9 cm (4 in) tail [10] Habitat: Desert [23] | LC
|
Famatina tuco-tuco | C. famosus Thomas, 1920 | Northwestern Argentina | Size: About 16 cm (6 in) long, plus about 7 cm (3 in) tail [15] Habitat: Unknown [24] | DD
|
Flamarion's tuco-tuco | C. flamarioni Travi, 1981 | Uruguay and southern Brazil![]() | Size: About 25 cm (10 in) long, plus about 7 cm (3 in) tail [6] Habitat: Coastal marine [25] | EN
|
Foch's tuco-tuco | C. fochi Thomas, 1919 | Northern Argentina | Size: About 16 cm (6 in) long, plus about 8 cm (3 in) tail [8] Habitat: Unknown [26] | DD
|
Furtive tuco-tuco | C. occultus Thomas, 1920 | Northern Argentina | Size: 13–16 cm (5–6 in) long, plus tail [4] Habitat: Unknown [27] | EN
|
Goodfellow's tuco-tuco | C. goodfellowi Thomas, 1921 | Bolivia | Size: 18–28 cm (7–11 in) long, plus 7–10 cm (3–4 in) tail [10] Habitat: Forest [28] | LC
|
Goya tuco-tuco | C. perrensi Thomas, 1898 | Northeastern Argentina | Size: About 20 cm (8 in) long, plus about 7 cm (3 in) tail [6] Habitat: Unknown [29] | LC
|
Haig's tuco-tuco | C. haigi Thomas, 1917 Two subspecies
| Western Argentina | Size: 17–20 cm (7–8 in) long, plus 8–9 cm (3–4 in) tail [4] Habitat: Forest, grassland, and inland wetlands [30] | LC
|
Highland tuco-tuco | C. opimus Wagner, 1848 Three subspecies
| Bolivia and northwestern Argentina | Size: 19–25 cm (7–10 in) long, plus 7–10 cm (3–4 in) tail [15] Habitat: Grassland [31] | LC
|
Ibicui tuco-tuco | C. ibicui de Freitas, Fernandes, Fornel, Roratto, 2012 | Southern Brazil | Size: About 16 cm (6 in) long, plus about 8 cm (3 in) tail [15] Habitat: Grassland [32] | NT
|
Jujuy tuco-tuco | C. juris Thomas, 1920 | Northern Argentina | Size: About 18 cm (7 in) long, plus about 7 cm (3 in) tail [8] Habitat: Unknown [33] | DD
|
Lago Blanco tuco-tuco | C. fodax Thomas, 1910 | Southern Argentina and southern Chile | Size: About 26 cm (10 in) long, plus about 10 cm (4 in) tail [4] Habitat: Grassland [34] | DD
|
Lami tuco-tuco | C. lami Freitas, 2001 | Southern Brazil | Size: 16–22 cm (6–9 in) long, plus 6–10 cm (2–4 in) tail [15] Habitat: Coastal marine [35] | VU
|
Lewis's tuco-tuco | C. lewisi Thomas, 1926 | Southern Bolivia | Size: 20–22 cm (8–9 in) long, plus 6–8 cm (2–3 in) tail [4] Habitat: Grassland [36] | LC
|
Magellanic tuco-tuco | C. magellanicus Bennett, 1836 Four subspecies
| Southern Argentina and southern Chile | Size: Unknown [4] Habitat: Grassland [37] | LC
|
Maule tuco-tuco | C. maulinus Philippi, 1872 Two subspecies
| Central Chile | Size: Unknown [6] Habitat: Grassland [38] | LC
|
Mendoza tuco-tuco | C. mendocinus Philippi, 1869 | Central Argentina | Size: 16–20 cm (6–8 in) long, plus 6–9 cm (2–4 in) tail [6] Habitat: Shrubland, grassland, and inland wetlands [39] | LC
|
Mottled tuco-tuco | C. latro Thomas, 1918 | Northern Argentina | Size: 16–18 cm (6–7 in) long, plus tail [4] Habitat: Shrubland and grassland [40] | EN
|
Pearson's tuco-tuco | C. pearsoni Lessa & Langguth, 1983 | Southern Uruguay | Size: 17–20 cm (7–8 in) long, plus 7–9 cm (3–4 in) tail [6] Habitat: Shrubland, grassland, and coastal marine [41] | NT
|
Peruvian tuco-tuco | C. peruanus Sanborn & Pearson, 1947 | Southern Peru | Size: About 22 cm (9 in) long, plus about 9 cm (4 in) tail [8] Habitat: Grassland [42] | LC
|
Pilar tuco-tuco | C. pilarensis Contreras, 1993 | Northern Argentina and Paraguay | Size: 16–21 cm (6–8 in) long, plus tail [4] Habitat: Grassland [43] | EN
|
Porteous's tuco-tuco | C. porteousi Thomas, 1916 | Central Argentina | Size: 16–20 cm (6–8 in) long, plus 6–9 cm (2–4 in) tail [6] Habitat: Grassland [44] | NT
|
Pundt's tuco-tuco | C. pundti Nehring, 1900 | Central Argentina | Size: About 17 cm (7 in) long, plus about 4 cm (2 in) tail [6] Habitat: Grassland [45] | EN
|
Puntilla tuco-tuco | C. coludo Thomas, 1920 | Northwestern Argentina | Size: About 20 cm (8 in) long, plus about 10 cm (4 in) tail [15] Habitat: Unknown [46] | DD
|
Reddish tuco-tuco | C. frater Thomas, 1902 Two subspecies
| Bolivia and northern Argentina | Size: 17–20 cm (7–8 in) long, plus 5–9 cm (2–4 in) tail [4] Habitat: Grassland [47] | LC
|
Reig's tuco-tuco | C. osvaldoreigi Contreras, 1995 | Central Argentina | Size: 23–25 cm (9–10 in) long, plus tail [8] Habitat: Grassland [48] | CR
|
Rio Negro tuco-tuco | C. rionegrensis Langguth & Abella, 1970 | Eastern Argentina and Uruguay | Size: 16–19 cm (6–7 in) long, plus 6–9 cm (2–4 in) tail [6] Habitat: Desert and coastal marine [49] | EN
|
Robust tuco-tuco | C. tuconax Thomas, 1925 | Northern Argentina | Size: Unknown [10] Habitat: Savanna, shrubland, and grassland [50] | DD
|
Roig's tuco-tuco | C. roigi Contreras, 1988 | Northern Argentina | Size: 17–20 cm (7–8 in) long, plus 7–10 cm (3–4 in) tail [6] Habitat: Grassland, inland wetlands, and other [51] | CR
|
Salta tuco-tuco | C. saltarius Thomas, 1912 | Northern Argentina | Size: About 20 cm (8 in) long, plus about 9 cm (4 in) tail [15] Habitat: Desert [52] | DD
|
San Juan tuco-tuco | C. johannis Thomas, 1921 | Western Argentina | Size: About 20 cm (8 in) long, plus about 10 cm (4 in) tail [15] Habitat: Unknown [53] | DD
|
San Luis tuco-tuco | C. pontifex Thomas, 1918 | Central Argentina and central Chile | Size: About 18 cm (7 in) long, plus about 8 cm (3 in) tail [8] Habitat: Unknown [54] | DD
|
Scaglia's tuco-tuco | C. scagliai Contreras, 1999 | Northern Argentina | Size: About 20 cm (8 in) long, plus about 9 cm (4 in) tail [15] Habitat: Unknown [55] | DD
|
Sierra Tontal tuco-tuco | C. tulduco Thomas, 1921 | Western Argentina | Size: About 19 cm (7 in) long, plus about 7 cm (3 in) tail [15] Habitat: Unknown [56] | DD
|
Silky tuco-tuco | C. sericeus Allen, 1903 | Southern Argentina and southern Chile | Size: Unknown length, plus 5–9 cm (2–4 in) tail [4] Habitat: Forest [57] | DD
|
Social tuco-tuco | C. sociabilis Pearson & Christie, 1985 | Central Argentina and central Chile | Size: 16–25 cm (6–10 in) long, plus 6–8 cm (2–3 in) tail [10] Habitat: Savanna and inland wetlands [58] | CR
|
Southern tuco-tuco | C. australis Rusconi, 1934 | Eastern Argentina | Size: About 21 cm (8 in) long, plus 9–11 cm (4 in) tail [6] Habitat: Coastal marine [59] | EN
|
Steinbach's tuco-tuco | C. steinbachi Thomas, 1907 | Bolivia | Size: 23–25 cm (9–10 in) long, plus tail [10] Habitat: Savanna [60] | LC
|
Strong tuco-tuco | C. validus Contreras, Roig, & Suzarte, 1977 | Central Argentina | Size: Unknown [15] Habitat: Unknown [61] | DD
|
Talas tuco-tuco | C. talarum Thomas, 1898 Four subspecies
| Central and eastern Argentina | Size: 15–18 cm (6–7 in) long, plus 5–8 cm (2–3 in) tail [6] Habitat: Grassland and coastal marine [62] | LC
|
Tawny tuco-tuco | C. fulvus Philippi, 1860 Two subspecies
| Western South America | Size: Unknown [15] Habitat: Forest and desert [63] | DD
|
Tiny tuco-tuco | C. minutus Nehring, 1887 Two subspecies
| Southern Brazil | Size: About 7 cm (3 in) long, plus tail [15] Habitat: Shrubland and grassland [64] | DD
|
Tucuman tuco-tuco | C. tucumanus Thomas, 1900 | Northern Argentina | Size: About 17 cm (7 in) long, plus about 7 cm (3 in) tail [4] Habitat: Forest [65] | DD
|
Vipos tuco-tuco | C. viperinus Thomas, 1926 | Northern Argentina | Size: About 21 cm (8 in) long, plus about 8 cm (3 in) tail [8] Habitat: Unknown [66] | DD
|
White-toothed tuco-tuco | C. leucodon Waterhouse, 1848 | Western Bolivia and southern Peru | Size: 11–18 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 7–9 cm (3–4 in) tail [4] Habitat: Shrubland and grassland [67] | LC
|
Yolanda's tuco-tuco | C. yolandae Contreras & Berry, 1984 | Northern Argentina | Size: Unknown [8] Habitat: Unknown [68] | DD
|