| Tawny tuco-tuco | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Ctenomyidae |
| Genus: | Ctenomys |
| Species: | C. fulvus |
| Binomial name | |
| Ctenomys fulvus Philippi, 1860 | |
| Subspecies | |
C. f. fulvusPhilippi, 1860 Contents | |
The tawny tuco-tuco (Ctenomys fulvus) is a species of burrowing rodent in the family Ctenomyidae. [2] It is found in the desert regions of northern Chile and adjoining areas of Argentina.
The tawny tuco-tuco grows to a length of 280 to 350 mm (11 to 14 in), and the subspecies C. f. robustus may grow even bigger. The forehead and the margins of the mouth are dark brown, otherwise the head and back are greyish brown and the flanks are rather paler brown. The underparts are a cinnamon-buff colour and the tail is brownish black, ending in a pale tuft of hairs. The upper surfaces of the feet are buffish white with some dark markings. The karyotype of both subspecies is 2n=26. [3]
This species is native to Argentina and Chile. There are two separate populations; the nominate subspecies C. f. robustus occurs in the Antofagasta Region of Chile and adjoining parts of northwestern Argentina; the other subspecies C. f. fulvus occurs only in the Oasis de Pica in the Tarapacá Region of northern Chile. Four degrees of latitude separate these two areas. This tuco-tuco typically lives in flat areas of desert with sandy soils, creosote bushes (Larrea sp.), and scrub. It also inhabits ribbons of trees growing alongside dry watercourses and creeks. [1] [3]
Burrows in which to live are dug at least 25 cm (10 in) deep. The external temperature in these very dry regions can vary between 6 and 62 °C (43 and 144 °F) but in the depths of the burrow the temperature normally remains within the range 19 to 25 °C (66 to 77 °F). These rodents are mainly active in the early morning, especially in the dry season. Their diet includes Larrea leaves [3] and roots. The animals derive most of their water requirements from their food, and the stable temperature in their burrows protects them from the lethal effects of overheating. [4]
The population of C. fulvus has not been quantified but the animal has a wide range and is presumed to have a large total population. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated it as being of "least concern" on the basis that, if its population trend is downward, then the population is not declining at such a rate as would justify putting it in a more threatened category. [1]
A tuco-tuco is a neotropical rodent in the family Ctenomyidae. Tuco-tucos belong to the only living genus of the family Ctenomyidae, Ctenomys, but they include approximately 60 different species. The common name, "tuco-tuco", comes from the "tuc-tuc" sound they make while they dig their burrows.
Haig's tuco-tuco, known regionally as the Patagonian tuco-tuco, is a hystricognath rodent. Like other tuco-tucos it is subterranean and thus not often observed, although the "tuc-tuc" call of the males can be heard near burrow sites, especially in the early morning. Like most species in the genus Ctenomys, C. haigi are solitary, with one adult per burrow.
The collared tuco-tuco is a tuco-tuco species from South America. It is found in southern Brazil, Uruguay and northern Argentina where it lives underground in a burrow it digs in savannah habitats. It is a relatively common species and the IUCN has assessed its conservation status as being of "least concern".
The puna miner is a passerine bird in the subfamily Sclerurinae, the leaftossers and miners, of the ovenbird family Furnariidae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru.
The southern tuco-tuco is a species of rodent in the family Ctenomyidae. It is endemic to Argentina.
Emily's tuco-tuco, also called Emilio's tuco-tuco, is a species of rodent in the family Ctenomyidae. It is endemic to Argentina. This species was named after Emilio Budin, an Argentine specimen collector who worked with Oldfield Thomas.
The reddish tuco-tuco is a species of rodent in the family Ctenomyidae. Five subspecies have been recognized, some formerly designated as separate species. It is found in Argentina and Bolivia at altitudes from 600 to 4,500 m. This tuco-tuco is fossorial, like others in its genus. Its diet consists of underground tubers and roots. Its karyotype has 2n = 52 and FN = 78.
The Magellanic tuco-tuco is a species of rodent in the family Ctenomyidae. It is found in Argentina and Chile. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland. It is also known as the cururo by the Ona culture of Tierra del Fuego.
The Maule tuco-tuco is a species of rodent in the family Ctenomyidae. It is found in Argentina and Chile, where it occupies several different types of habitats. It is a common species, and the IUCN has assessed its conservation status as being of "least concern". The common and scientific names refer to a river and region in Chile within its range.
The Mendoza tuco-tuco is a species of rodent in the family Ctenomyidae.
The highland tuco-tuco is a species of rodent in the family Ctenomyidae. It is found in high grassland in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru where it lives in burrows.
The social tuco-tuco is a species of rodent in the family Ctenomyidae. It is endemic to Argentina. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland.
The Talas tuco-tuco is a species of tuco-tuco endemic to eastern Argentina.
The robust tuco-tuco is a species of rodent in the family Ctenomyidae. It is a burrowing rodent and is endemic to the Tucumán Province of Argentina.
The Puntilla tuco-tuco is a species of rodent in the family Ctenomyidae. It is endemic to central Argentina. The common name of the species comes from the municipality of La Puntilla at the type locality. It was first described by the British zoologist Oldfield Thomas in 1920 after being collected by Emilio Budin, an Argentine specimen collector who worked with Oldfield Thomas.
The Argentine Monte (NT0802), or Low Monte, is an ecoregion of dry thorn scrub and grasslands in Argentina. It is one of the driest regions in the country. Human settlements are mainly near water supplies such as rivers or oases. Deforestation and over-grazing around these settlements have caused desertification.
The High Monte is a montane grasslands and shrublands ecoregion in Argentina.
