Ctenomys saltarius Thomas 1912

16.

Salta Tuco-tuco

Ctenomys saltarius

French: Tuco-tuco de Salta / German: Salta-Kammratte / Spanish: Tuco tuco de Salta

Taxonomy. Ctenomys saltarius Thomas, 1912, “Salta, N Argentina.”

Based on mtDNA analysis, C. saltarius is considered as belonging to the opimus species group. Karyotype and sperm form are unknown. Monotypic.

Distribution. N Argentina (Salta Province).

Descriptive notes. Head-body 200 mm, tail 90 mm, hindfoot 33 mm, all measurements from the holotype (adult female).

No specific data are available for body weight. The Salta Tuco-tuco is moderately large. Pelage has short hairs and dull color throughout. Upper parts are dull raw umber but browner along dorsal midline and lighter on sides. Under parts are dull buffy whitish. Area around muzzle is also whitish but shows discreet dark collar further behind. Tail is sharply bicolor, dark above and dull white below. Skull is very narrow, and unlike other species of Ctenomys, zygomatic arches are less spread than distances from front of incisors to back of tooth rows.

Habitat. Hillsides and valleys in the Yungas (montane forests) and Dry Chaco ecoregions. Salta Tuco-tucos are common in Larrea (Zygophyllaceae) flats and areas with Prosopis (Fabaceae).

Food and Feeding. Salta Tuco-tucos feed on Larrea and other shrubs.

Breeding. There is no information available for this species.

Activity patterns. There is no information available for this species.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no information available for this species.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Bidau (2015), Mares et al. (1981), Parada et al. (2011).