The social tuco-tuco (Ctenomys sociabilis) is a species of rodent in the family Ctenomyidae.[2] It is endemic to Argentina. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland.

Social tuco-tuco
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Ctenomyidae
Genus: Ctenomys
Species:
C. sociabilis
Binomial name
Ctenomys sociabilis
Pearson & Christie, 1985

Range

edit

The social tuco-tuco is found in the mesic meadows at about 1000 m in elevation. Its range is rather small at about 700 km2, bound by the Rio Limay to the east, the Rio Traful to the north, and the Lago Nahuel Huapi to the south.[3]

Behavior

edit

One of the unique characteristics of this species is its social behavior. This is evidenced by observed adult burrow sharing, female tendency to stay near her birthplace, and alloparental care. With this high degree of sociability, however, there seems to be much less genetic diversity.[3]

References

edit
  1. ^ Bidau, C.J. (2018). "Ctenomys sociabilis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T5826A22195323. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T5826A22195323.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. ^ Woods, C. A. and C. W. Kilpatrick. (2005). "Infraorder Hystricognathi", pp. 1538–1600 in: Wilson, D. E. and D. M. Reeder. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.) Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 9780801882210.
  3. ^ a b Hadly, Elizabeth A.; Van Tuinen, Marcel; Chan, Yvonne; Heiman, Kimberly (2003). "Ancient DNA evidence of prolonged population persistence with negligible genetic diversity in an endemic tuco-tuco (Ctenomys sociabilis)". Journal of Mammalogy. 84 (2): 403. doi:10.1644/1545-1542(2003)084<0403:ADEOPP>2.0.CO;2. ISSN 1545-1542. S2CID 86128937.