A new living species of the genus Ctenomys (Rodentia: Ctenomyidae) from central-western Argentina

ALVARADO-LARIOS, RAQUEL; PABLO TETA; CUELLO, PABLO; J. PABLO JAYAT; TARQUINO-CARBONELL, A P; D'ELÍA, GUILLERMO; CORNEJO, PAULA; AGUSTINA A. OJEDA

Vertebrate Zoology

Senckenbergische Naturforschende Gesellschaft

Lugar: Sofia; Año: 2024 vol. 74 p. 193 - 207

The genus Ctenomys Blainville, 1826 includes 68 living species of small to medium-sized (100–1200 g) caviomorph rodents of subterraneanhabits. During the last decade, this genus has been the subject of numerous taxonomic studies, including the description ofnew species and the proposal of novel synonyms. Based on phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequences and qualitativeand quantitative morphological traits, here we review the species boundaries of the tuco-tucos of the species group of C. mendocinusand describe a new species. The new species is morphologically distinct from other phylogenetically and geographically close speciesof Ctenomys (e.g., C. fochi, C. mendocinus), showing several differences in their craniodental traits (e.g., proportionally longernasals and less globose tympanic bullae). The new species occurs in montane grasslands and shrublands of northwestern Mendoza(ca. 2710 m a.s.l.) and in lowlands (ca. 1000 m a.s.l.) of the Monte Desert ecoregion in an area highly impacted by accelerated processesassociated with the wine industry.