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Integrative taxonomy of the southernmost tucu-tucus in the world: differentiation of the nominal forms associated with Ctenomys magellanicus Bennett, 1836 (Rodentia, Hystricomorpha, Ctenomyidae)

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Abstract

We reviewed the alpha taxonomy of the genus Ctenomys Blainville, 1826 in southernmost South America, with emphasis on those nominal forms previously associated with C. magellanicus Bennett, 1836. We integrate distinct lines of evidence, including variation of mtDNA sequences, and the assessment of quantitative and qualitative traits of skins and skulls; when available, karyotypic data was also considered. Phylogenetic analysis of molecular markers shows low levels of divergence among specimens from southern South American mainland and the island of Tierra del Fuego (ca. 0.4%). This evidence plus the results of the multivariate analysis of metric data suggest that the nominal forms C. colburni J. A. Allen, 1903, C. fueginus Philippi, 1880, C. osgoodi J. A. Allen, 1905, C. m. dicki Osgood, 1943, and C. m. obscurus Texera, 1975 are subjective junior synonyms of C. magellanicus. In addition, we reviewed the status of C. fodax Thomas, 1910, a nominal form that have been alternatively considered as a valid species or related to C. magellanicus by previous researchers. Based on quantitative and qualitative morphological traits, we preliminarily regard C. fodax at the species level while citing it for the first time to Chile.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the curators and staff of the following collections: Sergio Bogan (CFA), Ulyses F. J. Pardiñas (CNP), Bruce Patterson (FMNH), Sergio Lucero (MACN), Fredy Mondaca (UACH), and Darrin Lunde (USNM). Yolanda Davies (MACN) provided us valuable information about some specimens now housed at CFA. Cristián Saucedo from Vida Silvestre de Tompkins Conservation granted access to samples from Chacabuco. Mauricio Soto-Gamboa allowed access to samples from Torres del Paine. Kattina Zavala and Alex Gonzalez provided technical support. The American Society of Mammalogists contributed to PT with funds through its “Oliver P. Pearson Award” to travel across the United States. Noé de La Sancha and Family provided support during the stay of one of the authors (PT) in Chicago. Financial support was partially provided by FONDECYT grants 1180366 (GD) and 1160627 (JCO).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. División Mastozoología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”, Avenida Ángel Gallardo 470, C1405DJR, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Pablo Teta

  2. Facultad de Ciencias, Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Evolutivas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Campus Isla Teja s/n, Valdivia, Chile

    Guillermo D’Elía & Juan C. Opazo

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  1. Pablo Teta
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Correspondence to Guillermo D’Elía.

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Appendix

Appendix

List of specimens of Ctenomys included in genetic based analyses. Species allocation follows the taxonomic scheme here proposed (see text). For each specimen of the Ctenomys magellanicus species group we provide locality information, catalog number, and Genbank accession number. Sequences gathered here are indicated with an * next to Genbank accession numbers.


Ctenomys coyhaiquensis Chile: Región de Aysen, Provincia General Carrera, Chile Chico (FMNH 134264/AF119112, FMNH 134296/AF119113, FMNH 134300/AF071753, topotypes).


Ctenomys haigi Argentina: Provincia del Chubut, Departamento Cushamen, El Maitén, 42°3′ S 71° 10′ W (SV62/HM777476; topotype), Departamento Cushamen, Laguna Nahuelquir, Estancia El Maitén (MNT018/KU659607, SM01/KU659602, SM02/KU659603, SM03/KU659604, SM04/KU659605, SM05_KU659606), Departamento Telsen, Talagapa (CNP 1269/HM777505); Provincia del Neuquén, Departamento Los Lagos, Cueva Traful (HA2C222/GU433041, HA2AC61/GU433042, HAC201/GU433043, HA3C83/GU433044, HA1AC266/GU433045, HA4C62/GU433046); Provincia de Rio Negro, Departamento Bariloche, near Hipodromo, 13 km WNW Bariloche (MVZ 166421/AF007063), Departamento Bariloche, Bariloche (MHNG1276071/KU659608), Departamento Pilcaniyeu, 13.5 km E Estación Perito Moreno (MVZ 184878/AF422920), Departamento Pilcaniyeu, Estancia San Ramón (H047_KY013599); Departamento Valcheta, Cerro Corona (CNP 3610/HM777506).


Ctenomys magellanicus Argentina: Provincia de Santa Cruz, Departamento Lago Buenos Aires, Estancia La Cantera (UACH 4232/MN176514*, UACH4233/MN176515*), Departamento Lago Buenos Aires, Río Ecker, 500 m aguas abajo casco Ea. Casa de Piedra (CNP 3613/HM777474), Río Chico, Estancia El Puma (CFA 11332/MN176516*, CFA11346/MN176517*). Provincia de Tierra del Fuego, Departamento de de Río Grande, no locality neither voucher specimen especified (DQ333326, DQ333327), Departamento de de Río Grande, Estancia Sara (CNP 3594/HM777479); Chile: Región de Aysen, Provincia de Capitán Prat, Parque Patagonia (UACH 8087/MN176518*, UACH 8088/MN176519*); Región de Magallanes, Provincia de Tierra del Fuego, Tres Arroyos (I308/AF370690); Provincia de Última Esperanza, Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Laguna Amarga (UACH 8089/MN176520*, UACH 8090/MN176521*, UACH 8091/MN176522*, UACH 8092/MN176523*, UACH 8093/MN176524*, UACH 8094/MN176525*, UACH 8095/MN176526*, UACH 8096/MN176527*).


Ctenomys sericeus Argentina: Provincia de Santa Cruz, Departamento Corpen Aike, La Porteña, Río Lista (SV45/HM777496), Departamento Deseado, Cerro del Paso (CNP 3605/HM777502), Departamento Deseado, La Paloma (CNP 3604/HM777501), Departamento Río Chico, Cerro Ventana (CNP 3615/HM777500).


Ctenomys sp. 1. Argentina: Provincia de Chubut, Departamento Río Senguer, Lago Blanco (SV52/HM777475).


Ctenomys sp. 2 Argentina: Provincia de Chubut, Departamento Paso de Indios, Pichiñan (CNP 1437/HM777503), Departamento Languiñeo, Estancia Quichaura (CNP 1043/HM777504).


OutgroupCtenomys torquatus (CA743/AF119111); Ctenomys tucumanus, (C04670/HM777499); Ctenomys boliviensis (NK15726/AF007038); Ctenomys sociabilis (EAL545/HM777495).

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Teta, P., D’Elía, G. & Opazo, J.C. Integrative taxonomy of the southernmost tucu-tucus in the world: differentiation of the nominal forms associated with Ctenomys magellanicus Bennett, 1836 (Rodentia, Hystricomorpha, Ctenomyidae). Mamm Biol 100, 125–139 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42991-020-00015-z

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