Uncovering the species diversity of subterranean rodents at the end of the World: three new species of Patagonian tuco-tucos (Rodentia, Hystricomorpha, Ctenomys)

Pablo Teta; Guillermo D'Elía

doi:10.7717/peerj.9259

Uncovering the species diversity of subterranean rodents at the end of the World: three new species of Patagonian tuco-tucos (Rodentia, Hystricomorpha, Ctenomys)

PeerJ. 2020 May 29:8:e9259. doi: 10.7717/peerj.9259. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Pablo Teta¹, Guillermo D'Elía²

Affiliations

¹ División Mastozoología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia", Buenos Aires, Argentina.
² Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Evolutivas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.

Abstract

Ctenomys Blainville 1826 is one of the most diverse genera of South American caviomorph rodents. Currently, six species of this genus are reported from Patagonia, south of 42°S. In this contribution, we assessed the taxonomic status of several populations from eastern and central Chubut province, northern Patagonia. Based on phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences, morphology assessment (qualitative and quantitative), and previously published karyological data, we describe three new species of this genus, one formed by two subspecies, endemic to northern Patagonia. In addition, we include C. coyhaiquensis Kelt and Gallardo 1994 into the synonymy of C. sericeus J.A. Allen 1903. Finally, we discussed the need for additional integrative approaches, including field collection of specimens, to better understand the diversity of this highly speciose rodent genus.

Keywords: Caviomorpha; Octodontoidea; Patagonia; Taxonomy.

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the American Society of Mammalogists via an “O. P. Pearson Award” (Pablo Teta) and Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico (FONDECYT) 1180366 (Guillermo D’Elía). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.