Ctenomyidae Author Don E. Wilson Author Thomas E. Lacher, Jr Author Russell A. Mittermeier text 2016 2016-07-31 Lynx Edicions Barcelona Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I 498 534 book chapter 61364 10.5281/zenodo.6588177 e3c7ddc9-124f-4f96-9adb-e2bb222f3210 978-84-941892-3-4 6588177 41. Patagonian Tuco-tuco Ctenomys haigi French: Tuco-tuco de Haig / German: Patagonien-Kammratte / Spanish: Tuco tuco de Patagonia Other common names: Haig's Tuco-tuco Taxonomy. Ctenomys haigi Thomas, 1919 , “Maiten, W. Chubut. 700 m,” Argentina . Based on geographical distribution, C. haigi was considered in the Mendocinus group, but using mtDNA, it was classified in the magellanicusspecies group. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 50 and FN = 66, and sperm form is asymmetric. Monotypic. Distribution. Patagonian Argentina (Neuquén, Rio Negro, and W Chubut provinces). Descriptive notes. Head-body average 194 mm (males) and 172 mm (females), tail average 88 mm (males) and 81 mm (females), hindfoot average 36 mm (males) and 34 mm (females); weight average 229 g (males) and 152 g (females). All measurements from five specimens in the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology (Berkeley, USA). The Patagonian Tuco-tuco is mediumspecies, with short tail. Dorsum is grayish brown without medial line on crown or rump; sides are lighter gray, and venteris light but washed buffy. Top of nose is dark brown. Mandible lacks deep channel. About 56% of adults have open frontoparietal fenestrae. Habitat. Treeless Patagonian steppe in the Argentine Low Monte ecoregion. Food and Feeding. There is no specific information available for this species, but Patagonian Tuco-tucos appear to prefer aerial plant parts surrounding their burrows. Breeding. Litter sizes of the Patagonian Tuco-tuco are 2—4 young. Activity patterns. The Patagonian Tuco-tuco is active during day or night and rarely occurs aboveground. Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Patagonian Tuco-tuco is solitary. It also is highly vocal, giving up to 30 shortcalls in a single calling bout. Only males make aboveground calls. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Bibliography. Bidau (2006, 2015), Busch et al. (2000), Contreras & Bidau (1999), Gallardo (1991), Gallardo et al. (2002), Gardner & Anderson (2001), Lacey et al. (1997), Parada etal. (2011), Pearson & Christie (1985), Reig (1989), Thomas (1912a).