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 14. Long-tailed Tuco-tuco Ctenomys fulvus French: Tuco-tuco coloré / German: Langschwanzkammratte / Spanish: Tuco tuco de cola larga Other common names: Tawny Tuco-tuco Taxonomy. Ctenomys fulvus Philippi, 1860 , “Reise durch die Wuste Atacama.” Restricted by W. H. Osgood in 1943 to vicinity of Pingo-Pingo, 24°00’ S and 69°00" W, Atacama Desert, Chile . Ctenomys fulvus belongs to the opimusspecies group based on mtDNA analysis. Karyotype is 2n = 26, and sperm morphology is symmetric. Two subspecies recognized. Subspecies and Distribution. C.f.fulvusPhilippi,1860—NChile(EAntofogastaRegion). C. f. robustus Mann, 1978 — N Chile (Oasis de Pica in Tarapaca desert). Descriptive notes. Total length 280 -350 mm, and even exceeding 350 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. The Long-tailed Tuco-tuco is very large. Upper parts are slightly grizzled clay colored, and sides have paler color than back; under parts are uniformly colored in light cinnamon buff. Tail is dark brown above and has light pencil at end. Forehead and narrow line around mouth are dark or even slightly blackish. Skull is large, with many crests and large, puffy auditory bullae; nose is wedge-shaped. Habitat. Sandy soils in desert flats with desert shrubs and riparian forests in gullies. Food and Feeding. The Long-tailed Tuco-tuco feeds on low vegetation and, in particular, leaves of creosote bush ( Larrea , Zygophyllaceae ). Breeding. There is no information available for this species. Activity patterns. The Long-tailed Tuco-tuco is active primarily in the early morning, especially in the dry season. Movements, Home range and Social organization. Burrow systems of Long-tailed Tucotucos are more than 25 cm belowground. They apparently swim. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Bibliography. Bidau (2015), Cook & Salazar-Bravo (2004), Cook et al. (1990), Feito & Gallardo (1982), Gallardo (1991), Mann (1978), Osgood (1943), Parada et al. (2011), Reig et al. (1992).