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

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.