Solitary burrow use by adult Patagonian tuco-tucos (Ctenomys haigi)

Abstract

Although >100 Patagonian tuco-tucos (Ctenomys haigi) were live-trapped in the Limay River Valley, Rio Negro Province, Argentina, during January 1994, December 1994, and January 1996, no more than one adult was captured per burrow system. Radiotelemetry studies of nine adults revealed that areas occupied by different individuals did not overlap. This pattern of burrow use differed markedly from that reported for the colonial tuco-tuco (C. sociabilis), which also occurs in the Limay Valley. We suggest that comparative studies of C. haigi and C. sociabilis will yield important new insights into factors assorted with interspecific differences in the social systems of subterranean rodents.