Historical and current knowledge of the Magellanic tuco-tuco Ctenomys magellanicus in Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, South America

Abstract

Background: I review the natural history of the tuco-tuco Ctenomys magellanicus in Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, southernmost geographic regions shared by Argentina and Chile. By natural history I mean both historical records and ecological features of this gregarious burrowing rodent. Methods and results: I conducted a selective review of the natural history of C. magellanicus, as recorded in mainstream journals and proceedings, landmark monographs and books, and internet sources. I report results on: (a) Original description, (b) Diversity and distribution, (c) Life history, (d) Interactions with plants and herbivorous competitors, (e) Interactions with predators other than humans, (f) Interactions with humans, and (g) Abundance and conservation. I also enter the anthropology field, but I only touch the archeology field. Although this review is not on the systematics of C. magellanicus, I do provide an updated overview of the phylogenetics-based taxonomy of the genus where it belongs. Discussion: There is a rather large body of literature on C. magellanicus, comprising the fields of anthropology, archeology, biogeography, biology, ecology, and systematics. These areas are broadly covered but thinly treated, offering interesting opportunities for further research. For instance, on adaptation, evolution, and environmental impact of the southernmost burrowing rodent in the world and its cultural impact on vanishing native peoples, especially the Selk’nam.