Ctenomyidae is a family of caviomorph rodents whose only living genus, Ctenomys, contains the tuco-tucos, burrowing rodents that fill an ecological niche similar to pocket gophers. About 60 species are recognized, all native to South America from Peru and central Brazil southward to Tierra del Fuego, in habitats from coastal grassland to mountain slopes above 4,000 meters. Tuco-tucos have heavily built cylindrical bodies with short legs and show an exceptional range of chromosome numbers among mammals, from 10 to 70 diploid. Their closest living relatives are the degus and other octodontids.
Facts
Taxonomic Rank Sources
1. Wikipedia: Tuco-tuco
WikipediaIntroductionQuote, Introduction
A tuco-tuco is a neotropical rodent in the family Ctenomyidae.
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