Individuals of this species from higher elevations are generally larger than individuals from lower elevations, and sexual dimorphism is more pronounced in populations from lower elevations (Contreras 1986).
The morphology of the glans penis and the size and shape of the baculum of Spalacopus cyanus are derived characters. It has been suggested that this species is an isolated remnant of an ancient radiation (Contreras et al. 1993).
The rather specialized diets and nomadic lifestyles exhibited in the genus Spalacopus restrict rapid speciation. Such speciation is seen in the equally fossorial and more sedentary family Ctenomyidae (Vaughan et al 2000).
There are two members of the genus Spalacopus: Spalacopus tabanus and Spalacopus cyanus. Spalacopus tabanus is larger than S. cyanus and inhabits southern Chile (Walker 1975).
The family Octodontidae first appears in the fossil record in the lower Oligocene in South America and in the Pleistocene in the West Indies (Vaughan et al. 2000, Walker 1975).
Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical
CITES: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
none
Local people often raid this species' winter stores of bulbs and tubers for food (Walker 1975).
While Spalacopus cyanus feed on forbs, grass shoots, bark, and cacti, the principal food of this species is geophyte bulbs such as huilli (Leucocoryne ixioides, Liliaceae). Coruros feed entirely underground. Presumably, Spalacopus cyanus visually locate areas where food is likely to be present after surveying the surrounding landscape from the mouths of their burrows. They then excavate shallow feeding tunnels towards these areas. This species is known to store bulbs and tubers within its burrows for winter consumption (Contreras and Gutierrez 1991, MacDonald 1987, Vaughan et al. 2000, Walker 1975).
Plant Foods: roots and tubers
Primary Diet: herbivore (Eats sap or other plant foods)
Spalacopus cyanus, one of two species known as "cururos", is endemic to Chile. Its range extends along the Chilean coast from Caldera (27 degrees S) to Quirihue (36 degrees S) and in the Andes from Alicahue (32 degrees S) to Los Cipreses (34 degrees S) up to elevations of 3,000 meters. The species also sparsely inhabits the Intermediate Depression (Contreras and Gutierrez 1991, Hanney 1975, Walker 1975).
Biogeographic Regions: neotropical (Native )
Spalacopus cyanus inhabits arid costal grassland, stabilized coastal dune land, Acacia savannah, and alpine Andean grassland. These habitats are generally arid and are characterized by scrubby herbaceous vegetation with little woody plant cover (Contreras and Gutierrez 1991, Hanney 1975, Vaughan et al. 2000).
Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland ; chaparral ; mountains
Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 6.0 years.
Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 5.8 years.
Large, protruding, curved upper incisors, and upper molars possessing reentrant folds that do not meet in the middle of the tooth distinguish this species from its close relatives. The eyes are quite large for a fossorial species. The tail is scaly, cylindrical, and hairless, and is 40 to 50 mm in length. Excluding the tail, the total body length of the species is 140-160 mm (Hanney 1975, Walker 1975).
The pelage of this stocky species is thick, glossy, and soft. Pelage coloration ranges from uniform black to brownish black. Spalacopus cyanus have dark gray feet, the digits of which possess relatively small claws for a fossorial species (Hanney 1975, MacDonald 1987, Walker 1975).
Range mass: 0.080 to 0.120 kg.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Average basal metabolic rate: 0.561 W.
Copulation lasts around 15 seconds and culminates with a cry emitted by the female. The gestation period is around 77 days, and females can produce two litters in a breeding season, which takes place from July until January. Breeding peaks in mid-summer (Bengall et al. 1999).
In captivity, the litter size ranges from 2-5 (mean of 3.5) neonates. Dependent on their mothers, newborns are born with closed eyes and thin pelage. The eyes open around 4 days after birth and weaning occurs around 60 days after birth (Bengall et al. 1999).
Based on colony age and sex ratios, the mating system of Spalacopus cyanus is likely polygynous, with males dispersing earlier than females. Late dispersal and overlap of two or more generations in a colony is probable. Only one sexually active male remains in a colony (Bengall et al. 1999).
Range number of offspring: 2.000 to 5.000.
Average gestation period: 77 days.
Average weaning age: 60 days.
Key Reproductive Features: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual
Average number of offspring: 2.4.
Parental Investment: altricial
The coruro (Spalacopus cyanus) is a species of rodent in the family Octodontidae.[2] It is the only species in the genus Spalacopus.[2] The species is endemic to central Chile, where it has been found in a wide variety of habitats, from coastal to montane.[1] It is fossorial and lives in colonies.[1]
Coruros are robust rodents with large heads, short necks and stocky bodies. The fur is short and dark brown, turning blackish on the feet. Their eyes and ears are small and their tails are short and smooth. They are strongly modified for life underground. They have large incisors that curve forward and which are used to loosen soil and gnaw through roots, strong forelimbs for digging and powerful hind limbs for moving soil and kicking it out of the entrance to the burrow. They weigh between 0.18 and 0.26 pounds (82 and 118 g). Their molars have reentrant folds that do not meet in the middle. Their tails are scaly and hairless. They can be either black or dark brown. [3]
Coruros occur along the coast from Alicahue (32°19'S) to Los Cipreses (34°01'S), and in the Andes up to 3500 m altitude from Alicahue (32°19'S) to Los Cipreses (34°01'S).[4] It inhabits a range of habitats including alpine grasslands in the mountains, acacia savannah in the Chilean Central Valley, semi-stabilized sand dunes and coastal grassland.[1]
Coruros are colonial rodents, a number of individuals occupying a single burrow system. They are also unusual amongst rodents in that they are nomadic; when their food is becoming exhausted in one locality, they move as a group to another locality and create a new burrow. They live in smaller colonies that broke up from a large population. They leave behind bulbs in order for them to grow, thus allowing them to return to the area for vegetation. It is a vocal species, emitting a range of distinctive calls. They tend to feed on Huilli or other vegetation. They have predators such as hawks, owls, and wild cats. They have a certain reproduction time from June to March. They can produce up to six offspring. Their gestation period last about 77 days. The offsprings eyes open about four days after birth. They are not currently endangered. [3]
Coruros feed entirely underground on grasses, herbs, roots and bulbs of geophytes such as Leucocoryne ixioides (which forms the bulk of its diet),[5] Dioscorea longipes,[6] or species of Libertia, Sisyrinchium or Alophia.[4]
The coruro (Spalacopus cyanus) is a species of rodent in the family Octodontidae. It is the only species in the genus Spalacopus. The species is endemic to central Chile, where it has been found in a wide variety of habitats, from coastal to montane. It is fossorial and lives in colonies.
