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
