Pearson's tuco-tuco (''Ctenomys pearsoni'') is a species of rodent in the family

Ctenomyidae A tuco-tuco is a neotropical rodent in the family Ctenomyidae.Parada, A., G. D’Elia, C.J. Bidau, and E.P. Lessa. 2011. Species Groups and the Evolutionary Diversification of Tuco-Tucos, genus ''Ctenomys'' (Rodentia: Ctenomyidae). ''Journal of M ...

. It is endemic to Uruguay, where it is found at elevations below 200 m. This tuco-tuco constructs burrows with multiple openings (an average of 13) containing one to two nests of dried grass; it prefers areas of sandy soil but is somewhat adaptable. It is threatened by loss of habitat to development, agriculture and ranching. Multiple

karyotype A karyotype is the general appearance of the complete set of metaphase chromosomes in the cells of a species or in an individual organism, mainly including their sizes, numbers, and shapes. Karyotyping is the process by which a karyotype is disce ...

s have been reported, including 2n = 68–70, FN = 80–88, as well as 2n = 56, FN = 77–79, suggesting the taxon may represent several species. '' C. dorbignyi'' appears to be cytogenetically indistinguishable from the 2n = 70 form. The species is named after American zoologist

Oliver Payne Pearson Oliver Payne Pearson (October 21, 1915 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – March 4, 2003 in Walnut Creek, California), or "Paynie" to many that knew him, was an American zoologist and ecologist. Over a very active 50-year career, he served as p ...

References

Tuco-tucos Mammals of Uruguay Endemic fauna of Uruguay Mammals described in 1983 Taxonomy articles created by Polbot {{rodent-stub