Redescription and phylogenetic position of Ctenomys dorsalis Thomas 1900, an enigmatic tuco tuco (Rodentia, Ctenomyidae) from the Paraguayan Chaco

Ctenomys dorsalis is known only from its type specimen, a female preserved as skin without skull (except for the upper incisors) from an imprecise locality in the "Northern Chaco of Paraguay". Here, we report additional individuals of this species housed, since the 1940s, at the Field Museum of Natural History (Chicago, USA). Based on these specimens, which fully match the original description of this rodent, we provide novel information regarding its phylogenetic position, external and cranial morphology, and distribution. The analysis of mtDNA sequences supports the distinctiveness of this taxon and suggests its placement within the boliviensis group of Ctenomys. Our study highlights once more the importance of museum collections as repositories of biodiversity. Fil: Londoño Gaviria, Manuela. Field Museum of Natural History; Estados Unidos. Universidad Eafit; Colombia Fil: Teta, Pablo Vicente. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; Argentina Fil: Ríos, Sergio Daniel. Museo Nacional de Historia Natural del Paraguay; Paraguay. Secretaría Nacional de Cultura. Departamento de Arqueología y Paleontología; Paraguay Fil: Patterson, Bruce. Field Museum of Natural History; Estados Unidos