Resolving the taxonomic status of Ctenomys paramilloensis (Rodentia, Ctenomyidae), an Andean nominal form from Mendoza Province, Argentina

Ctenomys paramilloensis Roig et al. (1975. Ctenomys paramilloensis, una nueva especie de tucu-tuco de la Sierra de Uspallata, provincia de Mendoza (Rodentia, Octodontidae). In: Resúmenes IV Jornada Argentina de Zoología. Corrientes, Argentina), was coined to represent populations for this caviomorph (Hystricomorpha) subterranean rodent inhabiting a high Andean isolated tableland in the Sierra de Uspallata, Mendoza, Argentina. To evaluate the validity of this nominal form we conducted a field sampling involving several localities within the target geographical area. The results obtained indicate that all the sampled populations belong to the widespread Ctenomys mendocinus Philippi, 1869. Accordingly, C. paramilloensis is resolved as a junior synonym of the latter.