The systematic status and evolutionary significance of the robust tuco-tuco <i>Ctenomys latidens</i> from the Pleistocene of central Argentina

We conduct a systematic review of the extinct robust species of <i>Ctenomys</i> from the Early-Middle Pleistocene of central Argentina to assess the systematic status of †<i>Ctenomys latidens</i>. Based on qualitative comparisons and geometric morphometric evidence, †<i>Ctenomys latidens</i> is identified as a well-supported species, clearly distinguishable from †<i>Ctenomys magnus</i> and †<i>Ctenomys kraglievichi</i>. We propose †<i>Ctenomys intermedius</i> Rusconi, 1931a, and †<i>Ctenomys dasseni</i> Rusconi, 1931a as junior synonyms of †<i>C. latidens</i>. Accordingly, †<i>Ctenomys latidens</i> is recorded in the late Ensenadan age (late Early to early Middle Pleistocene) of Buenos Aires Province in central Argentina. Additionally, we suggest upgrading †<i>Ctenomys intermedius tandilensis</i> Rusconi, 1931a, and †<i>Ctenomys latidens orthognathus</i> Rusconi, 1931a to full species status. Finally, we demonstrate that the name †<i>Plateomys scindens</i> cannot be applied to the Early Pliocene Octodontidae currently recognised as †<i>Pseudoplataeomys formosus</i>, as that taxon is a potential junior synonym of †<i>Ctenomys latidens</i>.我们针对阿根廷中部早-中更新世已灭绝的粗壮型栉鼠属（Ctenomys）物种开展系统性综述，以评估†宽齿栉鼠（Ctenomys latidens）的系统分类学地位。基于定性比较与几何形态测量学证据，本研究确认†宽齿栉鼠（Ctenomys latidens）为一个得到充分支持的有效物种，可与†巨栉鼠（Ctenomys magnus）和†克拉格利希栉鼠（Ctenomys kraglievichi）明确区分。本研究将†中间栉鼠（Ctenomys intermedius）Rusconi, 1931a与†达森栉鼠（Ctenomys dasseni）Rusconi, 1931a确立为†宽齿栉鼠（C. latidens）的晚出同物异名。据此，†宽齿栉鼠（Ctenomys latidens）的化石记录发现于阿根廷中部布宜诺斯艾利斯省的恩塞纳达晚期（早更新世晚期至中更新世早期）地层中。此外，本研究建议将†中间栉鼠坦迪尔亚种（Ctenomys intermedius tandilensis）Rusconi, 1931a与†宽齿栉鼠正颌亚种（Ctenomys latidens orthognathus）Rusconi, 1931a提升为独立物种。最后，本研究证明†板齿鼠（Plateomys scindens）这一名称不能用于当前被归为†美丽伪板齿鼠（Pseudoplataeomys formosus）的早上新世八齿鼠科物种，因为该分类单元实为†宽齿栉鼠（Ctenomys latidens）的潜在晚出同物异名。