Lyncodon patagonicus

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	MAMMALIA	CARNIVORA	MUSTELIDAE

Scientific Name:

Lyncodon patagonicus

Species Authority:

(de Blainville, 1842)

Common Name/s:

English	–	Patagonian Weasel
Spanish	–	Huroncito

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:	Data Deficient ver 3.1
Year Published:	2008
Assessor/s:	Kelt, D. & Pardinus, U.
Reviewer/s:	Duckworth, J.W. (Small Carnivore Red List Authority) & Schipper, J. (Global Mammal Assessment Team)
Contributor/s:
Justification: This species is listed as Data Deficient as it is poorly known with few specimens deposited in museum collections (Redford and Eisenberg 1992, Prevosti and Pardiñas 2001, Prevosti et al. 2009) and there is no published information on current population status or major threats. Recent investigations have begun adding new localities, which are expanding the known range - but which need further work and synthesis. It is suspected that with further study, this species may be found to be appropriately listed as Least Concern, however, the category of Data Deficient is maintained until the impacts of habitat conversion, retaliatory killing and hunting are evaluated as declines may be greater than currently observed.

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	The species is found in temperate arid and semiarid portions of Argentina and southern Chile (Prevosti and Pardiñas, 2001). It is known to occur from Salta Province south along the western part of the country to Santa Cruz Province, and then into Chile along the southern Argentine border (Tell et al. 2001).
Countries:	Native: Argentina; Chile
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	This species is suspected to be rare and occur at low densities across its range, however, it is inferred to be locally common around appropriate resources. Miller et al. (1983) considered this species to be rare in Chile. New locality records were reported for northern Patagonia, Argentina (Teta et al., 2007).
Population Trend:	Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Lyncodon patagonicus is found in herbaceous and shrub steppes and xerophytic woodlands (Osgood, 1943; Prevosti and Pardiñas, 2001). Its habits are little known; available data indicate that L. patagonicus is nocturnal-crepuscular and that it preys on fossorial rodents and birds (Cabrera and Yepes, 1940; Koslowsky, 1904; Redford and Eisenberg, 1992). May be assopciated with tuc-tuc (Ctenomys spp.) communities (Tell et al. 2001).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

Lyncodon patagonicus is found in herbaceous and shrub steppes and xerophytic woodlands (Osgood, 1943; Prevosti and Pardiñas, 2001). Its habits are little known; available data indicate that L. patagonicus is nocturnal-crepuscular and that it preys on fossorial rodents and birds (Cabrera and Yepes, 1940; Koslowsky, 1904; Redford and Eisenberg, 1992). May be assopciated with tuc-tuc (Ctenomys spp.) communities (Tell et al. 2001).

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	There are likely few direct threats to this species, although habitat degradation (due to sheep grazing) and occasional killing by ranchers are local threats.

Major Threat(s):

There are likely few direct threats to this species, although habitat degradation (due to sheep grazing) and occasional killing by ranchers are local threats.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	This species is not often seen in the wild or collected. It is possible – even likely – that this species occurs in several protected areas in western Argentina (Nahuel Huapi, Lanin, Lago Puelo, Los Alerces ) or in southern Patagonia (Perito Moreno, Los Glaciares), although most of these emphasize forested habitats rather than open terrain. Further survey efforts are necessary usign appropiate techniques for the species.

Conservation Actions:

This species is not often seen in the wild or collected. It is possible – even likely – that this species occurs in several protected areas in western Argentina (Nahuel Huapi, Lanin, Lago Puelo, Los Alerces ) or in southern Patagonia (Perito Moreno, Los Glaciares), although most of these emphasize forested habitats rather than open terrain. Further survey efforts are necessary usign appropiate techniques for the species.

Citation:	Kelt, D. & Pardinus, U. 2008. Lyncodon patagonicus. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 23 May 2013.
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