The elusive marsupial monito del monte in Parque Nacional Los Alerces, Chubut, Southern Argentina

Abstract

Dromiciops gliroides is a small nocturnal marsupial found in the temperate forests of Southern Chile and Argentina. It is the only living member of the order Microbiotheria. Here we describe the first account of live trapping of D. gliroides in Parque Nacional Los Alerces (Los Alerces National Park) in the Province of Chubut, Argentina. This account extends the distribution of this cryptic species south to Parque Nacional Los Alerces (PNLA). The study provides a description of the habitat they were captured in after a recent bamboo flowering and seeding event and subsequent rodent irruption, the first in 70 years in PNLA. Four adult D. gliroides were captured during the study period, and both adult females captured had pouch young present, suggesting birth occurred in late October or early November. Habitat surveys revealed a lack of fruiting plants in PNLA, suggesting their diet is largely restricted to insects during early Spring. No dreys were detected, and hence it is likely D. gliroides utilises tree hollows as refuges and nesting sites in this park. Significant threats to the population in PNLA were identified including introduced predators, and human-related impacts due to farming and tourism.