Animal Diversity Web U of M Museum of Zoology ADW Home ADW Home ADW Home University of Michigan Help About Aninal Names Teaching Special Topics About Us




Structured Inquiry Search — preview

Home -> Kingdom Animalia -> Phylum Chordata -> Subphylum Vertebrata -> Class Mammalia -> Order Carnivora -> Suborder Caniformia -> Family Mustelidae -> Subfamily Mustelinae -> Species Lyncodon patagonicus

Lyncodon patagonicus
Patagonian weasel



2010/02/07 03:33:55.881 US/Eastern

By Karen Malek

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Caniformia
Family: Mustelidae
Subfamily: Mustelinae
Genus: Lyncodon
Species: Lyncodon patagonicus

Geographic Range

Lyncodon patagonicus has a distribution within the Neotropical region. Its range is from the southern and western parts of Argentina into Chile (Redford and Eisenberg, 1992).

Biogeographic Regions:
neotropical (native ).

Habitat

There is not a lot known about the habitat of L. patagonicus. The little research there is on this species suggests that Patagonian weasels are found in Pampas habitats that have light-colored substrates excluding deserts (Gittleman, 1996).

These animals are found in the following types of habitat:
temperate .

Physical Description

Mass
225 g (average)
(7.92 oz)


Length
300 to 350 mm
(11.81 to 13.78 in)


The head and body length of Lyncodon patagonicus ranges from 300 to 350 mm, with the tail adding an additional 60 to 90 mm (Nowak, 1999). Patagonian weasels have a dental formula of 3/3, 1/1, 2/2, 1/1= 28 (Mares, 1989). They have very small ears that are covered by the surrounding fur. Generally, the the fur is whitish with some dark brown and black tones intermixed. From the top of the head to along its backside there is a distinguishable broad white or yellowish band of fur. Lyncodon patagonicus has short legs, a long body, and a short bushy tail (Redford and Eisenberg, 1992).

Some key physical features:
endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry .

Reproduction

The mating system and behavior of Patagonian weasles remains unknown at this time. However, most mustelids associate only briefly during the mating season. Males have territories that overlap with those of several females and they monitor their reproductive state through chemical cues.

The reproductive behavior of this species has not been characterized.

Key reproductive features:
iteroparous ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization (internal ); viviparous .

Parental care in L. patagonicus is as unknown as the rest of the species' reproductive behavior. As in all mammals, the female nurses her young. Mustelids in general produce altricial young, which reside in a den or burrow until their eyes are open and they are able to walk. At this time, young weasels typically accompany their mother on foraging trips.

Parental investment:
altricial ; female parental care .

Lifespan/Longevity

Lifespan and longevity of this species are unknown.

Behavior

Patagonian weasels have been noted to enter burrows of Ctenomys and Microcavia in pursuit of prey. A defensive behavior of this species is that when it is cornered, the neck pelage will be erected. It is reportedly active at dusk and at night. (Redford and Eisenberg, 1992)

Key behaviors:
terricolous; nocturnal ; crepuscular ; motile .

Food Habits

The specific food habits of Patagonian weasels are little known, but the fact that this species has reduced molars and well-formed carnassials suggests that it is primarily carnivorous (Ewer, 1973). Patagonian weasels have been noted to enter burrows of Ctenomys and Microcavia in pursuit of prey. (Redford and Eisenberg, 1992)

Primary Diet:
carnivore (eats terrestrial vertebrates).

Animal Foods:
mammals.

Predation

Predation on this species has not been reported.

Ecosystem Roles

Because the dietary habits of this animal are not known, it is difficult to speculate on the role it plays within its ecosystem. However, L. patagonicus likely plays some role in regulating small rodent populations.

Economic Importance for Humans: Negative

No adverse affects on humans have been reported.

Economic Importance for Humans: Positive

This weasel has reportedly been kept by some ranchers as a working pet to destroy rats (Nowak, 1999).

Ways that people benefit from these animals:
controls pest population.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List: [link]:
Lower Risk - Least Concern.

CITES: [link]:
No special status.

Although this species has no special status, it is reportedly rare in Chile (Nowak, 1999)

Other Comments

This animal has not been extensively studied resulting in very little published information.

For More Information

Find Lyncodon patagonicus information at

Contributors

Karen Malek (author), University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Chris Yahnke (editor), University of Wisconsin Stevens Point.

References

Ewer, R. 1973. The Carnivores. Ithaca, New York: Cornell University Press.

Gittleman, J. 1996. Carnivore Behavior, Ecology, and Evolution, Volume 2. Ithaca, New York: Cornell University Press.

Mares, M., R. Ojeda, R. Barquez. 1989. Guide to the Mammals of Salta Province, Argentina. Norman, USA: University of Oklahoma Press.

Nowak, R. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World, Sixth Edition. Baltimore and London: The Johns Hopkins University Press.

Redford, K., J. Eisenberg. 1992. Mammals of the Neotropics- The Southern Cone Volume 2- Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay.. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.

2010/02/07 03:33:57.128 US/Eastern

To cite this page: Malek, K. 2003. "Lyncodon patagonicus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed February 09, 2010 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lyncodon_patagonicus.html.

Disclaimer: The Animal Diversity Web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students. ADW doesn't cover all species in the world, nor does it include all the latest scientific information about organisms we describe. Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. While ADW staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable, we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control.

Other formats: OWL

Home  ¦  About Us  ¦  Special Topics  ¦  Teaching  ¦  About Animal Names  ¦  Help

Structured Inquiry Search — preview