Lyncodon patagonicus Gervais 1845

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Patagonian Weasel

Lyncodon patagonicus

French: Belette de Patagonie / German: Patagonisches Wiesel / Spanish: Huron patagonico

Taxonomy. Mustela patagonica de Blainville, 1842,

Argentina.

Monotypic.

Distribution. Argentina and C & S Chile.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 30-35 cm, tail 6-9 cm; weight 200-250 g. The Patagonian Weasel has a long, slender body and short limbs. The pelage is grayish-white throughout, with a wide band of white fur on the top of head. The nape, cheeks, chin, throat and limbs are dark brown. Dental formula; 1 3/3, C 1/1, P 2/2, M 1/1=28.

Habitat. Herbaceous and shrub steppes, and xerophytic woodlands.

Food and Feeding. Reported to enter burrows and prey on fossorial rodents and birds. May be associated with tuco-tuco (Ctenomys spp.) communities.

Activity patterns. Reported to be nocturnal and crepuscular.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Nothing known.

Breeding. Nothing known.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Data Deficient in The IUCN RedList. Verylittle is known about the Patagonian Weasel as it is rarelyseen in the wild or collected. No information has been published onits current population status or major threats. Field studies are needed to learn more about its ecology and conservation status.

Bibliography. Ewer (1973), IUCN (2008), Miller et al. (1983), Pocock (1926), Wozencraft (2005).