A notable geographic and environmental extension of Lutreolina massoia (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae): first record for Peru

Sánchez-Vendizú P.; Escobar E.; Pacheco V.; González A.; D’Elía G. · Mammalia (2026) · DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2025-0139

Resumen

We report the first Peruvian record of Lutreolina massoia from Pampas del Heath, Madre de Dios. The specimen originally identified as Lutreolina crassicaudata was examined using morphologic and molecular data, confirming its identity as L. massoia. This record extends the known distribution ∼1,000 km northward and the lower elevational limit to 200 m a.s.l. It is also the first record from a savanna ecosystem, rather than a moist broadleaf forest, and broadens the climatic space of L. massoia, as the Peruvian locality has warmer and wetter conditions, with a wetter dry season and reduced temperature seasonality and annual range.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos