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Lifespan, longevity, and ageing

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Maximum longevity: 2.9 years (captivity) Observations: In captivity, these animals live up to 2.9 years (Richard Weigl 2005).
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Trophic Strategy

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The species is omnivorous. Individuals are reported to feed on small mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and insects. In a study of fecal samples to determine diet, crabs, beetles, vertebrates, and fruit were all found. Specimens included animals from the classes Aves and Diplopoda, and the orders Decapoda, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Orthoptera, and Opiliones. Plants were from the families Arecaceae, Cecropiaceae, Moraceae, Piperaceae, and Solanaceae. One successful captive diet included butterfish, meat, frogs, earthworms, shrimp, and mice.

Animal Foods: birds; mammals; amphibians; reptiles; fish; insects; terrestrial non-insect arthropods; terrestrial worms; aquatic crustaceans

Plant Foods: fruit

Primary Diet: omnivore

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Wooten, K. 2004. "Lutreolina crassicaudata" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lutreolina_crassicaudata.html
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Kimberly Wooten, Michigan State University
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Barbara Lundrigan, Michigan State University
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Associations

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Predators and anti-predation behaviors for the species are not reported. However, we may assume that they fall prey to a number of small and large carnivores which inhabit the same habitats.

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Wooten, K. 2004. "Lutreolina crassicaudata" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lutreolina_crassicaudata.html
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Kimberly Wooten, Michigan State University
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Barbara Lundrigan, Michigan State University
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Morphology

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The basic body plan of L. crassicaudata is weasel-like. This species has short, rounded ears and a thick tail that is naked at the tip. The tail is prehensile, though not as much as in other didelphid species, and is 210 to 330 mm long. Adults have a head and body length of 200 to 400 mm. As adults, males tend to be larger than females, weighing between 455 and 1100 g, whereas females have been recorded as 176 to 800 g. Though there is no question that females do have a pouch, the amount of development of the pouch is unclear.

Coat color varies within the species. This appears to be a geographic variation, and may be due to differences in diet or climate. The upper part of the coat is generally pale yellow, buff, or dark brown, whereas the under part varies from a reddish-ochraceous to pale or dark brown.

Range mass: 176 to 1100 g.

Average mass: 432.6 g.

Range length: 466 to 781 mm.

Average length: 574.1 mm.

Sexual Dimorphism: male larger

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry

Average basal metabolic rate: 2.265 W.

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Wooten, K. 2004. "Lutreolina crassicaudata" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lutreolina_crassicaudata.html
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Kimberly Wooten, Michigan State University
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Barbara Lundrigan, Michigan State University
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Life Expectancy

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There is no information on longetivity in the wild. One captive specimen was reported to have survived for three years.

Range lifespan
Status: captivity:
3 (high) years.

Average lifespan
Status: captivity:
3.0 years.

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Wooten, K. 2004. "Lutreolina crassicaudata" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lutreolina_crassicaudata.html
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Kimberly Wooten, Michigan State University
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Barbara Lundrigan, Michigan State University
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Nancy Shefferly, Animal Diversity Web
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Habitat

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L. crassicaudata occupies grassland, savanna grassland, and gallery woodland, and is often found near areas of permanent water. It is found in areas subject to periodic flooding, and is reportedly the most adapted didelphid to life on the pampas. It has been trapped at elevations up to 1700 m.

Range elevation: 1700 (high) m.

Habitat Regions: tropical ; terrestrial

Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland ; forest

Wetlands: marsh

Other Habitat Features: riparian

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Wooten, K. 2004. "Lutreolina crassicaudata" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lutreolina_crassicaudata.html
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Kimberly Wooten, Michigan State University
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Barbara Lundrigan, Michigan State University
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Distribution

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There are two distinct ranges known for thick-tailed opossums, Lutreolina crassicaudata. One range is east of the Andes, between Bolivia and southern Brazil at the northern end, and central Argentina at the southern end. A second range, far to the north and including Guyana, eastern Venezuela, and eastern Columbia, has yielded fewer specimens.

Biogeographic Regions: neotropical (Native )

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Wooten, K. 2004. "Lutreolina crassicaudata" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lutreolina_crassicaudata.html
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Kimberly Wooten, Michigan State University
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Barbara Lundrigan, Michigan State University
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Nancy Shefferly, Animal Diversity Web
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Associations

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Though it has not been documented directly, L. crassicaudata exhibits the ecological requirements to be a seed disperser, especially for pioneer or secondary plants. To the extent that any predators rely on this species for food, these animals are likely to have some affect of predator populations.

Ecosystem Impact: disperses seeds

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Wooten, K. 2004. "Lutreolina crassicaudata" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lutreolina_crassicaudata.html
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Kimberly Wooten, Michigan State University
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Barbara Lundrigan, Michigan State University
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Benefits

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At one time in Argentina, the animals were trapped, and their pelts were used for trimming garments. However, this practice has declined, since the color tends to fade from the hairs.

Positive Impacts: body parts are source of valuable material

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Wooten, K. 2004. "Lutreolina crassicaudata" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lutreolina_crassicaudata.html
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Kimberly Wooten, Michigan State University
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Barbara Lundrigan, Michigan State University
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Benefits

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There are no known adverse affects of L. crassicaudata on humans.

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Wooten, K. 2004. "Lutreolina crassicaudata" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lutreolina_crassicaudata.html
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Kimberly Wooten, Michigan State University
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Barbara Lundrigan, Michigan State University
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Nancy Shefferly, Animal Diversity Web
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Conservation Status

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There is no special conservation status for the species at this time.

CITES: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

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Wooten, K. 2004. "Lutreolina crassicaudata" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lutreolina_crassicaudata.html
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Kimberly Wooten, Michigan State University
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Barbara Lundrigan, Michigan State University
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Behavior

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There is no information on the modes of communication in L. crassicaudata. However, it is likely that they are similar to other members of their family, which are known to communicate with a number of vocalizations and visual signals. In addition, opposums generally have tactile communication, between mothers and their young, between mates, and also between rivals. In many species of opposums, physical aggression is common, especially between males. It is likley that L. crassicaudata is similar.

Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic

Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical

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Wooten, K. 2004. "Lutreolina crassicaudata" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lutreolina_crassicaudata.html
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Kimberly Wooten, Michigan State University
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Barbara Lundrigan, Michigan State University
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Untitled

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The species at one time was thought to be composed of many separate subspecies, but Marshall (1978) recognized only two subspecies: L. c. crassicaudata and L. c. turneri. These animals are known as ‘Little Water Opossums', ‘Thick-tailed Opossums', and by humans in their range as ‘Comadreja Colorada'. The latter name comes in part from the common name of the long-tailed weasel (Mustela frenata), comadreja. The chromosome number for the species is 2n=22.

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Wooten, K. 2004. "Lutreolina crassicaudata" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lutreolina_crassicaudata.html
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Kimberly Wooten, Michigan State University
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Reproduction

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There is no information on the mating system of L. crassicaudata. However, the sexual dimorphism in size that is found in adults is indicative of intermale competition for mates, and therefore suggests some level of polygyny.

L. crassicaudata is reported to breed twice annually, once in the spring and again after the first litter has become independent. Gestation is short, as is common for marsupials, and is believed to be two weeks. Litter sizes of seven and eleven have been reported, though little other information is available. Although reports indicate that the female has a well developed pouch, the young are reportedly raised in a nest of dry grass.

Breeding interval: Thick-tailed opossums breed twice annually.

Breeding season: The breeding season is in the spring and summer.

Range number of offspring: 7 to 11.

Average gestation period: 2 weeks.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization ; viviparous

Average gestation period: 14 days.

Average number of offspring: 8.

There is no information available on the parental investment of L. crassicaudata. However, we can assume that like other didelphids, these animals produce altricial young. The mother, as in all mammals, is likely to be the principle care-giver to the offspring, and feeds them with milk. The amount of time the young spend in the pouch has not been documented, and the only information directly available about the juvenile lives of these animals is that they are reared in a nest. There is no information indicating that males play a significant role in parental care.

Parental Investment: no parental involvement; altricial ; female parental care ; pre-fertilization (Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female)

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Wooten, K. 2004. "Lutreolina crassicaudata" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Lutreolina_crassicaudata.html
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Kimberly Wooten, Michigan State University
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Barbara Lundrigan, Michigan State University
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Big lutrine opossum

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The big lutrine opossum (Lutreolina crassicaudata),[2] also called little water opossum, thick-tailed opossum and coligrueso, is a long-tailed, otter-like mammal native to grasslands of South America. It generally lives near water and is active at night, dawn or dusk. It eats mice, insects and crabs. Like all opossums, it is a marsupial.

Description

The big lutrine opossum ("lutrine" means "otter-like" and "crass" meaning "thick, fat" and "cauda" meaning "tail") is a very peculiar opossum, having a long weasel-like body, short legs, small rounded ears, and dense reddish or yellowish fur.[3] Nocturnal and crepuscular, they generally live in grasslands and savannas near water. They are terrestrial but are excellent swimmers and climbers.[4]

Distribution and habitat

The big lutrine opossum is distributed in Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay, Colombia and Guyana. Populations in the two last countries are isolated from the populations of all the other countries. It can be found in grasslands, savanna grassland, and gallery woodlands with permanent water bodies, in marshy or riparian habitats.[5]

Behavior and ecology

Lutreolina crassicaudata skull

The big lutrine opossum builds tight nests made of grass and reeds or utilize abandoned armadillo or viscacha burrows.[5]

Diet

With a skull adapted for carnivory,[5] the big lutrine opossum is carnivorous and insectivorous feeding on small rodents and lagomorphs, birds, insects, small crustaceans.[6] It is considered to be the most carnivorous of all the members of the order Didelphimorphia. It preys on venomous snakes.[4] Captive individuals have been observed eating butterfish mixed with meat, frogs, earthworms, shrimp and mice.[6] Big lutrine opossums living close to urban areas scavenge through garbage, but this behavior is isolated and likely occurs due to necessity because there is less available prey in urban areas.[4]

Reproduction

Breeding begins in September and carries on until April followed by approximately five months of anestrous, or time without estrus. Big lutrine opossums have two breeding periods per year resulting in litters of 7–11 offspring. Like most marsupials, litters are born into a pouch and are fed via lactation until the offspring is developed enough to leave the pouch. Gestation lasts approximately two weeks and young are weaned off mother's milk at around three months. The first litter is born in September and the second in December or January. The offspring from this breeding season reach sexual maturity at six months but do not begin reproducing until the following year.[4] Males are heavier than females indicating sexual dimorphism likely caused by male-male competition for mates.

Locomotion

The big lutrine opossum is quadrupedal and extremely agile. It is primarily terrestrial but also an adept climber and swimmer.[3] Its long body, proportionally short limbs, and no undulation of the vertebral column disqualifies it from being categorized as a specialized semi-aquatic mammal. Although it cannot be classified as a truly specialized mammal, it is a strong swimmer drawing power from the hind limbs as the forelimbs paddle.[5] By employing a variety of gaits its locomotion abilities allows it to run, walk, climb, swim through all the different kinds of obstacles found in the grassy-woodland and marshy areas in which it lives.[5] It can dive and swim with ease, expanding its prey base to aquatic invertebrates.[3]

Taxonomy

Evolution

Fossils found in Minas Gerais, Brazil indicate that the big lutrine opossum emerged in the late Pleistocene epoch. Lutreolina fossils found in Tarija, Bolivia as well as samples uncovered across Argentina also indicate appearance of lutrine opossum ancestors during the late Pleistocene.[3] For a short time in Argentina, the opossums were hunted for their pelts for fur trade and to line garments, but this market quickly declined because the color of the opossum pelts would fade over time.[3]

Genetic and morphological studies indicate that the population in the Yungas, which was formerly considered a population of L. crassicaudata (with both species being grouped under the common name "lutrine opossum"), is in fact a distinct species, Massoia's lutrine opossum (Lutreolina massoia). As its name suggests, the big lutrine opossum is larger than Massoia's lutrine opossum.[7]

References

  1. ^ Flores, D.; Martin, G.M. (2016). "Lutreolina crassicaudata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T40503A22175337. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T40503A22175337.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ Gardner, A.L. (2005). "Order Didelphimorphia". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 8. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  3. ^ a b c d e Marshall, Larry G. (6 January 1978). "Lutreolina crassicaudata". The American Society of Mammalogists: Mammalian Species (91): 1–4. doi:10.2307/3503877. JSTOR 3503877.
  4. ^ a b c d Regidor, Héctor A.; Gorostiague, Martín; Sühring, Silvia. "Reproduction and dental age classes of the little water opossum (Lutreolina crassicaudata) in Buenos Aires, Argentina". Revista de Biología Tropical. 47 (1–2): 271–272. ISSN 0034-7744. Archived from the original on 2015-11-20. Retrieved 2015-11-20.
  5. ^ a b c d e Santori, Ricardo Tadeu; Rocha-Barbosa, Oscar; Vieira, Marcus Vinícius; Magnan-Neto, José Aarão; Loguercio, Mariana F. C. (2005). "Locomotion in Aquatic, Terrestrial, and Arboreal Habitat of Thick-Tailed Opossum, Lutreolina crassicaudata (Desmarest, 1804)". Journal of Mammalogy. 86 (5): 902–908. doi:10.1644/1545-1542(2005)86[902:liataa]2.0.co;2. JSTOR 4094435.
  6. ^ a b Facure, Kátia Gomes; do Nascimento Ramos, Vanessa (2011-03-01). "Food habits of the thick-tailed opossum Lutreolina crassicaudata (Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae) in two urban areas of southeastern Brazil". Mammalian Biology - Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde. 76 (2): 234–236. doi:10.1016/j.mambio.2010.06.005.
  7. ^ Juan A. Martínez-Lanfranco , David Flores , J. Pablo Jayat , and Guillermo D'Elía, A new species of lutrine opossum, genus Lutreolina Thomas (Didelphidae), from the South American Yungas, Source: Journal of Mammalogy, 95(2):225-240. 2014.

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Big lutrine opossum: Brief Summary

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The big lutrine opossum (Lutreolina crassicaudata), also called little water opossum, thick-tailed opossum and coligrueso, is a long-tailed, otter-like mammal native to grasslands of South America. It generally lives near water and is active at night, dawn or dusk. It eats mice, insects and crabs. Like all opossums, it is a marsupial.

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