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Neotropical otter

April 28, 2024

The Neotropical otter or Neotropical river otter (Lontra longicaudis) is an otter species found in Mexico, Central America, South America, and the island of Trinidad. It is physically similar to the northern and southern river otter, which occur directly north and south of this species' range. Its head-and-body length can range from 36–66 centimetres (14–26 in), plus a tail of 37–84 centimetres (15–33 in). Body weight ranges from 5–15 kilograms (11–33 lb).[3] Otters are members of the family Mustelidae, the most species-rich (and therefore diverse) family in the order Carnivora.

Neotropical otter
At the Corrientes Zoo, Argentina
CITES Appendix I (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Mustelidae
Genus: Lontra
Species:
L. longicaudis
Binomial name
Lontra longicaudis
(Olfers, 1818)
Neotropical otter range

This otter is found in many different riverine habitats, including deciduous and evergreen forests, savannas, llanos and pantanal. It prefers to live in clear fast-flowing rivers and streams. It is a relatively solitary animal and feeds mostly on fish and crustaceans.

Taxonomy edit

The taxonomy of the genus Lontra has been debated, but the use of Lontra rather than Lutra for New World otters is generally supported. The Neotropical otter has a very wide range, covering a large portion of South America, so it is not surprising there are geographical structures separating some populations. One such geographical isolation is the Cordillera Mountains. Additionally, the river in the Magdellena river valley flows north, away from the mountains, decreasing the likelihood that otters in the northern tip of South America will mix with otters elsewhere in the continent.

Neotropical otters have an unusual phylogenic relationship to other otter species. They are most similar to marine otter (Lontra felina) and southern river otter (Lontra provocax), which is not surprising considering these two species are found in South America. However, Neotropical otters are relatively distantly related to giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), which is surprising considering they have nearly identical ecological niches and home ranges.[4]

Subspecies edit

In one study, otters within a 1,600 sq mi (4,100 km2) area in southern Brazil showed low nucleotide variation, but high haplotype diversity compared to other otter species and other carnivores. The study made the conclusion that otters may be undergoing a recent increase in diversity. The results also show interrelatedness of otters nearby and give reason to separate the species into subspecies:[5]

  • Lontra longicaudis annectens
  • Lontra longicaudis colombiana
  • Lontra longicaudis enudris
  • Lontra longicaudis incarum
  • Lontra longicaudis longicaudis
  • Lontra longicaudis raferrous

Description edit

The Neotropical otter is covered in a short, dark grayish-brown pelage. Fur color is lighter around the muzzle and throat.[6] They possess a long wide tail, with short stout legs and fully webbed toes. Sexually dimorphic, the males are about 25% larger than the females.[7] Its head-and-body length can range from 36–66 centimetres (14–26 in), plus a tail of 37–84 centimetres (15–33 in).[3] Body mass of the otter generally ranges from 5 to 15 kilograms (11–33 pounds). Neotropical otters will communicate with nearby otters via scent marking. Communication may also occur via whistles, hums, and screeches.[7]

The dental formula seldom varies from that of Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra), except in the few cases of otters that have dental anomalies.[8] Females and males have the same formula. The dental formula (for half the skull) is as follows:[9]

  • Upper: 3 incisors, 1 canine, 4 premolars and 1 molar
  • Lower: 3 incisors, 1 canine, 3 premolars and 2 molars

Distribution and habitat edit

 
A neotropical otter in Bioparque Ukumarí, Colombia

The Neotropical otter has the widest distribution of all the Lontra species. Their habitat can range from northwest Mexico to central Argentina. They prefer clear, fast-flowing rivers, and are rarely known to settle in sluggish, silt-laden lowland waters or boggy areas. While mostly occurring at 300–1,500 m (980–4,900 ft) above sea level, they have been found settled at 3,000 m (9,800 ft).[10] They require dense riparian vegetation and abundant den sites but, other than that, the Neotropical otter is very versatile and tolerant to environmental change. The otters prefer den sites that are solid, high, dry, and in proximity to deep water.[11] The Neotropical otter is the greatest generalist of all otter species. In addition to rivers and streams, they can settle in and exploit some rather formidable habitats, such as wastewater treatment plants, rice paddies, sugar cane plantations, estuaries, deltas, drainage ditches, and sometimes swamps. They can inhabit cold, glacial lakes and streams in the Andes of Ecuador and Colombia.[12] Neotropical otters will also venture to the seashore and beaches (maintaining an almost "brackish" lifestyle), hunting marine creatures and playing in the highly saline water.[13]

Ecology and behaviour edit

Diet edit

The Neotropical otter's diet consists mostly of fish and crustaceans making up 67% and 28%, respectively, of its total diet. The otter will also occasionally feed on mollusks and small mammals, as well as birds, large insects and fruits.[14][15] This otter is known to occasionally attack fishnets for a source of prey, hindering fishing productivity.[13] Otters living near marine habitats can have a much higher proportion of crustaceans in their diets.

Seasonality also greatly affect otters' food choice. During the dry season, when less fish and crustaceans are available, one study found a higher proportion of frogs in otters' diet. Though, during this time, anurans and reptiles still made up a very small percentage of the total diet. This might also be due to the fact that certain frogs mate during the dry season, so the frogs are easier prey. All in all, the distribution of available food species in a particular area roughly correlates to the percentage of each species found in otters' diet.[16]

Reproduction edit

Breeding occurs mostly in spring. Gestation will last 56 days and produce a litter of 1–5 pups.[6] The pups are born blind yet fully furred. They will emerge from their mother's nest when about 52 days and begin swimming at 74 days. They are raised completely by their mother, as males do not provide any parental care.[11] The male will only spend a single day with the female during breeding season. The female must keep her pups safe from predation by other Neotropical otters. In one captive breeding situation, cannibalism by the mother may have occurred, though it was not confirmed.[17]

In an ecologically healthy area, there are many possible shelters so an individual can choose its preferred den. However, studies show that not all possible shelters are occupied and not all shelters are equally utilized by Neotropical otters. Otters visit different shelters with varying frequencies, from once or few times per up to many times per year. One factor that influences their preference for a den has to do with the water level, especially during flood season, when a den near water level can easily be washed away. A den may be at the water level, near the bank, or more than 1.5 meters about the water level.[18]

There are many other factors influencing otters' preferences for a shelter. Neotropical otters prefer dens near fresh water, high food availability, and relatively deep and wide water. During seasons with low water, individual otters may be more clumped because they will all move into areas of a river with deeper water, with more fish.[18] Deep, wide pools have been found to have a greater diversity of fish, preferential for otters. Some studies show that otters will forgo a less preferable, but more available den, like a muddy river bank, to spend more time in a preferential den, like a rocky shore.[19]

Neotropical otter females will rear pups in a den without a male. In some cases, a female may find a den that has space to keep her pups and a separate area for her own space. A study of a male otter's movement over 35 days showed he used three different dens without communication between them. Also, this individual moved between two islands separated by a one-kilometer wide estuary. He spent some time in a site with heavy mud, poor substrate for a den, so he may have been on the move to find food.[20]

Dens may have more than one opening, so the otter can easily exit to forage for food while staying safe from predators. There are many classifications of dens that Neotropical otters may use. A cavity among stones or under tree roots is preferred. In certain parts of South America, an otter may come across a limestone dissolution cavity or a cavity in a rocky wall. Though lacking a source of light, the Neotropical otter can make great use of this sturdy home. As a last resort, an otter expend energy to excavate a space among vegetation or a river bank, though those homes are less sturdy. Vegetative cover is also very important for the Neotropical otter. In comparison to other otter dens, the Neotropical otter dens do not have holes directly into the water, they do not use plant material as bedding, and will live in caves without light. They are elusive creatures and prefer undisturbed forests without signs of human activity. When humans clear forests for agricultural land, the number of available otter habitats plummets.[18]

Communication edit

Like other otter species, Neotropical otters will mark their territory with scratching or spraint (feces) in obvious places like rocks and under bridges.[21] Signs of marking may be most concentrated around their dens. They tend to only mark in certain areas of the den, separate from the activity center of the den. In caves, where a water sources may leak through the walls and wash away the scent, the resident may mark areas inside their den.[18]

Competition edit

The niches and ranges of the giant otter and the Neotropical otter overlap widely. Both species are diurnal and mainly piscivorous. The giant otter is less of a generalist in habitat, preferring slow-moving water and overhanging vegetation, but where the Neotropical otter may also occur. The giant otter is much larger and hunts in groups, so it can take larger prey. Some areas, like the Pantanal, have high enough productivity such that both otter species can coexist with little or no competition (niche partitioning). Additionally, Neotropical otters prefer deeper and wider streams than giant otters.[12]

Conservation edit

The Neotropical otter is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN. The species is currently protected in Argentina and many other South American countries. Heavy hunting for its fur in the 1950s–1970s resulted in much local extinction over the otter's range. Illegal hunting, habitat destruction through mining and ranching, and water pollution still affect the population of the Neotropical otter.[22] Although there have been attempts at captive breeding, these attempts have been largely unsuccessful.[6]

Most negative feelings about otters arise from fishermen who compete with the otter for fish. More data is needed to determine how much overlap exists between the fishermen's desired catch and the otter's diet. The highest competition between Neotropical otters and fishermen occurs during drought conditions. Fishermen may move out of their regular fishing areas, into deeper pools where the otter usually hunts in the absence of people. In a study on local fishermen's attitudes, the study revealed that fishermen's knowledge aligned with scientific data about the Neotropical otter's behavior, body description, and other data. Because the fishermen's facts aligned with scientific knowledge, scientists could then trust the fishermen's first-hand accounts about problems they experience with otters. Fishermen reported that otters will damage their fishing gear, but do not damage crab and shrimp nets. The locals have varying opinions about the otters' presence, from understanding they have to share space with the otters to wanting to kill the otters. There have been proposals to subsidize their fish profits lost to otters. However, it might be more beneficial to pay them to collect data on the species. This would benefit fishermen economically, improve fishermen's attitude towards them, and build on to currently insufficient data about this species. Otters are rarely get caught in gillnets, and when they do they very rarely die.[23]

Neotropical otters are threatened by habitat degradation associated with: agriculture, soil compaction, pollution, roadways, and runoff. Also, when forests are cleared for cattle grazing, heavy vegetation (which is the otter's preferred habitat) near streams is also cleared or trampled by cattle. This species is a very important ecological indicator because they prefer ecologically rich, aquatic habitats and have a low reproductive potential.[19]

In captivity edit

One male and one female Neotropical otter were captured near Caucasia, Colombia, and taken to Santa Fe Zoological Park in 1994 and 1996, respectively. Zoo staff observed the pair mating in the water, then separated the animals. The female had three births; one was successful. The infant deaths may have been unintentionally caused by the mother. One idea suggested the mother's enclosure was too small and she had no access to water, as she would have had in the wild. The mother's gestation period was 86 days for two separate breeding events recorded at this zoo. An 86-day gestation period is much longer than the previously accepted belief that gestation lasts around 60 days. Two possible explanations are: differences might exist between different subspecies or a later copulation may have occurred and not been observed. Also, this otter species might display short-term variation in gestation periods.[17]

References edit

  1. ^ Rheingantz, M.L.; Trinca, C.S. (2015). "Lontra longicaudis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T12304A21937379. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T12304A21937379.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  3. ^ a b Berry, K. (2000). Lontra longicaudis. Animal Diversity Web
  4. ^ Trinca, C. S.; De Thoisy, B.; Rosas, F. C. W.; Waldemarin, H. F.; Koepfli, K. -P.; Vianna, J. A.; Eizirik, E. (2012). "Phylogeography and Demographic History of the Neotropical Otter (Lontra longicaudis)". Journal of Heredity. 103 (4): 479–92. doi:10.1093/jhered/ess001. PMID 22589556.
  5. ^ Trinca, C. S.; Waldemarin, H. F.; Eizirik, E. (2007). "Genetic diversity of the Neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis Olfers, 1818) in Southern and Southeastern Brazil". Brazilian Journal of Biology. 67 (4): 813–8. doi:10.1590/S1519-69842007000500003. PMID 18278347.
  6. ^ a b c Bertonatti,C., and A. Parera. (1994). Lobito de rio. Revista Vida Silvestre. Nuestro libro rojo, fundacion vida silvrestre Argentina, Ficha No. 34
  7. ^ a b Emmons, Louise H.; Feer, François (1997-09-02). Neotropical rainforest mammals. A field guide (2nd ed.). Chicago: University of Chicago Press. pp. 161–162. ISBN 978-0-226-20721-6. OCLC 44179508.
  8. ^ Peters, F. B., Coelho, E. L., Vasconcelos, B. C. E., Roth, P. R. O., & Christoff, A. U. (2013). Dental anomalies in Lontra longicaudis (carnivora: mustelidae) collected in southern Brazil. IUCN Otter Specialist Group Bulletin, 30(1), 31–36.
  9. ^ Melissen, A. (2000). Husbandry guidelines for Lutra lutra. Otterspecialistgroup.org
  10. ^ Eisenberg, J.F. Mammals of the neotropics. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago.
  11. ^ a b Parera, A. (1993) The Neotropical river otter Lutra longicaudis in Ibera Lagoon, Argentina. International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Otter Specialist Group Bulletin. 8:13–16.
  12. ^ a b Munis, M. C., & Oliveira, L. F. B. (2011). Habitat use and food niche overlap by neotropical otter, Lontra longicaudis, and giant otter, Pteronura brasiliensis, in the Pantanal wetland, Brazil. The IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin, 28(A), 76–85.
  13. ^ a b Alarcon, G. G. & Simones-Lopes, P. C. (2004). "The Neotropical otter Lontra longicaudis feeding habits in a marine coastal area, southern Brazil". IUCN Otter Specialist Group Bulletin. 21 (1): 24–30.
  14. ^ Lontra longicaudis (Neotropical River Otter) The Online Guide to the Animals of Trinidad and Tobago
  15. ^ "Lontra longicaudis (Neotropical river otter)". Animal Diversity Web.
  16. ^ Rheingantz, M. L.; Waldemarin, H. F.; Rodrigues, L. V.; Moulton, T. P. (2011). "Seasonal and spatial differences in feeding habits of the Neotropical otter Lontra longicaudis (Carnivora: Mustelidae) in a coastal catchment of southeastern Brazil". Zoologia (Curitiba, Impresso). 28: 37–44. doi:10.1590/S1984-46702011000100006.
  17. ^ a b Arcila, D. A. & Ramirez, M. (2004). Captive reproduction of the Neotropical otter in the Santa Fe Zoological Park in Medellin, Colombia. The IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin, 2(1), 16–18.
  18. ^ a b c d Pardini, R. (1999). "Use of shelters by the neotropical river otter (Lontra longicaudis) in an Atlantic forest stream, southeastern Brazil". Journal of Mammalogy. 80 (2): 600–610. doi:10.2307/1383304. JSTOR 1383304.
  19. ^ a b Carrillo-Rubio, E., & Lafon, A. (2004). Neotropical river otter mico-habitat preference in west-central Chihuahua, Mexico. The IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin, 21(1), 10–15.
  20. ^ Nakano-Oliveira, E., Fusco, R., Dos Santos, E. A. V., & Monteiro-Filho, E. L. A. (2004). New information about the behavior of Lontra longicaudis (carnivora: Mustelidae) by radio-telemetry. The IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin, 21(1), 31–35.
  21. ^ Rheingantz, M. L., Waldemarin, H. F., & Kasper, C. B. (2004). Survey of Neotropical otters: testing methods to access distribution. The IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin, 21A, 1
  22. ^ Chehebar, C. (1990). Action plan for Latin American Otters. pp. 63–74 in Otters: an action plan for their conservation Pat Foster-Turley, S. M. Macdonald, Chris Mason (eds.), IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group.
  23. ^ Barbieri, F.; Machado, R.; Zappes, C. A.; Oliveira, L. R. D. (2012). "Interactions between the Neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis) and gillnet fishery in the southern Brazilian coast". Ocean & Coastal Management. 63: 16–23. Bibcode:2012OCM....63...16B. doi:10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2012.03.007.

Further reading edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lontra longicaudis
(Neotropical otter).
 
Wikispecies has information related to Lontra longicaudis.
  • Mammalian Species- No609, 1–5. Lontra longicaudis. Serge Lariviere, 5 May 1999 by the American Society of Mammalogists.

April 28, 2024
neotropical, otter, neotropical, river, otter, lontra, longicaudis, otter, species, found, mexico, central, america, south, america, island, trinidad, physically, similar, northern, southern, river, otter, which, occur, directly, north, south, this, species, r. The Neotropical otter or Neotropical river otter Lontra longicaudis is an otter species found in Mexico Central America South America and the island of Trinidad It is physically similar to the northern and southern river otter which occur directly north and south of this species range Its head and body length can range from 36 66 centimetres 14 26 in plus a tail of 37 84 centimetres 15 33 in Body weight ranges from 5 15 kilograms 11 33 lb 3 Otters are members of the family Mustelidae the most species rich and therefore diverse family in the order Carnivora Neotropical otter At the Corrientes Zoo Argentina Conservation status Near Threatened IUCN 3 1 1 CITES Appendix I CITES 2 Scientific classification Domain Eukaryota Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Carnivora Family Mustelidae Genus Lontra Species L longicaudis Binomial name Lontra longicaudis Olfers 1818 Neotropical otter range This otter is found in many different riverine habitats including deciduous and evergreen forests savannas llanos and pantanal It prefers to live in clear fast flowing rivers and streams It is a relatively solitary animal and feeds mostly on fish and crustaceans Contents 1 Taxonomy 1 1 Subspecies 2 Description 3 Distribution and habitat 4 Ecology and behaviour 4 1 Diet 4 2 Reproduction 4 3 Communication 4 4 Competition 5 Conservation 6 In captivity 7 References 8 Further readingTaxonomy editThe taxonomy of the genus Lontra has been debated but the use of Lontra rather than Lutra for New World otters is generally supported The Neotropical otter has a very wide range covering a large portion of South America so it is not surprising there are geographical structures separating some populations One such geographical isolation is the Cordillera Mountains Additionally the river in the Magdellena river valley flows north away from the mountains decreasing the likelihood that otters in the northern tip of South America will mix with otters elsewhere in the continent Neotropical otters have an unusual phylogenic relationship to other otter species They are most similar to marine otter Lontra felina and southern river otter Lontra provocax which is not surprising considering these two species are found in South America However Neotropical otters are relatively distantly related to giant otter Pteronura brasiliensis which is surprising considering they have nearly identical ecological niches and home ranges 4 Subspecies edit In one study otters within a 1 600 sq mi 4 100 km2 area in southern Brazil showed low nucleotide variation but high haplotype diversity compared to other otter species and other carnivores The study made the conclusion that otters may be undergoing a recent increase in diversity The results also show interrelatedness of otters nearby and give reason to separate the species into subspecies 5 Lontra longicaudis annectens Lontra longicaudis colombiana Lontra longicaudis enudris Lontra longicaudis incarum Lontra longicaudis longicaudis Lontra longicaudis raferrousDescription editThe Neotropical otter is covered in a short dark grayish brown pelage Fur color is lighter around the muzzle and throat 6 They possess a long wide tail with short stout legs and fully webbed toes Sexually dimorphic the males are about 25 larger than the females 7 Its head and body length can range from 36 66 centimetres 14 26 in plus a tail of 37 84 centimetres 15 33 in 3 Body mass of the otter generally ranges from 5 to 15 kilograms 11 33 pounds Neotropical otters will communicate with nearby otters via scent marking Communication may also occur via whistles hums and screeches 7 The dental formula seldom varies from that of Eurasian otters Lutra lutra except in the few cases of otters that have dental anomalies 8 Females and males have the same formula The dental formula for half the skull is as follows 9 Upper 3 incisors 1 canine 4 premolars and 1 molar Lower 3 incisors 1 canine 3 premolars and 2 molarsDistribution and habitat edit nbsp A neotropical otter in Bioparque Ukumari Colombia The Neotropical otter has the widest distribution of all the Lontra species Their habitat can range from northwest Mexico to central Argentina They prefer clear fast flowing rivers and are rarely known to settle in sluggish silt laden lowland waters or boggy areas While mostly occurring at 300 1 500 m 980 4 900 ft above sea level they have been found settled at 3 000 m 9 800 ft 10 They require dense riparian vegetation and abundant den sites but other than that the Neotropical otter is very versatile and tolerant to environmental change The otters prefer den sites that are solid high dry and in proximity to deep water 11 The Neotropical otter is the greatest generalist of all otter species In addition to rivers and streams they can settle in and exploit some rather formidable habitats such as wastewater treatment plants rice paddies sugar cane plantations estuaries deltas drainage ditches and sometimes swamps They can inhabit cold glacial lakes and streams in the Andes of Ecuador and Colombia 12 Neotropical otters will also venture to the seashore and beaches maintaining an almost brackish lifestyle hunting marine creatures and playing in the highly saline water 13 Ecology and behaviour editDiet edit The Neotropical otter s diet consists mostly of fish and crustaceans making up 67 and 28 respectively of its total diet The otter will also occasionally feed on mollusks and small mammals as well as birds large insects and fruits 14 15 This otter is known to occasionally attack fishnets for a source of prey hindering fishing productivity 13 Otters living near marine habitats can have a much higher proportion of crustaceans in their diets Seasonality also greatly affect otters food choice During the dry season when less fish and crustaceans are available one study found a higher proportion of frogs in otters diet Though during this time anurans and reptiles still made up a very small percentage of the total diet This might also be due to the fact that certain frogs mate during the dry season so the frogs are easier prey All in all the distribution of available food species in a particular area roughly correlates to the percentage of each species found in otters diet 16 Reproduction edit Breeding occurs mostly in spring Gestation will last 56 days and produce a litter of 1 5 pups 6 The pups are born blind yet fully furred They will emerge from their mother s nest when about 52 days and begin swimming at 74 days They are raised completely by their mother as males do not provide any parental care 11 The male will only spend a single day with the female during breeding season The female must keep her pups safe from predation by other Neotropical otters In one captive breeding situation cannibalism by the mother may have occurred though it was not confirmed 17 In an ecologically healthy area there are many possible shelters so an individual can choose its preferred den However studies show that not all possible shelters are occupied and not all shelters are equally utilized by Neotropical otters Otters visit different shelters with varying frequencies from once or few times per up to many times per year One factor that influences their preference for a den has to do with the water level especially during flood season when a den near water level can easily be washed away A den may be at the water level near the bank or more than 1 5 meters about the water level 18 There are many other factors influencing otters preferences for a shelter Neotropical otters prefer dens near fresh water high food availability and relatively deep and wide water During seasons with low water individual otters may be more clumped because they will all move into areas of a river with deeper water with more fish 18 Deep wide pools have been found to have a greater diversity of fish preferential for otters Some studies show that otters will forgo a less preferable but more available den like a muddy river bank to spend more time in a preferential den like a rocky shore 19 Neotropical otter females will rear pups in a den without a male In some cases a female may find a den that has space to keep her pups and a separate area for her own space A study of a male otter s movement over 35 days showed he used three different dens without communication between them Also this individual moved between two islands separated by a one kilometer wide estuary He spent some time in a site with heavy mud poor substrate for a den so he may have been on the move to find food 20 Dens may have more than one opening so the otter can easily exit to forage for food while staying safe from predators There are many classifications of dens that Neotropical otters may use A cavity among stones or under tree roots is preferred In certain parts of South America an otter may come across a limestone dissolution cavity or a cavity in a rocky wall Though lacking a source of light the Neotropical otter can make great use of this sturdy home As a last resort an otter expend energy to excavate a space among vegetation or a river bank though those homes are less sturdy Vegetative cover is also very important for the Neotropical otter In comparison to other otter dens the Neotropical otter dens do not have holes directly into the water they do not use plant material as bedding and will live in caves without light They are elusive creatures and prefer undisturbed forests without signs of human activity When humans clear forests for agricultural land the number of available otter habitats plummets 18 Communication edit Like other otter species Neotropical otters will mark their territory with scratching or spraint feces in obvious places like rocks and under bridges 21 Signs of marking may be most concentrated around their dens They tend to only mark in certain areas of the den separate from the activity center of the den In caves where a water sources may leak through the walls and wash away the scent the resident may mark areas inside their den 18 Competition edit The niches and ranges of the giant otter and the Neotropical otter overlap widely Both species are diurnal and mainly piscivorous The giant otter is less of a generalist in habitat preferring slow moving water and overhanging vegetation but where the Neotropical otter may also occur The giant otter is much larger and hunts in groups so it can take larger prey Some areas like the Pantanal have high enough productivity such that both otter species can coexist with little or no competition niche partitioning Additionally Neotropical otters prefer deeper and wider streams than giant otters 12 Conservation editThe Neotropical otter is listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN The species is currently protected in Argentina and many other South American countries Heavy hunting for its fur in the 1950s 1970s resulted in much local extinction over the otter s range Illegal hunting habitat destruction through mining and ranching and water pollution still affect the population of the Neotropical otter 22 Although there have been attempts at captive breeding these attempts have been largely unsuccessful 6 Most negative feelings about otters arise from fishermen who compete with the otter for fish More data is needed to determine how much overlap exists between the fishermen s desired catch and the otter s diet The highest competition between Neotropical otters and fishermen occurs during drought conditions Fishermen may move out of their regular fishing areas into deeper pools where the otter usually hunts in the absence of people In a study on local fishermen s attitudes the study revealed that fishermen s knowledge aligned with scientific data about the Neotropical otter s behavior body description and other data Because the fishermen s facts aligned with scientific knowledge scientists could then trust the fishermen s first hand accounts about problems they experience with otters Fishermen reported that otters will damage their fishing gear but do not damage crab and shrimp nets The locals have varying opinions about the otters presence from understanding they have to share space with the otters to wanting to kill the otters There have been proposals to subsidize their fish profits lost to otters However it might be more beneficial to pay them to collect data on the species This would benefit fishermen economically improve fishermen s attitude towards them and build on to currently insufficient data about this species Otters are rarely get caught in gillnets and when they do they very rarely die 23 Neotropical otters are threatened by habitat degradation associated with agriculture soil compaction pollution roadways and runoff Also when forests are cleared for cattle grazing heavy vegetation which is the otter s preferred habitat near streams is also cleared or trampled by cattle This species is a very important ecological indicator because they prefer ecologically rich aquatic habitats and have a low reproductive potential 19 In captivity editOne male and one female Neotropical otter were captured near Caucasia Colombia and taken to Santa Fe Zoological Park in 1994 and 1996 respectively Zoo staff observed the pair mating in the water then separated the animals The female had three births one was successful The infant deaths may have been unintentionally caused by the mother One idea suggested the mother s enclosure was too small and she had no access to water as she would have had in the wild The mother s gestation period was 86 days for two separate breeding events recorded at this zoo An 86 day gestation period is much longer than the previously accepted belief that gestation lasts around 60 days Two possible explanations are differences might exist between different subspecies or a later copulation may have occurred and not been observed Also this otter species might display short term variation in gestation periods 17 References edit Rheingantz M L Trinca C S 2015 Lontra longicaudis IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015 e T12304A21937379 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2015 2 RLTS T12304A21937379 en Retrieved 19 November 2021 Appendices CITES cites org Retrieved 2022 01 14 a b Berry K 2000 Lontra longicaudis Animal Diversity Web Trinca C S De Thoisy B Rosas F C W Waldemarin H F Koepfli K P Vianna J A Eizirik E 2012 Phylogeography and Demographic History of the Neotropical Otter Lontra longicaudis Journal of Heredity 103 4 479 92 doi 10 1093 jhered ess001 PMID 22589556 Trinca C S Waldemarin H F Eizirik E 2007 Genetic diversity of the Neotropical otter Lontra longicaudis Olfers 1818 in Southern and Southeastern Brazil Brazilian Journal of Biology 67 4 813 8 doi 10 1590 S1519 69842007000500003 PMID 18278347 a b c Bertonatti C and A Parera 1994 Lobito de rio Revista Vida Silvestre Nuestro libro rojo fundacion vida silvrestre Argentina Ficha No 34 a b Emmons Louise H Feer Francois 1997 09 02 Neotropical rainforest mammals A field guide 2nd ed Chicago University of Chicago Press pp 161 162 ISBN 978 0 226 20721 6 OCLC 44179508 Peters F B Coelho E L Vasconcelos B C E Roth P R O amp Christoff A U 2013 Dental anomalies in Lontra longicaudis carnivora mustelidae collected in southern Brazil IUCN Otter Specialist Group Bulletin 30 1 31 36 Melissen A 2000 Husbandry guidelines for Lutra lutra Otterspecialistgroup org Eisenberg J F Mammals of the neotropics The University of Chicago Press Chicago a b Parera A 1993 The Neotropical river otter Lutra longicaudis in Ibera Lagoon Argentina International Union for the Conservation of Nature Otter Specialist Group Bulletin 8 13 16 a b Munis M C amp Oliveira L F B 2011 Habitat use and food niche overlap by neotropical otter Lontra longicaudis and giant otter Pteronura brasiliensis in the Pantanal wetland Brazil The IUCN SSC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin 28 A 76 85 a b Alarcon G G amp Simones Lopes P C 2004 The Neotropical otter Lontra longicaudis feeding habits in a marine coastal area southern Brazil IUCN Otter Specialist Group Bulletin 21 1 24 30 Lontra longicaudis Neotropical River Otter The Online Guide to the Animals of Trinidad and Tobago Lontra longicaudis Neotropical river otter Animal Diversity Web Rheingantz M L Waldemarin H F Rodrigues L V Moulton T P 2011 Seasonal and spatial differences in feeding habits of the Neotropical otter Lontra longicaudis Carnivora Mustelidae in a coastal catchment of southeastern Brazil Zoologia Curitiba Impresso 28 37 44 doi 10 1590 S1984 46702011000100006 a b Arcila D A amp Ramirez M 2004 Captive reproduction of the Neotropical otter in the Santa Fe Zoological Park in Medellin Colombia The IUCN SSC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin 2 1 16 18 a b c d Pardini R 1999 Use of shelters by the neotropical river otter Lontra longicaudis in an Atlantic forest stream southeastern Brazil Journal of Mammalogy 80 2 600 610 doi 10 2307 1383304 JSTOR 1383304 a b Carrillo Rubio E amp Lafon A 2004 Neotropical river otter mico habitat preference in west central Chihuahua Mexico The IUCN SSC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin 21 1 10 15 Nakano Oliveira E Fusco R Dos Santos E A V amp Monteiro Filho E L A 2004 New information about the behavior of Lontra longicaudis carnivora Mustelidae by radio telemetry The IUCN SSC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin 21 1 31 35 Rheingantz M L Waldemarin H F amp Kasper C B 2004 Survey of Neotropical otters testing methods to access distribution The IUCN SSC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin 21A 1 Chehebar C 1990 Action plan for Latin American Otters pp 63 74 in Otters an action plan for their conservation Pat Foster Turley S M Macdonald Chris Mason eds IUCN SSC Otter Specialist Group Barbieri F Machado R Zappes C A Oliveira L R D 2012 Interactions between the Neotropical otter Lontra longicaudis and gillnet fishery in the southern Brazilian coast Ocean amp Coastal Management 63 16 23 Bibcode 2012OCM 63 16B doi 10 1016 j ocecoaman 2012 03 007 Further reading edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lontra longicaudis Neotropical otter nbsp Wikispecies has information related to Lontra longicaudis Mammalian Species No609 1 5 Lontra longicaudis Serge Lariviere 5 May 1999 by the American Society of Mammalogists Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Neotropical otter amp oldid 1217734315, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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