THE SOUTHERN RIVER OTTER LONTRA PROVOCAX IN THE PROVINCE OF CHUBUT: HISTORICAL DISTRIBUTION AND CURRENT SITUATION EL HUILLÍN LONTRA PROVOCAX EN LA PROVINCIA DEL CHUBUT: DISTRIBUCIÓN HISTÓRICA Y SITUACIÓN ACTUAL

FASOLA, LAURA; CHEHÉBAR, CLAUDIO; ROESLER, IGNACIO; BURIA, LEONARDO; PASTORE, HERNÁN; DARRÉ, ALICIA

MASTOZOOLOGí­A NEOTROPICAL

UNIDAD DE ZOOLOGÍA Y ECOLOGÍA ANIMAL, INSTITUTO ARGENTINO DE INVESTIGACIÓN DE LAS ZONAS ARIDAS, CRICYT, CONICET

Año: 2021 vol. 28

0327-9383

The present range of the southern river otter Lontra provocax in Argentinean continental Patagonia represents only c. 20 % of its original distribution, with only one known population that is found in the southwestern area of the Río Limay basin (border between Neuquén and Río Negro provinces). Based on bibliography, we reconstruct the historic distribution of the species in Chubut, we compile information on its potential and confirmed presence and report a new sighting for the province. Finally, we analyze these sightings in relation to the original situation and its relevance for the restoration of the southern river otter populations of Chubut province.