The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™
ISSN 2307-8235 (online)
IUCN 2008: T11856A3309716
Lestodelphys halli, Patagonian Opossum
Assessment by: Costa, L., Astua de Moraes, D., Brito, D., Soriano, P., Lew, D. &
Delgado, C
View on www.iucnredlist.org
Citation: Costa, L., Astua de Moraes, D., Brito, D., Soriano, P., Lew, D. & Delgado, C. 2008.
Lestodelphys halli. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008: e.T11856A3309716.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T11856A3309716.en
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THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™
Taxonomy
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Animalia
Chordata
Mammalia
Didelphimorphia
Didelphidae
Taxon Name: Lestodelphys halli (Thomas, 1921)
Common Name(s):
• English:
• French:
• Spanish:
Patagonian Opossum
Opossum De Patagonie
Comadrejita Patagónica
Assessment Information
Red List Category & Criteria:
Least Concern ver 3.1
Year Published:
2008
Date Assessed:
June 30, 2008
Justification:
This species is listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, presumed large population, and
because it is unlikely to be declining at nearly the rate required to qualify for listing in a threatened
category.
Previously Published Red List Assessments
1996 – Vulnerable (VU)
Geographic Range
Range Description:
Restricted to southern and central Argentina (Gardner . Ranging from the province of Mendoza in the
north to Santa Cruz in the south, the species is found in xeric environments of the Patagonia and Monte
phytogeographic provinces.
Country Occurrence:
Native: Argentina
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Lestodelphys halli – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T11856A3309716.en
1
Distribution Map
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Lestodelphys halli – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T11856A3309716.en
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Population
L. halli, is known from a few skeletons of captured animals and several isolated fragments recovered
from owl pellets in Argentina. Recently, more than 300 remains were found in owl pellets and associated
bones, comprising the largest known collection of L. halli (Martin 2005).
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
Habitat and Ecology (see Appendix for additional information)
Inhabits treeless, grassland (pampas) areas. The diet probably consists of mice, small birds, and, where
present, insects and fruit. Anatomical features of this opossum, such as the skull, suggest that it is more
carnivorous than its relatives. One specimen was caught in a trap with a bird in its mouth.
Systems: Terrestrial
Threats
There are no major threats to this species. Some populations are threatened by livestock and
agriculture.
Conservation Actions (see Appendix for additional information)
Occurs in several protected areas. Further research is needed to determine the distribution of the
species.
Credits
Assessor(s):
Costa, L., Astua de Moraes, D., Brito, D., Soriano, P., Lew, D. & Delgado, C
Reviewer(s):
Amori, G. (Small Nonvolant Mammal Red List Authority) & Schipper, J. (Global
Mammal Assessment Team)
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Lestodelphys halli – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T11856A3309716.en
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Bibliography
Gardner, A. L. 2008. Order Didelphimorphia. In: A. L. Gardner (ed.), Mammals of South America, pp. 669.
University of Chicago Press, Chicago, USA.
Citation
Costa, L., Astua de Moraes, D., Brito, D., Soriano, P., Lew, D. & Delgado, C. 2008. Lestodelphys halli. The
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008: e.T11856A3309716.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T11856A3309716.en
Disclaimer
To make use of this information, please check the Terms of Use.
External Resources
For Images and External Links to Additional Information, please see the Red List website.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Lestodelphys halli – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T11856A3309716.en
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Appendix
Habitats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Habitat
Season
Suitability
Major
Importance?
3. Shrubland -> 3.4. Shrubland - Temperate
-
Suitable
-
4. Grassland -> 4.4. Grassland - Temperate
-
Suitable
-
Conservation Actions in Place
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Conservation Actions in Place
In-Place Land/Water Protection and Management
Occur in at least one PA: Yes
Research Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Research Needed
1. Research -> 1.2. Population size, distribution & trends
1. Research -> 1.3. Life history & ecology
Additional Data Fields
Population
Population severely fragmented: No
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Lestodelphys halli – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T11856A3309716.en
5
The IUCN Red List Partnership
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is produced and managed by the IUCN Global Species
Programme, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and The IUCN Red List Partnership. The IUCN
Red List Partners are: BirdLife International; Botanic Gardens Conservation International; Conservation
International; Microsoft; NatureServe; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Sapienza University of Rome; Texas
A&M University; Wildscreen; and Zoological Society of London.
THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™