Ecology and Behaviour of the Southern River Otter Lontra provocax Thomas 1908 in Chile

The conducted study on the southern river otter Lontra provocax presents for the first time substantial data and analyses on preferred habitat components, activity pattern, prey availability, diet composition and potential food competitors, as well as a first attempt in age determination. Three southern river otter (1,2) were successfully equipped with radio transmitter. Both females were classified as resident whereas the male southern river otter was classified as temporary resident. Home range (FK 95) was 14358 m and 17675 m respectively. As only one home range was accessible for habitat analysis, the preferred habitat structures were analysed. Thus the plant Chusquea quila is most important for den sites in anthropogenic modified areas. In natural habitat dens were encountered under big trees and overhanging roots. Hunting areas in anthropogenic modified regions show considerably more woody debris than non-hunting areas, as the main prey the crayfish Samastacus spinifrons hides in this substrate. Most of their time southern river otter spent in their dens (60 %). Lontra provocax show cathemeral behaviour and when being active, the time bouts of movement behaviour averaged 2:18 hours.The crustacean species Samastacus spinifrons was the most encountered aquatic prey species in abundance and in total biomass in the river Queule and in the diet of Lontra provocax. Likewise fish may play an important role to meet the southern river otter s daily metabolic requirements. Monthly collected water samples even close to villages, had physico-chemical parameter values well below critical or toxic levels on aquatic species. Age determination was conducted on four male skulls of southern river otter. Tooth wears; tooth abrasions; dental pulp; relative width of dental pulp, incremental cementum lines and sutures of the skull were used for age determination. The animals were classified as juvenile (1), subadult-adult (1) and senior (2)