Project

Rare and Threatened Species

in focus

main species

Matamico White

Daptrius albogularis

Scope of the project

Rata Vizcacha

Tympanoctomys kirchnerorum

Scope of the project

context

Rare and Threatened Species Project

The main objective of the Patagonia Program is to promote research and conservation of Patagonian species and environments. For this reason, our strategy is to generate new projects through our own development, but mainly through collaboration with other research and conservation groups. It is almost a rule that most of the endemic species of Patagonia are poorly known and in general are threatened or suffer several common threats among them. Also, the objective is to expand the research areas for some species that were studied but in specific localities.

patagonia in action program

Lines of research

Rata Vizcacha de Kirchner: distribution and conservation of an atypical rodent in Chubut

Responsible

Morgan Pendaries

State

Active

Target

Kirchner's Vizcacha Rat is a species of the genus Tympanoctomys that includes four species, all endemic to Argentina. Until the beginning of this project Kirchner's Vizcacha rat was known only from the type locality, Estancia La Porfía in central Chubut, where the species was discovered in 2000 and described in 2008. The objectives of this project are to confirm the persistence of the Estancia La Porfía population, detect new populations in the Arroyo Perdido watershed and beyond, as well as to attempt to identify optimal habitat, identify potential threats and categorize the species in the red lists.

methodology

This line of research is concentrated in the area near the type locality of the species, in the valley of the Chubut River and the basin of Arroyo Perdido in central Chubut. As a first step, we searched for burrows on foot, searching among the bushes of zampa(Atriplex sp.), a halophilous shrub on which the Kirchner's viscacha rat feeds. In addition, we installed camera traps at the entrance of the burrows we detected in order to capture images or videos of the species, which in addition to confirming its presence helps us collect data that will provide important information about its behavior, activity rhythm, etc. Vizcacha rat burrows are distinguished from those of other rodents by their semi-circular entrance and the large amount of plant material (branches, leaves, etc.) that accumulate at the entrance. Through the collection and analysis of pellets we were also able to determine if the rat is present in other nearby areas where we did not find burrows.

partners

- The project is financed by ZGAP.
- Oscar Calvo, owner of Estancia La Porfía, is an essential local supporter of the project.

results and progress

The first field campaign was conducted in May 2024, although no results have been published yet.

Getting to know the Matamico Blanco: population status and aspects of its natural history

Responsible

Technical Team & Carola

State

Active

Target

The main objective of this project is to learn about aspects of the ecology and natural history of this little known species of caracara, with the ultimate goal of providing information to know the real status of their populations. Specifically, the first stage of the work is aimed at knowing aspects of the biology, mainly reproductive, through the study of the known nests in the high plateaus. Also, and in parallel, we will try to know the diet and behavior of adults and juveniles.

methodology

This first project was carried out in the high plateaus of western Santa Cruz, with special emphasis on the plateaus of Lago Buenos Aires and Lago Strobel. We conducted regular monitoring of nests, through direct observations and camera traps. At the same time, we collected and analyzed remains of prey and pellets in the nests, to indirectly know the presence of resources used by adults to feed their chicks. As a third strategy, we used camera traps in carcasses located in sectors close to the identified nests to determine adult visitation rates. Finally, we banded juveniles and adults to determine site fidelity and dispersal.

partners

The project is developed jointly with Dr. Juan Manuel Grande, from COLBEC (Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences of the National University of La Pampa, Institute of Earth and Environmental Sciences CONICET-UNLPam).

Results and Progress

The results of the first investigations have been published recently (2023), where we reported novel aspects about the distribution, nesting and diet of the species.

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