The presence of the marsupial Dromiciops gliroides in Parque Nacional Los Alerces, Chubut, Southern Argentina, after the synchronous maturation and flowering of native bamboo and subsequent rodent irruption

A breeding population of the rare marsupial Dromiciops gliroides, the sole surviving member of the order Microbiotheria, has been discovered in Los Alerces National Park, Argentina—marking its southernmost known range in the country. This finding extends its distribution further south than previously documented and suggests the species thrives in Nothofagus forests, likely using tree hollows for refuge rather than constructing dreys. The study, conducted post a 70-year bamboo flowering event that triggered a rodent irruption, captured four adult Dromiciops gliroides, including two females with pouch young, indicating births occurred between late October and early November. Research suggests the species relies on insects during spring due to limited fruiting plants. Threats to this population include introduced predators and human activities such as farming and tourism.

Gurovich, Y., Stannard, H. J., & Old, J. M. (2015). The presence of the marsupial Dromiciops gliroides in Parque Nacional Los Alerces, Chubut, Southern Argentina, after the synchronous maturation and flowering of native bamboo and subsequent rodent irruption. Revista Chilena de Historia Natural, 88(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40693-015-0047-1