Lestoros inca (Thomas, 1917)

Russell A. Mittermeier & Don E. Wilson, 2015, Caenolestidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 5 Monotremes and Marsupials, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 188-197 : 196

6.

Incan Shrew-opossum

Lestoros inca

French: Cénoleste du Pérou / German: Peruanische Opossummaus / Spanish: Raton marsupial andino

Other common names: Incan Caenolestid, Peruvian Shrew-opossum

Taxonomy. Orolestes inca Thomas, 1917 ,

“ Torontoy , 14,000 feet ” Cuzco, Peru.

Lestoros inca was originally described under the generic name Orolestes, which was already used for a dragonfly; G. H. H. Tate in 1934 proposed Cryptolestes, which was also preoccupied by a beetle. P. H. Oehser in 1934 proposed the valid name Lestoros . The specific epithet gracilis was proposed for shrew-opossums from various localities to the south and east of the type localitybut recent analyses indicate there is little appreciable clinal or intraspecific variation. As a result, gracilis is regarded as a synonym of inca . Monotypic.

Distribution. Over headwaters of four drainage systems along the E slope of the Andes from Ocobamba, Cusco Region (SE Peru) to Llamachaqui, La Paz Department (W Bolivia).

Descriptive notes. Head-body 9-12 cm, tail 10.5-13.5 cm, hindfoot 2.2-2.4 cm; weight 20-35 g. Male Incan Shrew-opossums are slightly larger than females. The Incan Shrew-opossum differs from other genera of shrew-opossums in having an inflated nasofrontal region, a thickened anterior root to the zygomata, a diastema between upper incisors and canine, a minute or missing first premolar, a large lower third incisor, and double-rooted canines in both sexes. It is gentle in the hand. Itis host to a number of ectoparasitic mites, at least one chewing louse (Cummingsia maculata), and a roundworm (Pterygodermatites hymanae). Its parasitic associations are especially interesting: six of the 29 species of the mite genus Prolistrophorus are associated with the Incan Shrewopossum, while the other 23 species parasitize various Neotropical rodents.

Habitat. Upper cloud forest and wet elfin forest to highly disturbed Baccharis (Asteraceae) scrub. Incan Shrew-opossums are abundant at the ecotone of elfin forest and “pajonal,” a grassy and shrubby formation present at tree line in the central Andes. In Manu National Park and Biosphere Reserve, they occur at elevations of 2190-3350 m; nearby (26 km by road north-west of Ollantaytambo and in Cuzco), they occur at elevations up to 3700 m.

Food and Feeding. Incan Shrew-opossums eat insects and other small invertebrates.

Breeding. Female Incan Shrew-opossums in Manu were lactating in November and March. Females typically have four inguinal mammae, but they sometimes possess a median fifth on the abdomen.

Activity patterns. Incan Shrew-opossums are active, both in the wet season and dry season.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Incan Shrew-opossums are readily captured in traps set among tree roots or in runways and baited with peanut butter and oatmeal, sardines, or meat.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Incan Shrew-opossum hasa relatively large distribution;it occurs in a variety of habitats, river drainages, and protected areas, and it is presumed to have a large total population. It is unlikely to be declining in numbers.

Bibliography. Bochkov (2011), Bublitz (1987), Fain & Lukoschus (1977), Goff (1982, 1987), Jiménez & Patterson (2012), Kirsch & Waller (1979), Martin (2013), Myers & Patton (2007), Oehser (1934), Solari et al. (2006), Tate (1934), Thomas (1917).

Figures

1. Gray-bellied Shrew-opossum (Caenolestes caniventer), 2. Condor Shrew-opossum (Caenolestes condorensis), 3. Blackish Shrew-opossum (Caenolestes convelatus), 4. Dusky Shrew-opossum (Caenolestes fuliginosus), 5. Sangay Shrew-opossum (Caenolestes sangay), 6. Incan Shrew-opossum (Lestoros inca), 7. Long-nosed Shrew-opossum (Rhyncholestes raphanurus)

Distribution. Over headwaters of four drainage systems along the E slope of the Andes from Ocobamba, Cusco Region (SE Peru) to Llamachaqui, La Paz Department (W Bolivia).