This largely nocturnal marsupial feeds primarily on a variety of insects and other invertebrates as it forages in trees and bushes (5), but will consumes fruit. Research suggests that the monito del monte may disperse the seeds of 80 percent of the surrounding plants that have fleshy fruits (6), as the seeds pass through the monito's gut undamaged, and thus this small animal plays a vital role in the temperate forests it inhabits (4). Additionally, it is the sole seed disperser of the mistletoe Tristerix corymbosus; the seeds of this mistletoe must pass through the gut of the marsupial for germination to take place and for the development of a 'holdfast', which enables the plant to adhere to a host tree (6). The future of the mistletoe is therefore intrinsically linked to that of the monito del monte. Monito del montes reportedly live in pairs, at least during the breeding season (2). The monito mates in late winter to early spring, and females give birth in early November (7). The size of the litter is limited by the number of teats, and so the average litter size is two to four. The young remain in the pouch, firmly affixed to the mother's teats for the first two months of life. From late December, the young will begin to leave the pouch for short exploratory excursions, which gradually increase in frequency and duration, whilst continuing to suckle from the mother. Eventually, juveniles accompany the mother on night time foraging trips, and by the end of March, they range free from their mother (7). Monito del montes become sexually mature in their second year (2). In the harsh environment in which they live, the monito del monte requires a number of adaptations to the cold. Its dense fur and small, well-furred ears prevent heat loss (2) (3), and they sleep in nests constructed under the shelter of overhanging rocks, fallen tree trunks or amongst the roots of trees. The nests are constructed from water repellent leaves and are often covered with protective and warm moss. During winter when temperatures drop further and food is scarce, the monito del monte enters hibernation. Before hibernation, the base of the tail swells with an accumulation of fat, and the heart rate drops from 230 beats per minute to less than 30 per minute (2).

The monito del monte, or 'monkey of the mountains', is not a monkey, but a South American marsupial, which has often been called a 'living fossil' due to it being the only living member of an otherwise extinct order, the Microbiotheria (3). In appearance it looks similar to a large mouse, with silky, short, dense fur that is fawn-grey on the upperparts and dirty yellowish-white underneath. The pale grey face has distinct black rings around the eyes, and the crown and nape of the neck are shaded cinnamon. The ears of the monito del monte are short, rounded and covered with short hair, and its robust limbs relate to its slow, ponderous movements. The tail, which is thick at the base and tapers to a tip, is thickly furred with fawn-coloured fur at the base, turning to straighter dark brown fur towards the tip (2). Females are, on average, significantly longer and heavier than males (4), and like most other marsupials, females can also be distinguished by their distinct abdominal pouch with four mammae, in which the tiny young will develop and grow (2).

Only found in southern and central Chile, to the south of Concepcion and on the island of Chiloe, and adjacent Argentina. It was recently captured in Argentina in Lake Nahuel Huapi National Park (Birney et al., in press).

Dromiciops gliroides (monito del monte) is found in southern South America, specifically the northern portions of Patagonia, between 36 and 43 degrees South latitude. In addition to mainland South America, it is found on Chiloe Island.

Biogeographic Regions: neotropical (Native )

Occurs in south-central Chile, from Concepción south to Chiloé Island, and east to the mountains slightly beyond the Argentine border (2).

Monitos del monte are small, mouse-like marsupials. Body length (excluding the tail) is between 83 and 130 mm; the tail is between 90 and 132 mm long. This species weighs between 16 and 42 g.

They are superficially mouse-like, with a short rostrum and small, rounded ears. The pelage is short and dense. While the majority of the body is brown to gray in color, white patches can be found on the shoulders and rump. Ventral pelage is lighter in color than dorsal pelage, and ranges from yellowish white to pale gray. Although a whorling pattern is sometimes visible, the most distinct pelage characteristic is the pronounced black eye rings. The tail is moderately prehensile and well-furred, except for a 25 to 30 mm naked underside portion which may improve traction when the animal grasps tree branches.

This species resembles Marmosa species, but possesses shorter limbs, more robust hands and feet, more semicircular upper incisors, and smaller, furrier ears.

Seasonal variation and sexual dimorphism has been observed in Dromiciops gliroides. A study of monitos del monte in Patagonia found that, by the end of summer, females are significantly heavier and longer than males. Although both sexes use their tails are storage organs, females tend to have thicker tails; this suggests that females have higher energy needs during times of hibernation or torpor. While variation in tail thickness is seasonal, it is unclear if females are larger than males year-round.

Geographic variation has also been reported in this species. Previously, two subspecies were recognized based on geography. Mainland monitos del monte were referred to Dromiciops australis australis and those from Chiloe Island were referred to Dromiciops australis gliroides. However, the only noticeable difference in appearance between these types is that island monitos del monte have darker pelage. Due to insufficient distinguishing characters between mainland and island populations, separate subspecies are no longer recognized as distinct.

Range mass: 16 to 42 g.

Range length: 83 to 130 mm.

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: female larger

Habitat and Ecology

Systems

• Terrestrial

Dromiciops gliroides is found in temperate forests and rainforests. It is mainly found in old-growth Nothofagus forests, but can be found in a variety of habitats ranging from dense thickets of bamboo (Chusquea spp.) to open, secondary forests.

A study of small mammals at elevations from 425 to 1135 m above sea level in Chile found that Dromiciops gliroides was captured more often at higher elevations (between 820 and 1135 m) than at lower elevations (425 to 715 m).

Range elevation: 425 to 1135 m.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial

Terrestrial Biomes: forest ; rainforest

The monito del monte inhabits dense, cool, humid forests, where it favours thickets of Chilean bamboo (Chusquea species) (2).

Monitos del monte are primarily insectivorous, eating insects, larvae, and pupae found on tree branches and in crevices in bark. Moths and butterflies (Lepidoptera) also make up a large part of their diet. During the austral summer, monitos del monte consume large quantities of mistletoe (Tristerix corymbosus) fruits and other fleshy fruits.

In captivity, monitos del monte eat a wide variety of food, including fruits, vegetables, potatoes, oats, invertebrates, vertebrates, meat, fish, eggs, and cheese.

Animal Foods: insects; terrestrial non-insect arthropods

Plant Foods: fruit

Primary Diet: carnivore (Insectivore )

In the temperate forests of Patagonia, Dromiciops gliroides is the sole seed dispersal agent of the mistletoe Tristerix corymbosus. The seeds pass undamaged through the digestive tract and are deposited directly onto the bark of host trees. In fact, passage though the gut of D. gliroides is necessary for the seeds to germinate and important for seedling recruitment. This mutualism may have evolved over the last 70 million years, and remains important for biodiversity today. Field observations and captivity studies also found that D. gliroides is capable of dispersing the seeds of the majority of fleshy fruit-producing plant species in the region, including Aristotelia chilensis and Azara microphylla; other small mammals destroy the seeds they consume from these plant species. Mistletoe, a parasitic climbing plant species, is important for maintaining understory plant diversity and facilitating ecosystem processes such as nutrient cycling. Additionally, nearly 100 families of birds and mammals rely on mistletoe for fruit, nectar, and nesting material. Disruption of the mistletoe-monito del monte mutualism could cause extinctions, decreased biodiversity, and increased community susceptibility to drought.

Ecosystem Impact: disperses seeds; keystone species

Mutualist Species:

• Tristerix corymbosus
• Aristotelia chilensis
• Azara microphylla

Commensal/Parasitic Species:

• Hepatozoon sp.
• Ixodes neuquenensis

Predators of Dromiciops gliroides include native and introduced birds and mammals, particularly domestic cats (Felis catus). Studies have estimated that monitos del monte make up 10% of the diet of gray foxes (Lycalopex griseus), 3.6% of the diet of Darwin's foxes (Pseudalopex fulvipes), and a small portion of the diet of barn owls (Tyto alba). Monitos del monte produce strong smelling secretions from cutaneous glands, which may deter predators. They also exhibit a threat posture with teeth exposed, particularly if aroused from torpor.

Known Predators:

• domestic cats (Felis catus)
• South American gray foxes (Lycalopex griseus)
• Darwin's foxes (Lycalopex fulvipes)
• barn owls (Tyto alba)

Anti-predator Adaptations: cryptic

Monitos del monte communicate via sound. At night they produce trilling calls that end in a coughing noise as well as buzzing noises. Other modes of communication are not known. Similarly, although males and females form pairs during the breeding season, population and social structure during other times of the year are unknown.

Communication Channels: acoustic

Perception Channels: visual ; acoustic

Although the lifespan of Dromiciops gliroides in the wild is unknown, the longest lifespan in captivity is 26 months.

Range lifespan

Status: captivity: 26 (high) months.

Observations: Not much is known about the longevity of these animals but they live at least 3 years, probably longer.

Monitos del monte become sexually mature after their second year and breed in the austral spring (August to September). Breeding pairs form shortly beforehand. They are not known whether these pairs persist after mating.

Mating System: monogamous

Monitos del monte typically reach sexual maturity at age 2 and breed once yearly. Males and females form pairs and mate in August or September. Before parturition occurs, females construct small, rounded nests (about 200 mm in diameter) from sticks and water-repellent bamboo. These nests are located 1 to 2 m above the ground. Young are born approximately 3 to 4 weeks after conception and climb into the well-developed, anteroventral opening of the marsupium, where they remain attached to one of the four teats for approximately 2 months. Litters of up to 5 young have been reported, but females are unable to feed more than 4 offspring at a time. Although the young begin to exit the marsupium for short durations beginning in December, they do not become completely independent until March.

Breeding interval: Monitos del monte breed once yearly.

Breeding season: Monitos del monte breed in the austral spring (August to September).

Range number of offspring: 1 to 5.

Range gestation period: 3 to 4 weeks.

Average weaning age: 5 months.

Average time to independence: 5 months.

Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 1 to 2 years.

Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 1 to 2 years.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); viviparous

Average number of offspring: 3.

Female monitos del monte suckle their altricial young for approximately 5 months (from early November to late March). Prior to the independence of offspring, females carry them in the marsupia or on their backs during "nocturnal family excursions."

Parental Investment: altricial ; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-independence (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female)

The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species. 

 
There are 2 barcode sequences available from BOLD and GenBank.  Below is a sequence of the barcode region Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI or COX1) from a member of the species.  See the BOLD taxonomy browser for more complete information about this specimen and other sequences.
 

Download FASTA File

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 2
Species: 3
Species With Barcodes: 1

Although currently classified as near threatened on the IUCN Red List, Dromiciops gliroides is threatened by an increasing number of anthropogenic activities. The introduction of species such as domestic cats (Felis catus), deforestation, and cattle grazing are associated with decreased abundances of monitos del monte and habitat fragmentation. A study of forest fragmentation found that human activity can reduce preferred tree types and increase susceptibility to predation. Monitos del monte, like many small mammals, are unable to cross even small deforested areas. Monitos del monte are also hosts to blood parasites (Hepatozoon) and ticks (Ixodes neuquenensis), which can further reduce the numbers of these important marsupials.

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

State of Michigan List: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: near threatened

Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List 2007 (1).

Population

Population Trend

Major Threats

Over recent years, the monito del monte population has declined, probably due to the loss of its already limited habitat (1). The forests of south-central Chile face severe pressure from human activities and development. For many years, forests have been cut for timber and fuelwood, and since the 1970s, large swathes of forest have been cleared for pine and eucalyptus plantations. Urbanisation, in the form of tourism developments and the construction of highways and hydroelectric complexes, also impacts the natural habitat in this region (8). The presence of the introduced murine rat (Rattus norvegicus) in some areas is also worrying (9).

Conservation Actions

The monito del monte occurs in at least two protected areas, the Reserva Nacional Los Ruiles (9) and the Valdivian Coastal Range Reserve, Chile. The Valdivian Coastal Range Reserve was created in 2005 by The Nature Conservancy, WWF, Conservation International and local conservation organisations, and protects 12 percent of the rare temperate rainforest of the region (10) (8), offering important protection for the habitat of the monito del monte. In addition, scientists on the island of Chiloé are researching the ecology and natural history of this species (11); such information is required to inform future conservation actions, and will hopefully ensure the survival of this fascinating 'living fossil'.

In Chile, there are several superstitions about Dromiciops gliroides. For example, monitos del monte are erroneously described as bad luck, venomous, and causes of disease. In extreme cases, people have burned their houses down after seeing monitos del monte in their places of residence. However, monitos del monte have no negative effects on humans.

Monitos del monte play a key role in seed dispersal for fleshy fruit-producing plants in temperate forests; these mutualisms are important for the maintenance of biodiversity. Monitos del monte may also be important for reducing insect pests.

Positive Impacts: controls pest population