The Neotropical otter Lontra longicaudis: a comprehensive update on the current knowledge and conservation status of this semiaquatic carnivore

• Published in: Mammal review Vol. 47; no. 4; pp. 291 - 305
• Main Authors: Rheingantz, Marcelo Lopes, Santiago‐Plata, Victor Manuel, Trinca, Cristine Silveira
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.10.2017
• Subjects: Biological evolution; Classification; conservation; Conservation status; Current distribution; Ecology; Ecosystems; Environmental education; Environmental impact; Evolutionary conservation; Genetic diversity; Geography; Human influences; Lontra longicaudis; Mammals; Nature conservation; Neotropics; Offshore structures; Saline water; Salts; semiaquatic mammal; Species; Survival; Taxonomy; threats; Wildlife conservation
• ISSN: 0305-1838; 1365-2907
• DOI: 10.1111/mam.12098

The Neotropical otter Lontra longicaudis is a widespread semiaquatic carnivore living in a wide variety of environments in both fresh‐water and salt‐water ecosystems. We summarise the current knowledge on distribution, ecology, behaviour, evolution and conservation status of the species, and highlight the main threats that have been affecting it as well as priority actions for securing its survival. The current geographical range of Lontra longicaudis is discussed, as well as several efforts that have been made to update knowledge of the range. Throughout its known distribution area, the Neotropical otter has high genetic diversity, and recent molecular research suggests that variations in genetic diversity are related to geography. Taxonomic issues regarding the existence of subspecies persist, mainly due to limited sampling in key portions of the species’ range. Although the Neotropical otter is widely distributed in Latin America and has flexible behaviour, it is subjected to a variety of threats, which lead this otter to be officially considered Threatened in several countries within its geographical range. The species still faces an uncertain future due to the impact of human activities, thus justifying its classification as Near Threatened in the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List. The real level of human‐otter conflicts and the impact of modified environments on Neotropical otter populations are still unclear, and must be a priority focus of future studies. There is an urgent need to increase our knowledge on aspects of the Neotropical otter's biology, such as reproduction, generation time, behaviour, physiology, distribution limits, sanitary aspects, evolution and taxonomy. Understanding these topics is vital to ensure the long‐term survival of the species, both at the local and at the regional scale, as well as to provide the basis for environmental education actions involving local riverside human communities .