Rev. biol. mar. oceanogr. 47(3): 593-597

Nota Científica

Sinantropía y conservación marina: el caso del chungungo Lontra felina en el sur de Chile

 Jaime A. Cursach^1,2, Jaime R. Rau^2,3, Francisco Ther¹, Jonnathan Vilugrón² & Claudio N. Tobar^2,4

¹Laboratorio de Investigación Socioambiental, Programa ATLAS, Departamento de Ciencias Sociales, Universidad de Los Lagos, Casilla 933, Osorno, Chile

²Laboratorio de Ecología, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad de Los Lagos, Casilla 933, Osorno, Chile

³Programa IBAM, Universidad de Los Lagos, Casilla 933, Osorno, Chile

4Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Santo Tomás, Los Carrera 753, Osorno, Chile

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We describe the synanthropic behavior of Lontra felina along its geographic distribution. The marine otter used fishing ports infrastructure for shelter and food. It forages on the remains of fish discarded by fishermen. Identified threats to the conservation of this species in synanthropy include incidental mortality in fisheries and persecution by domestic animals. The opportunities are creating niche food and shelter, which favor the permanence and population growth. Finally, we identify the important variables to consider in future studies on synanthropy of this marine mammal in the socio­ecological systems.

Key words:  Adaptation, opportunism, fishermen, urbanization

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