Notes on natural history and behavior of Monodelphis glirina (Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae) and sympatry with congeners

Notas sobre história natural e comportamento de Monodelphis glirina (Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae) e simpatria com congêneres

ABSTRACT

Monodelphis glirina is endemic to the Amazon and its life habits and natural history are poorly known. Data on the species were collected in northern Mato Grosso, Brazil, including observations on its behavior and simpatry with congeners. During 10 expeditions and with an effort of 3,680 buckets-day, 29 M. glirina, three M. saci and one M. emiliae individuals were captured. Adults accounted for 82.8% of M. glirina captures, with a sex ratio of three males for each female. Capture of young and lactating females was seasonal, as both were captured only in the rainy season. We observed three events of M. glirina preying on rodents in pitfall traps, all with the same feeding behavior. We also report an individual climbing a tree at night, including a video recording. Our report contributes to a better understanding of the ecology of this highly diversified and still poorly known genus.

KEYWORDS:
Amazon; biology; Mato Grosso; Amazonian red-sided opossum; Monodelphis saci; Monodelphis emiliae