A comparison of the diet and distribution of southern river otter (Lutra provocax) and mink (Mustela vison) in Southern Chile

Abstract

In Chile, between latitudes 39°S and 43°30'S, southern river otter (Lutra provocax) and introduced mink (Mustela vison) scats were collected. Mink sign was recorded in 29% of the aquatic habitat where otter sign was found. Sixty-eight per cent of mink scats were collected at otter rest sites. A significant difference between the diets and low percentage of habitat use overlap of the two species (5-22%) suggest that, in Chile, fiver otter and mink coexist with little competition for space or food. There are no data supporting a relationship between the introduction of mink and the decline of southern river otters.