Because this species is small and nocturnal, communication between individuals is likely primarily olfactory in nature. Palma (1997) reports that the olfactory and visual regions of this species' brain are especially well developed.
Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
Thylamys elegans is considered "least concern" by the IUCN.
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
State of Michigan List: no special status
This species likely has little direct impact on humans.
This species likely has little direct impact on humans.
Thylamys elegans acts as an important predator of many arthropod species and some small vertebrates. It is prey to several bird and medium-sized mammals, such as owls and foxes. It is likely host to many ecto- and endoparasites. More specific information about the ecosystem role of Thylamys elegans is not presently available.
Like other Thylamys species, Thylamys elegans primarily consumes insects, although it occasionally eats small vertebrates, leaves, fruit, seeds, and carrion (Palma 1997).
Animal Foods: birds; mammals; amphibians; reptiles; carrion ; terrestrial non-insect arthropods
Plant Foods: leaves; seeds, grains, and nuts; fruit
Primary Diet: carnivore (Insectivore )
Thylamys elegans appears to be restricted to central Chile, but further surveys are needed to determine the limits of its distribution (Giarla et al., 2010).
Biogeographic Regions: neotropical (Native )
Thylamys elegans primarily inhabits the Chilean Matorral, an ecoregion characterized by a Mediterranean climate and sclerophyllous vegetation. The Atacama desert lies to the north of the Matorral, and Thylamys elegans might inhabit parts of this habitat as well.
Range elevation: 0 to 1000 m.
Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: desert or dune ; chaparral ; scrub forest
No published records of lifespan exist for this species.
Like other members of its genus, Thylamys elegans is notable for its incrassate (fattened) tail. The size of the tail varies by season in accordance with food availability. This species is tricolored, with darker dorsal fur, paler lateral fur, and a cream-colored ventral region. Giarla et al. (2010) report body lengths of 90 to 127 mm, with tails 105 to 134 mm long. Although this species is a marsupial, females do not have a pouch (Palma, 1997). Bozinovic et al. (2005) report a basal metabolic rate of 1.07 mL oxygen per gram-hour-ºC
Range length: 195 to 261 mm.
Average basal metabolic rate: 1.07 cm3.O2/g/hr.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Like other small mammals, Thylamys elegans is likely well adapted to avoiding predators by being nocturnal and inconspicuous.
Known Predators:
Anti-predator Adaptations: cryptic
Little is known about the mating system in Thylamys elegans. Palma (1997) reports that two adults have never been found in the same nest, suggesting that this species does not form monogamous breeding pairs.
Breeding season for Thylamys elegans occurs from September through March, with females having one or two litters per season. Up to 17 embryos have been reported, but survival is limited by the number of functional nipples on the female, which is typically 11 to 13 (Palma, 1997).
Breeding interval: Thylamys elegans has one or two litters per breeding season
Breeding season: Breeding occurs from September to March.
Range number of offspring: 17 (high) .
Average number of offspring: 12.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; viviparous
Little is known about parental care in Thylamys elegans. Like other Thylamys species, females lack a pouch and exposed young cling to the nipples.
Parental Investment: altricial ; female parental care ; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Protecting: Female)
