Extinction has been a natural process that has occurred throughout the evolutionary history of the planet's biodiversity. Hundreds of species failed to adapt to environmental changes, so they disappeared permanently. However, since human beings began to populate the Earth en masse, the issue of extinction has taken on another meaning, since, for centuries, we have been the cause of the disappearance of animals globally.
Certain species become totally extinct, but others do so locally, which makes it possible to reintroduce them and seek their recovery. In this article on our site we talk about the extinct animals in Argentina, which, in some cases and favorably, still exist in other regions.
Malvinas Wolf (Dusicyon australis)
Also known as guará, the Malvinas wolf is one of the extinct animals in Argentina. It was a type of canid that lived in the archipelago off the coast of the aforementioned country. Charles Darwin himself, between 1833 and 1834, saw this wolf, since it is estimated that became extinct around 1876 due to the mass killing generated by the colonists of the time. It was described as a docile animal without fear of humans, medium in size and similar to a fox.
Single-striped Opossum (Monodelphis unistriata)
Also called short-tailed with a groove, this type of opossum, native to Argentina and Brazil, was identified and described from two specimens in the 19th century. Since then, no further confirmed sightings or captures have been made of it, however, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reports it as critically endangered (possibly extinct).
Everything seems to indicate that this last denomination would be the current one, but further studies are awaited for its verification. Both agriculture and logging could have been the reasons for the extinction of this animal.
Giant fossorial rat (Gyldenstolpia fronto)
This rodent endemic to Argentina is considered possibly extinct by the IUCN, because since 1896 there have been no sightings of it, year in which it was described from fossil remains. It is estimated that it was restricted to the province of Chaco, associated with ecosystems with the presence of freshwater bodies, but there are no further details about its ecology and possible causes of extinction.
Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis)
This mammal belongs to the mustelid order and is the largest within the group, being endemic to South America. Although it has a wide distribution range throughout the region, its general conservation status is in danger of extinction, but particularly in Argentina it is reported as extinct or almost extinct. The main threat facing the giant otter is heavy habitat destruction.
Continental wolf-fox (Dusicyon avus)
It was related to the Malvinas wolf, although it was also present in Brazil, Chile and Uruguay. It is one of the recently extinct animals in Argentina, which is estimated to have disappeared in parallel to the colonization of Europeans, some 324-496 years ago.
It developed in the Pampas and Patagonia regions. The causes that led this animal to extinction were changes in its habitat, hybridization with dogs and direct killing.
Brown-throated Sloth (Bradypus variegatus)
This type of sloth of the order Pilosa is classified as least concern by the IUCN due to its wide distribution, which ranges from central to southern America. However, it is reported as an extinct or extirpated animal in Argentina.
General threats to the species include habitat modification, hunting, and trade for sale as a pet.
Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)
The giant anteater also belongs to the order Pilosa and its traditional distribution range was from Central America to the south of the continent. However, the great pressure on the species has placed it in the category of vulnerable, but possibly locally extinct in several regions including Córdoba and Entre Ríos de Argentina.
This animal suffers a terrible impact caused by hunting, commercialization and habitat modification, which includes vegetation fires that cause its dramatic death.
Collared peccary (Pecari tajacu)
The collared peccary is a mammal of the even-toed ungulate group, which has an appearance similar to that of a pig. Its range is from the southern United States to the tip of the continent, giving it least concern status. But in certain areas it suffers significant pressure from hunting and marketing for consumption, which has led to its local extinction in Argentina, specifically in the eastern and southern regions, where it was originally developed in the country.
Glaucous Macaw (Anodorhynchus glaucus)
It is a bird native to Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, which according to the IUCN is considered critically endangered, possibly extinct. By the mid-nineteenth century it was rare to see it and the last records of sightings were in Uruguay between 1990 and 2001, so its extirpation is estimated mainly due to the modification of the habitat and commercialization of this beautiful parrot.
Eskimo Curlew (Numenius borealis)
Another recently extinct animal in Argentina is the Eskimo curlew. This bird is native to both North and South America, but is considered critically endangered, possibly extinct throughout its range, including Argentina. Since 1963, no sightings have been confirmed with certaintyof it, which suggests its disappearance.
The causes of the unfortunate population decline and that did not allow the recovery of the species were hunting, mainly in North America, in addition to the impact on the habitat by agriculture and forest fires.
Blue-winged Macaw (Primolius maracana)
It also belongs to the group of beautiful and striking psittacines, generally considered near threatened, however, the IUCN estimates that it is possibly extinct in Argentinaand other regions of South America where it is native.
Its decline was due to deforestation, commercialization and, in the particular case of Argentina, to unfortunate direct hunting as it is considered a crop pest.
Atacama Water Frog (Telmatobius atacamensis)
It is an amphibian considered microendemic due to its very specific location in the Province of S alta, Argentina. However, is extinct in San Antonio de los Cobres, in Argentina, where it was originally located, and its presence has only been verified in one locality in the area.
Threats were introduced fish, water pollution, and a fungal disease of amphibians known as chytridiomycosis.
Unfortunately, there are more and more endangered species and, therefore, it is not surprising that new extinct animals appear in Argentina in the coming years. In this other article we talk about animals in danger of extinction in Argentina, do not miss it to become more aware of the current situation.
