Abstract

PIETREK, Alejandro G  and  FASOLA, Laura. Origin and history of the beaver introduction in South America. Mastozool. neotrop. [online]. 2014, vol.21, n.2, pp.355-359. ISSN 0327-9383.

The introduction of the North American beaver (Castor canadensis) to Tierra del Fuego is a widely known example of a successful biological invasion. However, the origin and history of this introduction bears closer scrutiny. Using historical documentation we provide evidence that beaver introduction occurred as a single release event of 20 beavers from northern Manitoba, Canada. This not only clarifies the origin of the invasion, but also suggests that the beaver population of Patagonia descends from a smaller number of individuals than previously assumed.

Keywords : Castor canadensis; Historical records; Propagule pressure; Tierra del Fuego.

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