Historical reports of güiña, Leopardus guigna tigrillo (Carnivora: Felidae), in San Antonio province and new records in El Quisco commune, Valparaíso region, Chile

Abstract

Leopardus guigna, commonly known as güiña or kodkod, is a felid endemic to the temperate forests of southern South America, currently classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN. Its presence in central Chile has been scarcely documented, particularly in San Antonio Province (Valparaíso region), where urban development has led to severe habitat loss. This article presents historical records of the species and new detections obtained between 2021 and 2025 through camera trap surveys conducted in coastal ravines within the communes of El Quisco and San Antonio. Monitoring campaigns were conducted with and without scent lures, recording species presence, behavior, co-occurrence with native fauna, and threats such as free-ranging domestic dogs and cats.

Recent detections were recorded in Quebrada de Córdova, Los Colihues, and Carvajal (El Quisco), as well as Fundo Llolleo (San Antonio), alongside 28 historical records within the province. Ravines with vegetation cover, water flow, and ecological connectivity emerged as key habitats and potential ecological corridors for the species. In areas with lower anthropogenic pressure, such as Fundo Llolleo, no domestic dogs were detected, contrasting with more urbanized ravines. The co-occurrence of güiña with other native species suggests complex trophic interactions. These findings expand current knowledge of the güiña’s distribution in central Chile and emphasize the need to incorporate its conservation into territorial planning. Furthermore, the results underscore the importance of sustained monitoring to assess population viability in fragmented landscapes.