CR

Single-striped Opossum

Monodelphis unistriata

Unknown

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Monodelphis unistriata faces severe threats from rapid deforestation and agricultural expansion throughout its restricted range in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, as remaining forest patches become increasingly isolated and degraded. Urban development and infrastructure projects continue to reduce available habitat, while the species' specialized ecological requirements limit its ability to adapt to modified landscapes.

Threat summary

Habitat

This small marsupial inhabits the understory of Atlantic Forest remnants in southeastern Brazil, preferring dense primary and secondary forest with thick leaf litter layers. The species requires continuous forest cover and is typically found in areas with high humidity and abundant invertebrate prey.

Conservation measures underway

Species recovery

Other threatened species in DIDELPHIDAE

CR

Marmosops handleyi

Declining
VU

Junin Slender Opossum

Marmosops juninensis

Declining
Karimi's Fat-tailed Mouse OpossumVU

Karimi's Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum

Thylamys karimii

Declining
Dryland Mouse OpossumVU

Dryland Mouse Opossum

Marmosa xerophila

Declining

Threatened in Argentina

Striped SmoothhoundCR

Striped Smoothhound

Mustelus fasciatus

Declining
VU

Achala Escuerzo-Frog

Odontophrynus achalensis

Declining
VU

Copper Shark

Carcharhinus brachyurus

Declining
EN

Gubernatrix cristata

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Single-striped Opossum classified as Critically Endangered?
Single-striped Opossum is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Monodelphis unistriata faces severe threats from rapid deforestation and agricultural expansion throughout its restricted range in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, as remaining forest patches become increasingly isolated and degraded. Urban development and infrastructure projects continue to reduce available habitat, while the species' specialized ecological requirements limit its ability to adapt to modified landscapes.
Where does Single-striped Opossum live?
Single-striped Opossum occurs in Argentina, and Brazil. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Single-striped Opossum?
The main threats to Single-striped Opossum are 2.1, 5.3, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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