The long-nosed caenolestid (Rhyncholestes raphanurus), also known as the Chilean shrew opossum or long-nosed shrew opossum, is a shrew opossum that occurs in temperate forests of Argentina and southern Chile. It was first described by American zoologist Wilfred Hudson Osgood in 1924. The long-nosed caenolestid resembles Caenolestes species in morphology. It is characterized by a long, pointed snout, small eyes and ears, and one claw on a digit of each of the thin limbs. Little is known of its behavior; it appears to be terrestrial (lives on land), nocturnal (active mainly at night) and omnivorous. It prefers cool, moist areas, and has a small distribution. It is classified as near threatened by the IUCN.

  • R. r. continentalis <small>Bublitz, 1987</small>: Occurs in Argentina and Chile (type locality: Cerro la Picada in Los Lagos, Chile).
  • R. r. raphanurus <small>Osgood, 1924</small>: Occurs in southern Chiloé Island (off the coast of Chile).

A 2013 morphological and mitochondrial DNA-based phylogenetic study showed that the Incan caenolestid (Lestoros inca) and the long-nosed caenolestid form a clade sister to Caenolestes. The cladogram below is based on this study.

Caenolestid fossils date to as early as the early Eocene (nearly 55 mya). The generic name derives from the Greek words rhynchos ("snout") and lestes ("robber", "pirate"). The specific name comes from the Greek raphanos ("cabbage"), referring to the thick tail of this caenolestid. The Spanish name for this caenolestid, comadrejita trompuda, is the combination of comadreja ("weasel") and trompa ("snout"). Other names for this shrew opossum are Chilean shrew opossum or Chilean caenolestid. This shrew opossum lacks a marsupium (young are attached to the nipples) and has seven nipples, unlike the four typical of other caenolestids. The rodent-like incisors help in killing vertebrate prey and searching for insects in crevices.

Ecology and behavior

Little is known of the behavior of the long-nosed caenolestid. It appears to be terrestrial (lives on land) and nocturnal (active mainly at night). An omnivore, it feeds on insects and small invertebrates as well as plant material and fungi. The caenolestid appears to live in burrows and fallen logs;

Distribution and status

The long-nosed caenolestid occurs in temperate forests of Argentina and southern Chile, and up to altitudes of above the sea level (in Osorno Province, Chile). It prefers cool, moist areas. This shrew opossum also marks the southern limit of the distribution of caenolestids. In 2023 the species was reported from 17 sites within the Valdivian Coastal Reserve and the Alerce Costero National Park.