First confirmed record of Neogale frenata (Carnivora, Mustelidae) in the Tumbesian Dry Forest of southern Ecuador

We report the first confirmed record of the long-tailed weasel (Neogale frenata) in the Tumbesian Dry Forest, expanding the knowledge about the distribution of this species in the Costa of southern Ecuador. Using camera traps in the La Tilita Private Reserve (909 m above sea level), in Loja province, the presence of N. frenata was documented during a sampling effort of 1103 trap/days between 2022 and 2023. This finding extends the known range of the species in this region, where there were previously no recent confirmed records. This record contributes to the knowledge of Mustelid distribution in tropical habitats and underscores the need for maintain continued monitoring and conservation efforts of the species in the Tumbesian Dry Forest.