Resumen El coletrapo norteño (Cabassous centralis) es un armadillo que presenta una baja detectabilidad en campo debido a sus hábitos crípticos, desconociéndose muchos aspectos de su historia natural y distribución.Debido a esto y a la ausencia de exploraciones puntuales, aún permanecen territorios en Colombia sin reportes de la especie.En esta nota se añaden tres registros novedosos de C. centralis para el departamento de Norte de Santander, discutiéndose, a su vez, la identidad taxonómica de un registro previo asignado a esta especie para la región y omitido por la literatura.Con estas evidencias se llena el vacío de información de C. centralis en este sector de Colombia.Se espera un mayor estudio de la especie para el departamento, así como la obtención de más registros biológicos y fotográficos, con el fin de esclarecer asuntos concernientes a los límites geográficos de su distribución y amenazas locales.
El tatú-aí o cabasú grande (Cabassous tatouay) (Cingulata: Chlamyphoridae) es la mayor especie de su género, con una longitud de cabeza-cuerpo de hasta 490 mm y 6,4 kg de masa corporal (Redford & Eisenberg, 1992), aunque se citan ejemplares de dimensiones superiores (Hayssen, 2014;Nigro et al., 2021).Es una de las especies de armadillo menos conocidas por la ciencia, con muy pocos estudios y poco representadas en colecciones científicas (Ubaid et al.,
xenartros más emblemáticos debido a su vinculación con el folklor hondureño (Turcios-Casco et al., 2020).Este armadillo es una de las pocas especies de mamíferos de los cuales hay registros antes de 1900 para Honduras y desafortunadamente ha sido uno de los
The greater naked-tailed armadillo (Cabassous tatouay) is the largest armadillo in the Cabassous genus.It can be distinguished from other species in the genus by its large body size and large ears with granular edges that extend above the top of the head.The presence of C. tatouay in some regions of Brazil and in some Brazilian biomes, such as the Pantanal wetland, was not previously confirmed.This paper presents 12 new records of C. tatouay obtained by camera traps (n = 7), direct observations (n = 1), and roadkills (n = 4) in Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brazil.However, two camera trap records were only 14 minutes apart and could potentially represent the same individual.Photographic records are compared with C. squamicaudis to highlight important characteristics that differentiate the species.Finally, these records of C. tatouay extend its range to western Brazil and for the first time into the Pantanal wetland near the transition to the Cerrado savanna.
Dorsal carapace and osteoderm morphological features have traditionally been widely used in both extinct and extant armadillo systematics. However, the intraspecific variability at the carapace level represents a little studied aspect. In this contribution, we analyzed several dorsal carapaces of Priodontes maximus with the purpose of recording such variability. As a result, we describe a total of seven structures concerning the dorsal carapace osteoderm configuration, including distinct terminations of the osteoderm rows, and the most frequent aberrant shapes of the osteoderms. Though the same type of structure can be usually found in several specimens, its frequency and precise location within the carapace are unique to each individual. In this sense, besides improving anatomical descriptions, the identification of these structures can be potentially implemented as a complementary method to help recognize specific individuals being tracked. Moreover, it can represent a very effective recognition method even a long time after death. Given the general decreasing trend of P. maximus populations, it is important to develop as many monitoring tools as possible, in order to support conservation programs for this species.
This paper reports on results from two camera trapping initiatives where individual giant armadillos, Priodontes maximus, were identified and monitored over multiple years, thus providing insights into their potential lifespan. One camera trap array was located in the Brazilian Pantanal, in Mato Grosso do Sul, where an adult female was first identified in October 2011 and documented again in January 2021, leading us to estimate her age as at least 17.5 years old. The other camera trap array was located at the border of the Chaco alluvial plains in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, where a female was first registered in June 2004 and then again in January 2019; we estimate her age to be at least 18 years old. While recognizing that these two data points are insufficient to evaluate life expectancy of the species, this paper does provide the first evidence of potential lifespan of wild P. maximus. It also shows that both females were documented in the same area after intervals of 10 and 15 years, providing new clues on long-term site fidelity. This paper highlights the importance of long-term camera trap arrays for the study of cryptic nocturnal mammals that are long lived and occur at low densities.
The giant anteater Myrmecophaga tridactyla is widely distributed throughout the Neotropical region.However, it is likely to be extinct in part of its original distribution, leading this species to be classified as Vulnerable (VU) by the IUCN.A new occurrence record of a giant anteater was obtained in the municipality of Santo Antônio das Missões, located in the transition region of the Atlantic Forest and Pampa biomes in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.The record of a giant anteater road-kill victim was made during a road monitoring carried out on BR-285 in November 2019.
This short communication presents the first record of Myrmecophaga tridactyla (giant anteater) for the northern region of the State of Paraná, Brazil, where the Atlantic Forest landscape is highly fragmented due to increasing urbanization and agricultural activity.The record was obtained in June 2021, in a northern urban zone of the municipality of Londrina.While we do not know the causes of this event, it may reflect a current flow towards the north of Paraná of individuals recently recorded to the east, perhaps facilitated by a permeable landscape for the displacement of terrestrial animals at the urban/rural interface, where disturbed natural environments are common.
Following the cover page, there should be an 'Abstract' page, which should contain the title of the paper, the subtitle 'Abstract' and a summary of the paper in single space, not exceeding 150 words. The text of the paper should not start on this page, but on a fresh page with the title of the paper repeated.
This study reports the occurrence of ticks on free-ranging armadillos in the Serra das Almas Natural Reserve located in the interior of the state of Piauí, northeastern Brazil. Collected ticks were morphologically identified by using standard taxonomic keys and stereomicroscope. We provide the first records of Amblyomma sculptum on Tolypeutes tricinctus, in addition to A. auricularium adults on Dasypus septemcinc tus in the Brazilian exclusive biome, the Caatinga.
Inspired by the low-energy lifestyle of the three-toed sloth (Bradypus sp.), the SlothBot is an energy-efficient, solar-powered robot designed to have a persistent presence in tree canopies.Organized around the novel robotics paradigm that surviving takes precedence over goal-driven actions, the Sloth-Bot only moves when it absolutely has to.Since May 2020, it has been taking climate measurements in the treetops of the Atlanta Botanical Garden.We envision that, in the future, teams of SlothBots can be deployed in a rainforest canopy to collect data for field ecologists.
The giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) is considered a solitary species except for the reproductive and parental care periods. Agonistic encounters among giant anteaters have been previously reported, describing conflicts and fights between individuals. However, non-agonistic encounters have not been reported in the scientific literature. Three instances of such encounters were recorded: two in which two females, carrying their cubs, were foraging together for periods of a few hours, and another where a female with her cub beside her was foraging alongside an adult of unknown sex. Details of these encounters are described in this note, contributing to knowledge of the natural history of the species.
Damage caused by wildlife is one of the main causes of human-wildlife conflict (HWC) worldwide and poses a significant threat to both biodiversity conservation and human livelihoods.Understanding the mechanisms that underpin such damage is critical to tackle HWC and foster coexistence.In this paper we provide information on the pattern and magnitude of damage by giant armadillos (Priodontes maximus) to apiaries in the Cerrado biome of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.With the collaboration of 10 beekeeping associations we gathered information from 178 beekeepers.Seventy-three percent of these individuals reported beehive damage by giant armadillos in the last five years and 46% in the last 12 months, resulting in substantial economic losses.We used a combination of beekeepers' reports and camera traps to characterize the pattern of damage, and to evaluate the effectiveness, as well as pros and cons, of several non-lethal mitigation measures to deter giant armadillos from damaging beehives.In hopes of developing a win-win solution, we propose the implementation of a Honey Certification Scheme so that beekeepers and giant armadillos may not only coexist but thrive together.
The Xenarthra are one of the least studied mammalian groups in Honduras.Their ecology, natural history, and distribution in the country are poorly known.Here we compile and discuss, for the first time, the available information about the seven species of Xenarthra that occur in Honduras.We also present new distribution records and comment on their main threats.The lack of specific scientific studies, poaching, illegal traffic, cultural beliefs, and deforestation are among the main threats to xenarthrans in Honduras.
The giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus) has a wide distribution in South America and is naturally rare and difficult to observe, which contributes to the little existing knowledge about its biology and natural history, especially in the Amazon.We report, for the first time, an attack on a nest and the predation of stingless bees Trigona amalthea by P. maximus, contributing to the knowledge of their diet in the wild.
monitoreo de yaguareté con cámaras trampa en el nombrado Parque, la Red Yaguareté y la Administración de Parques Nacionales obtuvieron dos registros fotográficos de la especie en los años 2015 y 2017, los que constituyen los primeros con esta metodología.
The collared anteater, Tamandua tetradactyla, has a wide distribution in South America, where it inhabits savannas, forests, and rainforests from Venezuela to the north and center of Argentina.In Argentina, it occurs in the provinces of Catamarca, Chaco, Córdoba, Corrientes, Formosa, Jujuy, La Rioja, Misiones, Salta, Santa Fe, Santiago del Estero, and Tucumán.In recent years, specimens have been registered outside the traditional area of distribution, showing a possible southward expansion.In this work we present the first records of the species for the province of San Luis, Argentina.
Despite its wide distribution in South America, ranging from northern Venezuela and the Guianas south to Paraguay and northern Argentina, the vulnerable giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus) occurs at low densities and is little studied due to its elusive habits. In Brazil species' records have been collected from the Pantanal and central Cerrado but little information is known from the eastern border of Mato Grosso do Sul. Here we report 97 records of giant armadillo in this region from areas of private lands using camera-traps and signs of presence in Cerrado and Atlantic Forest biomes.
Despite great xenarthran biodiversity, the Paraguayan armadillos and anteaters have received little attention from biologists and few data have been published about the distribution and status of the species.Furthermore, errors and contradictions persist in the literature.This paper collates specimen and literature data about this group to act as a basis for the stimulation of future research.Xenarthran specimens in all the major Paraguayan collections and all significant specimens in international collections were examined.Specimen data were collated and supplemented with literature and photographic data.Distribution data are provided according to a hierarchy of record reliability including examined specimens, non-examined specimens, literature records, photographic records, and significant observations.Thirteen species (11 armadillos and two anteaters) are confirmed to be present in Paraguay.Relevant discussion and distribution maps are provided for each species.Specimens of both Dasypus septemcinctus septemcinc tus and D. s. hybridus were examined and their distribution is clarified.There is no evidence that Bradypus variegatus occurs in Paraguay.Most xenarthran specimens were collected at least 35 years ago, and the specimen record may no longer represent current distribution given the rapidly changing landscape in the country.It is concluded that available data on Paraguayan Xenarthra shows a heavy bias taxonomically towards a few species (Dasypus novemcinctus, Tolypeutes matacus, and Euphractus sexcinctus) and geographically towards the Chaco region.Distribution in the Oriental region is poorly understood, and species that are confined to that region are known from few specimens.The southern portion of the Oriental region has been virtually unsampled.
During a prey scent preference experiment with captive giant anteaters living at the Nashville Zoo (USA), two anteater mothers actively inhibited their dependent calves from investigating non-nourishing but innocuous scents.An exact binomial test showed a statistically significant tendency for the dams to ignore the scents themselves after obstructing the calves' investigation.This is the first known documentation of what appears to be "teaching" behavior in Xenarthra and a rare example of a non-human animal discouraging feeding and smelling behaviors that aren't adversely affecting its young.
