Occurrence of Cabassous tatouay (Cingulata, Dasypodidae) in Rio Grande do Sul and its potential distribution in southern Brazil

Stefan V De Oliveira,Janduhy P Dos Santos,Felipe M Garcias,Luiz L C Corrêa,Fábio D Mazim,Carlos B Kasper,Felipe B Peters

doi:10.1590/1678-476620151052235241

Abstract

ABSTRACT Cabossous tatouay Desmarest, 1804 is considered a rare species in southern South America, and Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, records of the species are scarce and inaccurate. This study reports 40 localities for C. tatouay, and provides a map of the species' potential distribution using ecological niche modeling (ENM). The ENM indicated that in this region C. tatouay is associated with open grasslands, including the areas of "Pampas" and the open fields in the highlands of the Atlantic Forest. This study contributes to the information about the greater naked-tailed armadillo in southern Brazil, and provides data key to its future conservation.

Highlights

This study reports 40 localities for C. tatouay, and provides a map of the species’ potential distribution using ecological niche modeling (ENM)
Twenty-seven sites were located in the Pampa biome, eleven in the Atlantic Forest, and two in the areas of transition from Pampa biome to Atlantic Forest (IBGE, 2004)
Ecological niche modeling results (Fig. 2) showed the areas most ecological and geographic suitable for C. tatouay were associated with the two main mountainous areas of Rio Grande do Sul State, and the valley between them

Summary

Introduction

Ocorrência de Cabassous tatouay (Cingulata, Dasypodidae) e seu potencial de distribuição para o sul do Brasil. In between the species has been recorded from the southern, southeastern, and central regions of Brazil (Hayssen, 2014). It is found in southern Paraguay (Hayssen, 2014) and northeastern Argentina, where it appears restricted to Misiones province (Abba et al, 2012). An assessment of potential geographic ranges of armadillos in Brazil (Anacleto et al, 2006) highlighted the small number of C. tatouay records, and suggested that Brazilian Pampa was not a favored habitat. According to Carter & Encarnação (1983), C. tatouay changes its burrow every day, and does not use the same shelter twice. Medri et al (2011) reported that the species has a home range of some

Methods

Results

Conclusion