Range Extension of the Northern Naked-Tailed Armadillo (Cabassous centralis) in Southern Mexico

Abstract

Abstract. The northern naked-tailed armadillo (Cabassous centralis) is one of the least known armadillo species. Due to its restricted distribution in Mexico and the few known records of the species, the northern naked-tailed armadillo is considered endangered by Mexican law. Using camera traps, we obtained a new record in Portaceli, Chiapas, an area where the species was not previously recorded. The record was located 75 km north of the previously known range of the species in Mexico, and thus constitutes a range expansion of the species in the country. This record suggests that the species could be present in areas with similar environmental conditions where mammal research has been limited, especially in Tabasco, Mexico, and in Sierra del Lacandon, Guatemala. It is necessary to generate additional information on the species in order to determine the current status of the northern naked-tailed armadillo in Mexico.