Ecology and conservation of three species of armadillos in the Pampas region, Argentina

ABBA A. M.; CASSINI M. H

Biology of the Xenarthra.

UNIVERSITY PRESS OF FLORIDA

Lugar: Gainesville, Florida, EEUU; Año: 2008; p. 300 - 305

In this chapter, we summarize data on the ecology, use and conservation of three sympatric species of armadillos of the Argentine Pampas (Chaetophractus villosus, Cha. vellerosus and Dasypus hybridus). We also propose directions for future research. Cha. villosus is the most abundant armadillo in the region and is found in all available environments. Characteristics of this species include: (1) It is active mainly during evening and night; (2) Burrows have just one entrance, a nest made of grasses, and are well-developed both in length and number of branches; (3) It is omnivorous: the most frequent prey are adult and larvae of coleopterans and lepidopterans, plants and carrion. Like the other two species, Cha. villosus is hunted for food. However, it is the only species that appears directly affected by hunting intensity in the Pampas. Cha. vellerosus is similar to Cha. villosus with respect to burrow features and diet, although its burrows usually have several entrances and are found only on sandy or calcareous soils. Daily activity patterns are not well known in the Pampas, but data from other regions indicate seasonal variation, with Cha. villosus diurnal in winter and nocturnal in summer. D. hybridus is a typical species of natural or semi-natural grasslands. It is most active during daylight. Burrows have one entrance and nest, but are not as well-developed as in the other two species. Anecdotal data suggest the diet is mainly myrmecophagous. Distribution and abundance of D. hybridus appears affected by the presence of dogs and distance to urban centers.