Dasypus pilosus (Fitzinger, 1856)

Russell A. Mittermeier & Don E. Wilson, 2018, Dasypodidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 8 Insectivores, Sloths and Colugos, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 30-47 : 46

5 .

Hairy Long-nosed Armadillo

Dasypus pilosus

French: Tatou a long museau / German: Pelzglrteltier / Spanish: Mulita peluda

Other common names: Woolly Armadillo

Taxonomy. Cryptophractus pilosus Fitz- inger, 1856 ,

“Peru.” Restricted by R. M. Wetzel and E. Mondolfi in 1979 to mon- tane Peru .

Dasypus pilosus was originally described as a species of Cryptophractus, which was used subsequently to separate it into its own subgenus. Currently, some have advocated reviving Cryptophractus based on morphological criteria, but molecular genetic data show that D. pilosus is nested well within Dasypus , perhaps an indication of a rapid evolutionary divergence after a relatively recent split (c.2-8 million years ago) within the Dasypus lineage. Monotypic.

Distribution. E Andean slope of Peru from Amazonas to Junin departments. A habitat modeling study predicted that suitable areas for occurrence were also available in Cajamarca Department.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 320-440 mm, tail 240-310 mm, ear ¢.50 mm, hindfoot 62-70 mm; weight 1.1-5 kg. The common name, the Hairy Long-nosed Armadillo, captures the moststriking aspect of its appearance, namely thick reddish tan to reddish gray hair that covers carapace and is found on cheeks and upper part of each

limb but not on the rest of head or tail. Hair is also present on ventral surface of body, but it is not as dense. Number of movable bands on carapace 1s most commonly 9-11.

Habitat. Based on 25 specimen records, most likely high, moist, cloud, and subparamo forests of the Eastern Andes, generally at elevations of 2000-3500 m. An ecological niche modeling study indicated that restricted distribution of the Hairy Long-nosed Armadillo might be due to narrow thermal and precipitation tolerances.

Food and Feeding. The Hairy L.ong-nosed Armadillo is thought to be a generalist insectivore like other dasypodid armadillos.

Breeding. Litter size is thought to be four young, butthisis based on just a single museum specimen of an adult female that contained four embryos.

Activity patterns. No information.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List. There has never been a published field study on the Hairy Long-nosed Armadillo. Apart from records of occurrence to estimate its distribution, nothing is known aboutits natural history and conservation threats.

Bibliography. Castro et al. (2015), Feng Xiao, Castro et al. (2017), Gibb et al. (2016), Hautier et al. (2017), Superina & Abba (2014a), Wetzel (1985b), Wetzel & Mondolfi (1979), Wetzel et al. (2008).

Figures

1. Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), 2. Northern Long-nosed Armadillo (Dasypus sabanicola), 3. Greater Long-nosed Armadillo (Dasypus kappleri), 4. Brazilian Lesser Long-nosed Armadillo (Dasypus septemcinctus), 5. Hairy Long-nosed Armadillo (Dasypus pilosus), 6. Yungas Lesser Long-nosed Armadillo (Dasypus mazzai), 7. Southern Long-nosed Armadillo (Dasypus hybridus)

Plate 1 Species Accounts

Distribution. E Andean slope of Peru from Amazonas to Junin departments. A habitat modeling study predicted that suitable areas for occurrence were also available in Cajamarca Department.