SOUTHERN LONG-NOSED ARMADILLO Dasypus hybridus FAUNA PARAGUAY

Dasypus hybridus (Desmarest 1804)
TAX: Class Mammalia; Subclass Theria; Infraclass Eutheria; Order Cingulata; Family Dasypodidae; Subfamily Dasypodinae (Myers et al 2006, Möller-Krull et al 2007). Seven species are recognised in this genus, three are present in Paraguay. Dasypus is derived from a Greek translation of the Aztec name "Azotochtli" which roughly means "tortoise-rabbit"; hybridus means "hybrid", presumably in reference to the supposedly "hybrid-appearance" of the species between either a tortoise and a rabbit, or else a tortoise and a mule (from Spanish common name "mulita"). The synonymy with Dasypus septemcinctus below refers to a period when the two species were regularly confused in the literature. This species is monotypic. Desmarest´s original description was based on "Le Tatou Mulet" of de Azara (1801). Synonyms adapted from Gardner (2007).
lor[icatus] hybridus Desmarest 1804:28. No type locality given. Based on de Azara (1801). Restricted to San Ignacion, Misiones, Paraguay by Cabrera (1958).
[Dasypus] hybridus G.Fischer 1814:126. Name combination.
[Dasypus] auritus Illiger 1815:108. Nomen nudum.
T[atus] auritus Olfers 1818:221. Type locality "Paraguay". Based on de Azara (1801).
Tatusia hybridus Lesson 1827:311. Name combination.
T[atusia] hybrida Turner 1853:213. Corrected gender.
Praopus hybridus Burmeister 1861:428. Name combination.
Tatu hybridus Lahille 1899:203. Name combination.
[Tatusia (Muletia)] hybrida Trouessart 1898:1140. Name combination.
[Tatusia (Muletia)] hybridus Trouessart 1905:814. Name combination.
Muletia hybrida A.Miranda-Ribeiro 1914:46. Name combination.
D[asypus] Brevi-cauda Larrañaga 1923:344. Type locality not given but Uruguay implied. Based on de Azara (1802).
Dasypus hibridus Azevedo, El Achkar, Martins & Ximénez 1982:95. Incorrect spelling.
ENG: Southern Long-nosed Armadillo (Superina & Aguiar 2006, Garnder 2007), Southern Lesser Long-nosed Armadillo (Redford & Eisenberg 1992).
ESP: Mulita orejuda (Redford & Eisenberg 1992), Mulita (González 2001), Mulita pampeana (Chebez 2001), Mulita chica (Chebez 2001). The Spanish name "Mulita" or "little mule" stems from the long, donkey-like ears present in members of this genus. Despite the name "orejuda" (meaning big ears) this species has proportionately the shortest ears of the Paraguayan Dasypus. "Mulita chica" (little Mulita) is in direct comparison to the Nine-banded Armadillo, the only Dasypus sympatric with it over much of its Argentinean range. "Mulita pampeana" reflects its preference for grassland-type habitats such as those of the Argentinean pampas.
GUA: Tatu mburica MPA (Hamlett 1939). The Guaraní name Tatu mburica is the most frequently utilised in Paraguay for this species, the Spanish names rarely being heard in everyday speech. However it is rare for this species to be encountered and identified specifically, so it is just as likely to be confused with Dasypus novemcinctus, the Tatu hu. "Tatu mburica" means "Donkey armadillo" in reference to the long ears of the species.
DES: "Long-nosed" Armadillos have a broad, depressed body, an obtusely-pointed rostrum, long, pointed ears and short legs. The carapace consists of two immobile plates, the scapular and pelvic shields separated by 6 or 7 movable bands connected to each other by a fold of hairless skin. The carapace is mostly dull brownish-grey to brownish-yellow, distinctly paler than other Paraguayan Dasypus and with a very light covering of hair. Frequently there is a paler yellowish lateral line that is more visible in some individuals than others. The scales of the anterior edge of the movable bands are darker than the rest of the dorsum. Scutes on the movable bands are triangular in shape, but those on the main plates are rounded. The number of scutes present on the fourth movable band varies from 50 to 62, with a mean of 54 (Diaz & Barquez 2002, Hamlett 1939). The head is thin and triangular with a sloping forehead and long, mobile ears with rounded tips that are not separated by armour at the base. The tail is short compared to other Dasypus (60-70% body length), broad at the base and narrowing towards the tip. There are four toes on the forefeet (characteristic of the Subfamily Dasypodinae), the middle two much the longest, and five on the hindfeet. The underside is naked and pink-grey. Females possess four mammae. CR: Steeply descending frontal bone. DF: Armadillos lack true teeth. "Long-nosed" armadillos have single-rooted, peg-like teeth that lack enamel. Dental formula 6/8=28. CN: 2n=64. FN=76. (Gardner 2007).
TRA: Dasypus prints can be distinguished from those of other armadillos by their long, pointed toes with four toes on the forefoot and five on the hindfoot. However they generally leave the impression of only the two central toes on the forefeet (though sometimes the outer toe is also visible) and three central toes on the hindfeet. Given a full print, the hindfoot has a pointed heel with three long, somewhat pointed central toes and two, much shorter, outer toes set well back towards the heel. The forefoot has the inner toe much reduced and it rarely leaves an impression.
MMT: The "intermediate" "long-nosed armadillo" in Paraguay. TL: 45.95cm (39.7-49.8cm); TA: 16.84cm (13.2-19.1cm); FT: 6.73cm (5.5-7.3cm); EA: 2.51cm (2.3-2.8cm); WT: 1.5kg (1.09-2.04kg). (Redford & Eisenberg 1992, González 2001). Hamlett (1939) gives the following mean measurements of preserved specimens for this species Head 7.5cm; Body: 24cm; TA: 15.7cm; EA: 2.33cm (2-3.5cm).
SSP: This species is intermediate in size between the other two "long-nosed armadillos" in Paraguay and is characterised by its shorter ears (25-30% of head length) and tail (67-70% of body length) which give it a distinctive appearance. Furthermore it is paler in colouration than both the other species, being distinctly brownish-yellow overall. It can be immediately separated from the much larger and more widespread Dasypus novemcinctus by the number of bands - 6 or 7 as opposed to eight or nine (usually 8) in that species (Hamlett 1939). Note also that the tail length of D. novemcinctus is equal to or greater than the body length and that the ears are much longer (40-50% of head length). Dasypus novemcinctus has 7 to 9 teeth in the upper jaw, typically 8, compared to 6 in this species. Using the fourth movable band as a standard, Hamlett (1939) noted that this species has a mean of 54 scutes whereas D. novemcinctus has a mean of 60 scutes. Furthermore this species prefers open country habitats, whereas D. novemcinctus is more often associated with forested areas. The other open-country Dasypus is the smaller and darker D.septemcinctus, but it is unclear exactly how much their ranges overlap in Paraguay or even if they do at all. It would seem that D.septemcinctus is perhaps more likely to be encountered in the north of the country and this species in the south. D.septemcinctus shares the number of movable bands and number of teeth in the upper jaw with this species, but is clearly longer-eared (40-50% head length) and longer tailed (80-100% body length). D.septemcinctus has a mean of 48.4 scutes along the fourth movable band (Hamlett 1939).
DIS: The most southerly of the Dasypus armadillos, with an extensive range from Argentina through Uruguay in the east to Brazil, probably as far north as Matto Grosso do Sul. However the species is apparently absent or un-recorded in many areas of the vast range and the maps given by Redford & Eisenberg (1992) incorrectly exaggerate the extent of the species distribution in Brazil and Argentina. In Argentina it is found east only as far as eastern Provincia Cordoba in Argentina and south to Provincia Buenos Aires, with records for the Andean foothills being the result of mis-identification. Though it has been cited as present in Provincia Misiones, Argentina there is apparently no confirmation of the species occurrence there (Chebez 2001) and there are only two records with an imprecise locality from Jujuy both collected in the 1930s (Diaz & Barquez 2002). In Paraguay its precise range is uncertain because of confusion over the species identity. Neris et al (2001) mapped both this species and that of the Seven-banded together, reflecting the lack of clarity in the range of the two species. However it would seem that Southern Long-nosed is more likely to be found in the south of the country, north perhaps as far as southern Departamento Candideyú. It has not been found in the Mbaracayú Biosphere Reserve, though Seven-banded does occur there and there are no records of either species in the south-west of Paraguay from Asunción south to Departamento Ñeembucú and much of Departamento Misiones. A species of undisturbed grasslands that does not tolerate human alteration of habitat, its distribution may have been naturally limited in Paraguay by the expanse of the Atlantic Forest and further reduced by human activity.
HAB: This species is typical of native, undisturbed grasslands and is unable to tolerate human interference, rapidly disappearing from agricultural areas (Edentate Specialist Group 2004).
ALI: Constantly on the move, this species feeds in much the same way as the Nine-banded Armadillo. moving rapidly and snuffling constantly when digging shallow foraging holes. In Uruguay they have been recorded as digging into ant and termite nests. One stomach contained mostly ants and termites as well as Orthoptera, Lepidoptera, other invertebrates and the remains of a small rodent, though it is unclear if that individual was hunted or scavenged. (Redford & Eisenberg 1992). Captive individuals were maintained on a daily diet of 100g high protein (26%) commercial puppy food soaked in water a day before presentation, 50mg powdered milk, water and 30g mince meat. This was supplemented with vitamins and minerals and an egg was added twice a week.(Ferrari et al 1997).
REP: Ferrari et al (1997) published the first data on captive breeding of the species. They noted that the breeding cycle begins in March in Buenos Aires with the first copulations, with births in October and November. The male was not removed from the enclosure as it posed no threat to the offpring. Embryo counts range from 7 to 12, with 8 the most common number (Redford & Eisenberg 1992).
BEH: General Behaviour Solitary and active during the day and at night, though often more nocturnal in summer to avoid the heat of the day (González 2001). Captive inidividuals in Buenos Aires, Argentina were observed to be most active at midday during winter and in the afternoon during summer, remaining inactive during the hottest temperatures (Ferrari et al 1997). The main function of burrows is to provide refuge from predators and to provide shelter for resting (González et al 2001). Burrows are located only in open areas in grasslands and not in forested habitats. Typically they are around 1-2m long with a single entrance less than 25cm in diameter and dry grass may be accumulated at the entrance (González 2001). In Uruguay burrows were most frequently located in open areas with sandy soils on flat or sloping ground (89.3%), in ravines (5.1%) or amongst rocks (5.6%). (González et al 2001). Of the 20 excavated burrows studied the mean dimensions where length 118.8cm (+/-105.69cm), width 15.3cm (+/-5.15cm) and depth 43.3cm (+/-10.22cm). These burrows were approximately cylindrical with a conical end, consisting of a single tunnel without branches and in 6 cases terminating in a chamber 25.6cm (+/-6.19cm) wide x 35.2cm deep (+/-8.49cm). Burrows were randomly situated but the entrance avoided facing south, the direction of prevailing winds in the study area. The considerable difference in burrow lengths may be related to differences in usage . Burrows providing refuge from predators would be needed year round, and these would be likely to be more numerous, shorter burrows which are rapidly constructed and fulfil the function of providing safe haven. The qualities of resting burrows will likely vary through the year given the difference in summer and winter temperatures in Uruguay. During the cold winters longer and deeper burrows which maintain a higer temperature than the outside air help the animal thermoregulate. (González et al 2001). Defensive Behaviour When pursued they run rapidly and erratically towards their burrow. Parasites Navone (1990) recorded the following nematodes in this species in the Argentinean Pampas: Aspidodera fasciata (Aspidoderidae), Pterygodermatites chaetophracti (Rictularidae) and Mazzia bialata (Cosmocercidae) and Aspidodera fasciata (Aspidoderidae) in the Espinal region. Pterygodermatites chaetophracti (Rictularidae) and Mazzia bialata (Cosmocercidae) were also recorded in the Paranaense region.
VOC: Snuffling noises are given when foraging.
HUM: Hunted throughout its range as a source of food. It is hunted in Uruguay and has been used in the fabrication of crafts since Prehispanic times, though only during the 20th Centruy did the pressure on the species begin to tell (Fallabrino & Castañeira 2006). No specific information is available for Paraguay where the species is extremely poorly known, but it is undoubtedly hunted for food and it is doubtful whether hunters would consciously distinguish this species from other Dasypus.
CON: The Southern Long-nosed Armadillo is considered Lowest Risk, near threatened by the IUCN, click here to see their latest assessment of the species. The Centro de Datos de Conservación in Paraguay do not list the species and nor is it listed by CITES. This species is more susceptible to human interference than other Dasypus and has disappeared over large areas of its range in Argentina as a result of the expanse of agriculture. It has undergone a notable decline and range contraction over the last thirty years as a result of hunting and habitat destruction and few of the areas with viable populations of the species are under official protection. The situation in Paraguay is unclear and its precise distribution is unknown as a result of confusion with other Dasypus. However, conversion of natrual grasslands to agriculture in Paraguay has been equally rapid and the species has undoubtedly undergone a similarly silent decline in the country.
Citable Reference: Smith P (2008) FAUNA Paraguay Online Handbook of Paraguayan Fauna Mammal Species Account 15 Dasypus hybridus.
Last Updated: 23 June 2009.
References:
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Many thanks to Mariella Superina, Alejandro Fallabrino and Elena Castiñeira for assisting with obtaining some of the references used in the construction of this species account.