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Knowledge of reproductive health in wild southern tamanduas (Tamandua tetradactyla; Mammalia: Myrmecophagidae) is fragmentary. During necropsies of roadkill xenarthran species in Brazil, a case of ovarian filariasis in an adult female southern tamandua was observed. Macroscopically, both ovaries were irregularly enlarged and had numerous smooth protuberances. Histologically, the affected ovarian parenchyma presented adult nematodes (including females with microfilaria) surrounded by pleocellular inflammatory infiltrates. The morphological characteristics of the nematodes were consistent with the superfamily Filarioidea (order Spirurida). The adjacent ovarian parenchyma had developing and atretic follicles at different stages of maturation. Filarial nematodes were not observed in other tissues. The cause of death of this tamandua was fatal acute polytrauma as a consequence of the motor vehicle collision. This case adds to a prior report of ovarian filariasis in two southern tamanduas in Nicaragua and Guatemala, dating back almost 100 years, and suggests filarial infections could potentially have an impact on reproductive success in southern tamanduas and possibly other xenarthrans. Several xenarthran species are under different levels of threat and knowledge of their basic reproductive health is crucial for conservation programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of viral‐associated neoplasms reported in wildlife has increased over the last decades, likely because of growing research efforts and a potentially greater burden of carcinogenic pathogens. Herein, we describe a primary gastric T‐cell lymphoma in one free‐ranging giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus) from Brazilian Pantanal infected by a novel gammaherpesvirus, proposed as Cingulatid gammaherpesvirus 1 (CiHV‐1). By chromogenic in situ hybridisation against Epstein–Barr virus some neoplastic cells were labeled. Subsequently, a molecular screening was carried out to detect the occurrence of this pathogen in other giant armadillos in the same region. Overall, this novel virus was detected in 14.3% (3/21) of the tested giant armadillos. We suggest this herpesvirus, the first in Xenarthra, as a plausible aetiology of the neoplasm. The implications of CiHV‐1 for this species are uncertain; while no outbreaks of disease have been recorded, the present study raises concerns. Further research is warranted to assess the real significance of CiHV‐1 and its potential oncogenic role in this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species distribution modeling (SDM) is a promising tool for priority setting, conservation decision‐making and overall support for species conservation. We developed a participatory modeling process (PMP) to ensure both the proper use of SDMs as well as their efficacy and impact as a conservation tool. The PMP using SDM has assisted conservation planning in a number of situations, including more than 25 endangered species and supported IUCN SSC Red List assessments. PMP focuses on stakeholder engagement to co‐develop SDMs that will in turn support and guide conservation decisions. This participatory approach to SDMs allowed us to: (a) update potential species distributions; (b) evaluate environmental suitability; (c) identify potential corridors and priority areas for implementing different conservation and management actions; (d) identify new potential areas for species searching; (e) predict potential impact under deforestation and climate change scenarios; and (f) provide valuable input for population viability analysis (PVA). Most often the level of successful stakeholder engagement will influence how the model will guide the decision‐making process. The modeler must play a technical role as well as act as a translator and facilitator to engage and bridge the gap between researchers, conservation planners and decision makers, which is essential for effective conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resource selection provides essential information about species strategies to meet their biological requirements, and is key for conservation strategies development. Although intraspecific variation in behavior is widespread, most resource selection studies have ignored intrapopulation variability. We aim to understand if individuals have different habitat selection preferences depending on life stage, sex, and behavioral state. As a model, we use the vulnerable fossorial giant armadillo Priodontes maximus in the Pantanal. We tracked 23 individuals between 2010 and 2018 using telemetry (12240 locations). Habitat selection during activity and rest were estimated using step and resource selection functions, respectively. Giant armadillos selected different landscape features according to sex, life stage and behavioral state highlighting the potential bias in habitat selection studies based only on one life stage or behavioral state, especially for fossorial species. Younger individuals presented higher selection strength of forests, with denser vegetation and less predation risk, for activity and rest, which is not common for species with long parental care. Sexual differences evidenced that females, which are exclusively responsible for parental care, presented stronger selection of forests and closed savannas during rest. Closed savannas, with high food availability, were selected for activity irrespective of sex or age. Floodable areas were selected only by adult males, presumably to improve mobility. Our findings indicated that females select habitats in a way to balance offspring safety and food availability, while males are risk takers and explore space widely. Forests showed to be fundamental for the species survival, especially during early life stages. Unfortunately, harmful management practices recently adopted, e.g., conversion of forests into pasture and fires, affect the habitats selected by this ecosystem engineer. Giant armadillos can act as umbrella species, as strategies targeted at protecting this charismatic large mammal could provide wider benefits for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services in the Pantanal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents unique data on the reproductive behavior of the rare giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus), including gestation, inter-birth intervals, number of offspring and parental care. It also describes a potential non-parental infanticide. The study used telemetry, camera traps and track observations for over 7 years in a 300-km2 area in the central Brazilian Pantanal. Females with young were recorded 5 times. Reproductive events did not appear to be seasonal. A 5-month gestation period was estimated. Parental care is long, as the offspring is completely dependent on its mother's milk until 6–8 months of age. Weaning was estimated to occur at 11–12 months, but the offspring continued to be dependent on its mother's burrows until 18 months old. Three births were recorded over a 6-year period for one individual. The offspring from the first birth recorded was killed at 4 weeks of age in a potential infanticide, but 7 months after the first birth, a second offspring was born. A third birth was recorded 3 years after the second birth. Results from this study suggest that the population growth rate of giant armadillos is very low and the species can therefore easily be locally extirpated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A population viability analysis (PVA) was conducted of the lowland tapir populations in the Atlantic Forest of the Pontal do Paranapanema region, Brazil, including Morro do Diabo State Park (MDSP) and surrounding forest fragments. Results from the model projected that the population of 126 tapirs in MDSP is likely to persist over the next 100 years; however, 200 tapirs would be required to maintain a viable population. Sensitivity analysis showed that sub-adult mortality and adult mortality have the strongest influence on the dynamics of lowland tapir populations. High road-kill has a major impact on the MDSP tapir population and can lead to population extinction. Metapopulation modeling showed that dispersal of tapirs from MDSP to the surrounding fragments can be detrimental to the overall metapopulation, as fragments act as sinks. Nevertheless, the model showed that under certain conditions the maintenance of the metapopulation dynamics might be determinant for the persistence of tapirs in the region, particularly in the smaller fragments. The establishment of corridors connecting MDSP to the forest fragments models resulted in an increase in the stochastic growth rate, making tapirs more resilient to threats and catastrophes, but only if rates of mortality were not increased when using corridors. The PVA showed that the conservation of tapirs in the Pontal region depends on: the effective protection of MDSP; maintenance and, whenever possible, enhancement of the functional connectivity of the landscape, reducing mortality during dispersal and threats in the unprotected forest fragments; and neutralization of all threats affecting tapirs in the smaller forest fragments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]