What do we know about armadillos? An analysis of four centuries of knowledge about a group of <scp>S</scp>outh <scp>A</scp>merican mammals, with emphasis on their conservation

Abstract

Abstract Basic knowledge on the biology and ecology of a species is fundamental for the realistic assessment of its conservation status and for planning effective conservation strategies. The latest assessment of the 21 extant armadillo species ( X enarthra, D asypodidae) by the I nternational U nion for C onservation of N ature ( IUCN ) for its R ed L ist of T hreatened S pecies shows that considerable gaps exist in our knowledge of these N eotropical mammals. Our goal was to analyse the existing literature on armadillos to define thematic and regional research priorities that will eventually benefit their conservation. We categorized 3117 publications on extant armadillos published between 1660 and 2011 according to their research topic, species studied, country and publication language. The number of publications per research topic and the number per species were very variable. The nine best‐studied species are classed as L east C oncern by the IUCN , while three of the four least‐studied species are classed as D ata D eficient. At least one field study was done in each range country, but over 80% of field research took place in the USA , B razil, A rgentina and B olivia. Most research was done in the USA on leprosy in D asypus novemcinctus . Most ecological research has been focused on four species, and data on the ecology of D ata D eficient and V ulnerable taxa are virtually absent. Field research on armadillos should be intensified to broaden conservation‐relevant knowledge. Additional studies in the G uianas, P eru, E cuador, C olombia, V enezuela and P araguay are urgently needed to assess the conservation status of armadillos in these regions. Future research should focus on ecology, conservation, population genetics, reproduction and threats. Species priorities should include country endemics, such as D asypus pilosus ( P eru), T olypeutes tricinctus ( B razil) and D asypus yepesi and C hlamyphorus truncatus ( A rgentina), as well as other D ata D eficient and V ulnerable species, especially C abassous centralis and C alyptophractus retusus .