Resumo O presente estudo teve como objetivo confirmar o consumo de formigas cortadeiras por tamanduabandeira Myrmecophaga tridactyla em uma area de plantios de Pinus spp. no estado do Parana, sul do Brasil. O estudo foi conduzido no municipio de Jaguariaiva, em uma area de aproximadamente 8.000 ha, nos anos de 2007 e 2008. Foi confirmada a utilizacao de formigas cortadeiras dos generos Acromyrmex e Atta pelo tamandua-bandeira. Complementarmente foram identificados outros generos de formigas (Camponotus, Solenopsis, Pheidole, Odontomachus, Forelius (cf.), Labidus e Ectatomma), e de cupins (Nasutitermes, Syntermes e Neocapritermes), contribuindo para o conhecimento do habito alimentar de M. tridactyla, especialmente no sul do Brasil.

This is one of the few studies on food habits of armadillos and anteaters in the Caatinga, Brazil. Our aim was to describe food items found in fecal and stomach samples of six species (Dasypus novemcinctus, D. septemcinctus, Euphractus sexcinctus, Myrmecophaga tridactyla, Tamandua tetradactyla, Tolypeutes tricinctus) at the Serra da Capivara National Park, Piaui State, Brazil. For most species, invertebrates — especially Isoptera and Hymenoptera — were the main food source. Seeds were found in samples of most species studied, including M. tridactyla and T. tetradactyla.

Nine species of Xenarthra are found in French Guiana, a French overseas region that lies between Suriname and Amapá (Brazil) in the Guianan Shield. Most species seem to occur throughout this ca. 83,000 km2 region, as deduced from distribution data extracted from a database of 470 visual or vouchered observations. Cabassous unicinctus and Cyclopes didactylus have been mostly observed in the northern part of the country, but additional field surveys are necessary before concluding that they have a restricted distribution. Five species (Cabassous unicinctus, Cyclopes didactylus, Myrmecophaga tridactyla, Priodontes maximus, and Tamandua tetradactyla) are fully protected by national or regional laws. Subsistence hunting is allowed for the two species of sloths, and there is no restriction on hunting Dasypus novemcinctus and D. kappleri. Documented threats include roadkills, which are rather common along the few concrete roads (Tamandua tetradactyla is the most common victim), and deforestation, which is fortunately still very limited at the regional scale. Few studies have been devoted to xenarthrans in French Guiana, except at the Petit-Saut hydroelectric dam, where scientists had the opportunity to handle several hundred sloths that were translocated to a nonflooded nearby area.

Several authors have proposed using harnesses to attach radio transmitters to giant anteaters. We assessed harness endurance and applicability on giant anteaters of different ages, tested improvements on its design, and evaluated potential negative impacts on reproduction. We also assessed the performance of an internal transmitter in a female anteater. We radiotagged 29 animals (26 reintroduced and three in-situ-born cubs) with 37 VHF harness-mounted transmitters, accumulating 370 months of radiotracking giant anteaters in Iberá Natural Reserve, Corrientes, Argentina. Each animal was periodically recaptured finding harness-related wounds in four cases for a total of 82 recaptures. All these wounds were properly treated and healed, and there were no cases of deaths related to harnesses. We designed and field-tested modifications on the transmitter canister shape that reduced resistance to vegetation, and also included an expandable section added to the strap around the thorax that prevented animals from removing their harnesses, while avoiding injuries related to changes in the anteater's weight. The internal implant resulted in a significant loss in signal strength. As result of our experience, we recommend the use of harnesses as the best way to attach radio-transmitters to giant anteaters because they offer the best quality of signal while having no apparent effect on reproduction. However, we highly recommend periodical recaptures of radio-harness tagged animals to avoid potentially fatal wounds coming from ill-adjusted harnesses in animals that are experiencing sharp changes in weight.

To assess some of the habitat characteristics that are important for the survival of two- and three-toed sloths (Choloepus hoffmanni and Bradypus variegatus), a floristic characterization was done in two fragments of the tropical dry forest in Arboletes, Antioquia, Colombia. The study was performed during the dry season of February – March 2007 in an area intervened by cattle farming activity An index of population abundance of each species was calculated using a method of simple transects. The study about habitat use and preference took into account the following parameters: height, diameter at chest height, exposition of the canopy to the sun, abundance of lianas, and proportions of use and availability of the used plant species. Both species of sloths were more abundant in the forest fragment called El Refugio (1.66 and 0.83 individuals/km, respectively) than in the forest fragment La Quebrada (0.62 and 0.2 individuals/km, respectively). Both species of sloths showed preference for Brownea ariza exceeding its proportional availability in both assessed fragments. This arboreal species does not lose leaves in the dry season and offers food supply, refuge, and protection. The architecture of the tree facilitates displacement. All these characteristics make this floristic resource important for the abundance of sloths in the study area and study period.

Resumen La inmovilizacin qumica de los armadillos de tres bandas (Tolypeutes matacus) implica conside-dos protocolos anestsicos utilizados en T. matacus

The conservation status of the 21 extant armadillo species was re-assessed by specialists of the IUCN/SSC Anteater, Sloth and Armadillo Specialist Group between December 2009 and May 2010. Information on their geographic range, population size and status, habitat and ecology, threats, and existing conservation measures was collected from the literature and personal communications. Four armadillo species were classified as Vulnerable, four as Near Threatened, and four were categorized as Data Deficient. Less than half of all armadillo species were listed as Least Concern. Virtually all assessed species are affected by hunting as well as habitat fragmentation and degradation. The populations of only two species are thought to be increasing, while those of at least seven species are in decline. Much work is still needed to ensure the long-term survival of all species. Most armadillo species occur in at least one protected area, but other conservation actions are scarce.