Xenarthrans: 'Aliens'
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Reveals That Glyptodonts Evolved from Eocene Armadillos
Molecular Ecology (2016) 25, 3499–3508 doi: 10.1111/mec.13695 Ancient DNA from the extinct South American giant glyptodont Doedicurus sp. (Xenarthra: Glyptodontidae) reveals that glyptodonts evolved from Eocene armadillos KIEREN J. MITCHELL,* AGUSTIN SCANFERLA,† ESTEBAN SOIBELZON,‡ RICARDO BONINI,‡ JAVIER OCHOA§ and ALAN COOPER* *Australian Centre for Ancient DNA, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia, †CONICET-Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA (IBIGEO), 9 de Julio No 14 (A4405BBB), Rosario de Lerma, Salta, Argentina, ‡Division Paleontologıa de Vertebrados, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo (UNLP), CONICET, Museo de La Plata, Paseo del Bosque, La Plata, Buenos Aires 1900, Argentina, §Museo Arqueologico e Historico Regional ‘Florentino Ameghino’, Int De Buono y San Pedro, Rıo Tercero, Cordoba X5850, Argentina Abstract Glyptodonts were giant (some of them up to ~2400 kg), heavily armoured relatives of living armadillos, which became extinct during the Late Pleistocene/early Holocene alongside much of the South American megafauna. Although glyptodonts were an important component of Cenozoic South American faunas, their early evolution and phylogenetic affinities within the order Cingulata (armoured New World placental mammals) remain controversial. In this study, we used hybridization enrichment and high-throughput sequencing to obtain a partial mitochondrial genome from Doedicurus sp., the largest (1.5 m tall, and 4 m long) and one of the last surviving glyptodonts. Our molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed that glyptodonts fall within the diver- sity of living armadillos. Reanalysis of morphological data using a molecular ‘back- bone constraint’ revealed several morphological characters that supported a close relationship between glyptodonts and the tiny extant fairy armadillos (Chlamyphori- nae). -
Introduction Recent Classifications Regard the Order Pilosa, Anteaters
Introduction Recent classifications regard the order Pilosa, anteaters and sloths, and order Cingulata, the armadillos, within the superorder Xenarthra meaning “strange joints”. In the past, Pilosa and Cingulata wer regarded as suborders of the order Xenarthra, with the armadillos. Earlier still, both armadillos and pilosans were classified together with pangolins and the aardvark as the order Edentata meaning “toothless”. The orders Pilosa and Cingulata are distinguishable as the cingulatas have an armoured upper body and the pilosa have fur. Studies have concluded that sloths, anteaters, and armadillos diverged at least 75-80 million years ago and that they are as different from one another as are carnivores, bats and primates. The Pilosa are now considered almost exclusively a New World order, however, fossil records indicate that they were once found in Europe and possibly Asia. This order may have been distributed worldwide in the Cretaceous period, but became limited to South America and have remained there for most of their history and evolved into numerous groups. The Pilosa were once far more diverse than they are today; there are known to be 10 times as many fossil as living genera. The superorder is distinguished from all others by what are known as the xenarthrous vertebrae. There are secondary and sometimes even more, articulations between the vertebrae of the lumbar (lower back) series. In other words, consecutive vertebrae connect in more than one place. In addition, the pelvis connects with more of the spine than in other mammals. These adaptations to the spine give support, particularly to the hips. The name Xenarthra refers to this peculiarity of the spine and modem taxonomy places these three groups of animals together, even though they are very different from one another and they are highly specialized. -
Inspection Report
PGLADUE United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 2016082569255248 Insp_id Inspection Report Rhode Island Zoological Society Customer ID: 2245 1000 Elmwood Avenue Certificate: 15-C-0004 Providence, RI 02907 Site: 001 RHODE ISLAND ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY Type: ROUTINE INSPECTION Date: 27-AUG-2018 There were no non-compliant items identified during the inspection. NOTE - Exit briefing held 8/27/18 on-site with facility representative. Report delivered by e-mail 8/28/18. *END OF REPORT* Prepared By: Date: GLADUE PAULA, V M D USDA, APHIS, Animal Care 28-AUG-2018 Title: VETERINARY MEDICAL OFFICER 1054 Received By: TIM FRENCH - DEPUTY DIRECTOR Date: Title: REPORT DELIVERED BY EMAIL 8/28/18 28-AUG-2018 Page 1 of 1 United States Department of Agriculture Customer: 2245 Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Inspection Date: 27-AUG-18 Species Inspected Cust No Cert No Site Site Name Inspection 2245 15-C-0004 001 RHODE ISLAND ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 27-AUG-18 Count Scientific Name Common Name 000004 Acinonyx jubatus CHEETAH 000002 Ailurus fulgens RED PANDA 000002 Alouatta caraya BLACK HOWLER 000003 Ammotragus lervia BARBARY SHEEP 000004 Antilocapra americana PRONGHORN 000002 Arctictis binturong BINTURONG 000003 Artibeus jamaicensis JAMAICAN FRUIT-EATING BAT / JAMAICAN FRUIT BAT 000004 Atelerix albiventris FOUR-TOED HEDGEHOG (MOST COMMON PET HEDGEHOG) 000001 Babyrousa babyrussa BABIRUSA 000003 Bison bison AMERICAN BISON 000002 Bos taurus CATTLE / COW / OX / WATUSI 000001 Budorcas taxicolor TAKIN 000003 Callicebus -
Proving: Two-Toed Sloth (Choloepus Didactylus) Date: October 2017 by Mani Norland, Luke Norland & the School of Homeopathy
Orchard Leigh · Rodborough Hill · Stroud · Gloucestershire · GL5 3SS T: +44 (0)1453 765 956 · E: [email protected] www.homeopathyschool.com Proving: Two-toed Sloth (Choloepus didactylus) Date: October 2017 By Mani Norland, Luke Norland & The School of Homeopathy. The Homeopathic Proving of Choloepus didactylus 2 Latin Name Choloepus didactylus. Common Names Two-toed sloth. Hoffmann's two-toed sloth. Linnaeus's two-toed sloth. Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Pilosa Suborder: Folivora Family: Choloepodidae Genus: Choloepus Sophia Müller, Unsplash(1) About (1, 2) The remedy was prepared from a hair sample and run-up to the 30th centesimal potency by the proving group led by Mani Norland and John Morgan. There were 13 female and 2 male provers; each taking a single dose. The proving was fully supervised for a period of 2 months. The diaries were then collated and repertorised by Luke Norland. Whilst the name "sloth" means lazy or idle, the slow movements of this mammal are a useful adaptation for surviving on a low-energy diet of leaves. They are so solitary in their nature that it is even uncommon for two to be found together in the same tree. The sloth spends almost its entire life, including eating, sleeping, mating, and giving birth, hanging upside down from tree branches. However, when the time comes for urination and defecation they slowly make their way to the ground. This seems to be rather a behavioural quirk, as whilst earthbound they are almost defenceless. Their shaggy coat has grooved hair which plays host to a symbiotic green algae, providing both camouflage and nutrients. -
Taphonomy and Significance of Jefferson's Ground Sloth (Xenarthra: Megalonychidae) from Utah
Western North American Naturalist Volume 61 Number 1 Article 9 1-29-2001 Taphonomy and significance of Jefferson's ground sloth (Xenarthra: Megalonychidae) from Utah H. Gregory McDonald Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, Hagerman, Idaho Wade E. Miller Thomas H. Morris Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/wnan Recommended Citation McDonald, H. Gregory; Miller, Wade E.; and Morris, Thomas H. (2001) "Taphonomy and significance of Jefferson's ground sloth (Xenarthra: Megalonychidae) from Utah," Western North American Naturalist: Vol. 61 : No. 1 , Article 9. Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/wnan/vol61/iss1/9 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Western North American Naturalist Publications at BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Western North American Naturalist by an authorized editor of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Western North American Naturalist 61(1), © 2001, pp. 64–77 TAPHONOMY AND SIGNIFICANCE OF JEFFERSON’S GROUND SLOTH (XENARTHRA: MEGALONYCHIDAE) FROM UTAH H. Gregory McDonald1, Wade E. Miller2, and Thomas H. Morris2 ABSTRACT.—While a variety of mammalian megafauna have been recovered from sediments associated with Lake Bonneville, Utah, sloths have been notably rare. Three species of ground sloth, Megalonyx jeffersonii, Paramylodon har- lani, and Nothrotheriops shastensis, are known from the western United States during the Pleistocene. Yet all 3 are rare in the Great Basin, and the few existing records are from localities on the basin margin. The recent discovery of a partial skeleton of Megalonyx jeffersonii at Point-of-the-Mountain, Salt Lake County, Utah, fits this pattern and adds to our understanding of the distribution and ecology of this extinct species. -
(Dasypus) in North America Based on Ancient Mitochondrial DNA
bs_bs_banner A revised evolutionary history of armadillos (Dasypus) in North America based on ancient mitochondrial DNA BETH SHAPIRO, RUSSELL W. GRAHAM AND BRANDON LETTS Shapiro, B. Graham, R. W. & Letts, B.: A revised evolutionary history of armadillos (Dasypus) in North America based on ancient mitochondrial DNA. Boreas. 10.1111/bor.12094. ISSN 0300-9483. The large, beautiful armadillo, Dasypus bellus, first appeared in North America about 2.5 million years ago, and was extinct across its southeastern US range by 11 thousand years ago (ka). Within the last 150 years, the much smaller nine-banded armadillo, D. novemcinctus, has expanded rapidly out of Mexico and colonized much of the former range of the beautiful armadillo. The high degree of morphological similarity between these two species has led to speculation that they might be a single, highly adaptable species with phenotypical responses and geographical range fluctuations resulting from environmental changes. If this is correct, then the biology and tolerance limits for D. novemcinctus could be directly applied to the Pleistocene species, D. bellus. To investigate this, we isolated ancient mitochondrial DNA from late Pleistocene-age specimens of Dasypus from Missouri and Florida. We identified two genetically distinct mitochondrial lineages, which most likely correspond to D. bellus (Missouri) and D. novemcinctus (Florida). Surprisingly, both lineages were isolated from large specimens that were identified previously as D. bellus. Our results suggest that D. novemcinctus, which is currently classified as an invasive species, was already present in central Florida around 10 ka, significantly earlier than previously believed. Beth Shapiro ([email protected]), Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA; Russell W. -
Xenarthra: Megatheriidae) Were in Chile?: New Evidences from the Bahía Inglesa Formation, with a Reappraisal of Their Biochronological Affinities
Andean Geology ISSN: 0718-7092 ISSN: 0718-7106 [email protected] Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería Chile How many species of the aquatic sloth Thalassocnus (Xenarthra: Megatheriidae) were in Chile?: new evidences from the Bahía Inglesa Formation, with a reappraisal of their biochronological affinities Peralta-Prat, Javiera; Solórzano, Andrés How many species of the aquatic sloth Thalassocnus (Xenarthra: Megatheriidae) were in Chile?: new evidences from the Bahía Inglesa Formation, with a reappraisal of their biochronological affinities Andean Geology, vol. 46, no. 3, 2019 Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería, Chile Available in: https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=173961656010 This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 International. PDF generated from XML JATS4R by Redalyc Project academic non-profit, developed under the open access initiative Javiera Peralta-Prat, et al. How many species of the aquatic sloth Thalassocnus (Xenarthra: Megath... Paleontological Note How many species of the aquatic sloth alassocnus (Xenarthra: Megatheriidae) were in Chile?: new evidences from the Bahía Inglesa Formation, with a reappraisal of their biochronological affinities ¿Cuántas especies del perezoso acuático alassocnus (Xenarthra: Megatheriidae) existieron en Chile?: nuevas evidencias de la Formación Bahía Inglesa, con una revisión de sus afinidades biocronológicas. Javiera Peralta-Prat 1 Redalyc: https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa? Universidad de Concepción, Chile id=173961656010 [email protected] Andrés Solórzano *2 Universidad de Concepción, Chile [email protected] Received: 13 July 2018 Accepted: 27 November 2018 Published: 04 February 2019 Abstract: e aquatic sloth, alassocnus, is one of the most intriguing lineage of mammal known from the southern pacific coast of South America during the late Neogene. -
Edentatathe Newsletter of the IUCN Edentate Specialist Group • December 2003 • Number 5
ISSN 1413-4411 EdentataThe Newsletter of the IUCN Edentate Specialist Group • December 2003 • Number 5 Editors: Gustavo A. B. da Fonseca and Anthony B. Rylands Assistant Editors: John M. Aguiar and Jennifer Pervola ESG Chair: Gustavo A. B. da Fonseca Edentata e Newsletter of the IUCN/SSC Edentate Specialist Group Center for Applied Biodiversity Science Conservation International 1919 M St. NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036, USA ISSN 1413-4411 Editors Gustavo A. B. da Fonseca, Center for Applied Biodiversity Science, Conservation International, Washington, DC Anthony B. Rylands, Center for Applied Biodiversity Science, Conservation International, Washington, DC Assistant Editors John M. Aguiar, Center for Applied Biodiversity Science, Conservation International, Washington, DC Jennifer Pervola, formerly with the Center for Applied Biodiversity Science, Conservation International, Washington, DC Edentate Specialist Group Chairman Gustavo A. B. da Fonseca Design Ted Goodridge, Conservation International, Global Communications, Washington, DC Layout Kim Meek, Center for Applied Biodiversity Science, Conservation International, Washington, DC Front Cover Photo: Southern Tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla). Photo ©Haroldo Castro, Conservation International Editorial Assistance Mariella Superina, University of New Orleans, Department of Biological Sciences, New Orleans, LA Please direct all submissions and other editorial correspondence to John M. Aguiar, Center for Applied Biodiversity Science, Conservation International, 1919 M St. NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036, USA, Tel. (202) 912-1000, Fax: (202) 912-0772, e-mail: <[email protected]>. is issue of Edentata was kindly sponsored by the Center for Applied Biodiversity Science, Conservation International, 1919 M St. NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036, USA. Humboldt, Universität zu Berlin (ZMB). São ARTICLES analisadas evidências históricas sobre a origem do material utilizado na descrição original da espécie, com a proposta da restrição de sua localidade tipo. -
Mammals at Woodland Park Zoo Pre-Visit Information
Mammals at Woodland Park Zoo Pre-visit Information If you are planning a zoo field trip and wish to have your students focus on mammals during their visit, this pre- visit sheet can help them get the most out of their time at the zoo. We have put together an overview of key concepts related to mammals, a list of basic vocabulary words, and a checklist of mammal species at Woodland Park Zoo. Knowledge and understanding of these main ideas will enhance your students’ zoo visit. OVERVIEW: There are over 5,000 species of mammals currently identified worldwide, inhabiting a number of different biomes and exhibiting a range of adaptations. Woodland Park Zoo exhibits a wide variety of mammal species (see attached checklist) in several different areas of the zoo. A mammal field trip to the zoo could focus on the characteristics of mammals (see “Concepts” below), comparing/contrasting different mammals or learning about biomes and observing the physical characteristics of mammals in different biomes. CONCEPTS: Mammals share the following physical characteristics: • Fur or hair • Endothermic, often called warm-blooded. Endothermic animals maintain a constant internal body temperature rather than adjusting to the temperature of their surroundings as ectothermic animals (such as reptiles and amphibians) do. • Mammary glands, which are used to feed milk to young Mammals, like all plants and animals, have five basic needs to survive—food, water, shelter, air and space. They inhabit every continent on the planet and range in size from Kitti’s hog-nosed bat (also called bumblebee bat) at 0.07 ounces (2 grams) to the blue whale at 100 tons (approximately 90,000 kilograms). -
IUCN SSC Anteater, Sloth and Armadillo Specialist Group
IUCN SSC Anteater, Sloth and Armadillo Specialist Group 2019 Report Mariella Superina Chair Mission statement Plan Mariella Superina (1) The mission of the IUCN SSC Anteater, Sloth and Planning: plan for protection of Brazilian Three- Armadillo Specialist Group is to promote the banded Armadillo and Pygmy Three-toed Sloth. Red List Authority Coordinator long-term conservation of the extant species of Act Agustín M. Abba (2) xenarthrans (anteaters, sloths and armadillos) Conservation actions: effective protection of and their habitats. Brazilian Three-banded Armadillo and Pygmy Location/Affiliation Three-toed Sloth. (1) IMBECU - CCT CONICET Mendoza, Mendoza, Projected impact for the 2017-2020 Network quadrennium Argentina Capacity building: (1) teach five training courses; (2) CEPAVE, La Plata, Argentina By the end of 2020, we envision the Anteater, (2) train Argentinean mammalogists in Red List Sloth and Armadillo Specialist Group (ASASG) assessments. Number of members will have achieved increased protection for Proposal development and funding: secure 26 our priority species, the Critically Endangered funding to replenish the Xenarthra Conserva- Pygmy Three-toed Sloth (Bradypus pygmaeus) tion Fund. Social networks and the Vulnerable Brazilian Three-banded Synergy: enter into partnership with zoological Armadillo (Tolypeutes tricinctus). We aim to Facebook: institutions. IUCN/SSC Anteater, Sloth and Armadillo reach this goal by increasing scientific knowl- Communicate Specialist Group edge, raising awareness, developing and imple- Communication: (1) publish four issues of the Website: www.xenarthrans.org menting comprehensive action plans and securing protection of their habitat. Capacity ASASG Newsletter; (2) increase awareness building through training courses will allow us to through campaigns at zoos and other institu- increase the number of researchers dedicated tions; (3) increase awareness for Xenarthra. -
Bone Fractures in Roadkill Northern Tamandua Tamandua Mexicana (Mammalia: Pilosa: Myrmecophagidae) in Costa Rica
PLATINUM The Journal of Threatened Taxa (JoTT) is dedicated to building evidence for conservaton globally by publishing peer-reviewed artcles online OPEN ACCESS every month at a reasonably rapid rate at www.threatenedtaxa.org. All artcles published in JoTT are registered under Creatve Commons Atributon 4.0 Internatonal License unless otherwise mentoned. JoTT allows allows unrestricted use, reproducton, and distributon of artcles in any medium by providing adequate credit to the author(s) and the source of publicaton. Journal of Threatened Taxa Building evidence for conservaton globally www.threatenedtaxa.org ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893 (Print) Communication Bone fractures in roadkill Northern Tamandua Tamandua mexicana (Mammalia: Pilosa: Myrmecophagidae) in Costa Rica Randall Arguedas, Elisa C. López & Lizbeth Ovares 26 November 2019 | Vol. 11 | No. 14 | Pages: 14802–14807 DOI: 10.11609/jot.4956.11.14.14802-14807 For Focus, Scope, Aims, Policies, and Guidelines visit htps://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/about/editorialPolicies#custom-0 For Artcle Submission Guidelines, visit htps://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/about/submissions#onlineSubmissions For Policies against Scientfc Misconduct, visit htps://threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/about/editorialPolicies#custom-2 For reprints, contact <[email protected]> The opinions expressed by the authors do not refect the views of the Journal of Threatened Taxa, Wildlife Informaton Liaison Development Society, Zoo Outreach Organizaton, or any of the partners. The journal, the publisher, the host, and the part- Publisher & Host ners are not responsible for the accuracy of the politcal boundaries shown in the maps by the authors. Partner Member Threatened Taxa Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 November 2019 | 11(14): 14802–14807 Bone fractures in roadkill Northern Tamandua Communication Tamandua mexicana (Mammalia: Pilosa: Myrmecophagidae) ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) in Costa Rica ISSN 0974-7893 (Print) Randall Arguedas 1 , Elisa C. -
Informes Individuales IUCN 2018.Indd
IUCN SSC Anteater, Sloth and Armadillo Specialist Group 2018 Report Mariella Superina Chair Mission statement Three-banded Armadillo and the Pygmy Mariella Superina (1) The mission of the IUCN SSC Anteater, Sloth and Three-toed Sloth. Armadillo Specialist Group is to promote the Act Red List Authority Coordinator long-term conservation of the extant species of Conservation actions: effective protection for Agustín M. Abba (2) xenarthrans (anteaters, sloths and armadillos) the Brazilian Three-banded Armadillo and the and their habitats. Pygmy Three-toed Sloth. Location/Affiliation Network Projected impact for the 2017-2020 (1) IMBECU - CCT CONICET Mendoza, Mendoza, Capacity building: (1) five training courses quadrennium Argentina taught; (2) train Argentinean mammalogists in (2) CEPAVE, La Plata, Argentina By the end of 2020, we envision the Anteater, Sloth Red List assessments. and Armadillo Specialist Group (ASASG) will have Proposal development and funding: secure Number of members achieved increased protection for our priority funding to replenish the Xenarthra Conserva- 25 species, the Critically Endangered Pygmy Three- tion Fund. toed Sloth (Bradypus pygmaeus) and the Vulner- Synergy: enter into partnership with zoological able Brazilian Three-banded Armadillo (Tolypeutes Social networks institutions. tricinctus). We aim to reach this goal by increasing Facebook: Communicate IUCN/SSC Anteater, Sloth and Armadillo Special- scientific knowledge, raising awareness, devel- Communication: (1) four issues of the ASASG ist Group oping and implementing comprehensive action Newsletter published; (2) increase awareness. Website: plans and securing protection of their habitat. www.xenarthrans.org Capacity building through training courses will allow us to increase the number of researchers Activities and results 2018 dedicated to conservation-relevant research on Assess armadillos, sloths and anteaters.