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Home , Giant anteater, Myrmecophagidae

Mammalogy 4764 Fall 2009

Xenarthra Orders , Pholidata, and Tubulidentata Dasypodidae: Xenarthra: Armadillos, , : Anteaters Pholidata: Megalonichidae: three-toed sloths Tubulidentata: Aardvarks Bradypodidae: two-toed sloths

Orginally Xenarthra and Pholidata a single (Edentata) Not all Xenarthrans are truly “edentate”. Neotropical region None of living Xenarthrans has incisors or canines Insectivorous or folivorous Cheekteeth open rooted lack enamel Geographic origin different: Xenarthrous vertebrae Xenarthrans in Neotropical region, Pholidata in Paleartic region

Ground sloths Family Myrmecophagidae: anteaters of S. America 4 species from Southeastern US into S. America sp. Edentate, highly specialized for eating / Almost Elephant size! Long tongues anchored to sternum, viscous secretion

Giant (Myrmecophagidae: Myrmecophaga tridactyla)

Fig. 9.4 Collared anteater Glyptodontidae: Panochthus (Myrmecophagidae: Tamandua tetradactyla)

Skeleton / Tongue muscles Bradypodidae: three-toed sloths

2 recent species of S. America Medium-sized 3-5 kg in mass Lack canines, incisors Greenish hue from symbiotic algae

Three-toed Bradypus variegatus

Fig. 9.4

1 Mammalogy 4764 Fall 2009

Dasypodidae: armadillos Megalonichidae: Two-toed sloths 20 species from Southeastern US into S. America 2 species Primarily terrestrial, powerful diggers Up to 9 kg Unique armored carapace Lack canines, incisors Greenish hue from symbiotic algae Giant – 60 kg Priodontes maximus Two-toed sloth Choloepus hoffmannii

Nine-banded armadillo novemcinctus

Order Pholidata: Scaly anteaters Order Tubulidentata

Orycteropodidae, Manidae (1 family) with 7 species Orycteropus afer (1 species) North Africa and Orient Earliest record about 35 mya Imbricate scales Africa and Europe Edentate Dig in ground or ants and termites Skull long, slender, Up to 65 kg incomplete zygomatic arch

Long-tailed Manis tetradactyla

Savage and Long 1986

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