Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research (2001) 34: 9-25 Biology of the sloth 9 ISSN 0100-879X Sloth biology: an update on their physiological ecology, behavior and role as vectors of arthropods and arboviruses D.P. Gilmore2, 1Departamento de Fisiologia e Farmacologia, C.P. Da Costa1 and Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brasil D.P.F. Duarte1 2Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK Abstract Correspondence This is a review of the research undertaken since 1971 on the behavior Key words C.P. Da Costa and physiological ecology of sloths. The animals exhibit numerous · Sloths Departamento de Fisiologia e fascinating features. Sloth hair is extremely specialized for a wet · Ecology Farmacologia, UFPE · tropical environment and contains symbiotic algae. Activity shows Behavior 50670-901 Recife, PE · Parasites circadian and seasonal variation. Nutrients derived from the food, Brasil · Bradypus Fax: +55-81-271-8350 particularly in Bradypus, only barely match the requirements for · Choloepus E-mail:
[email protected] energy expenditure. Sloths are hosts to a fascinating array of commen- sal and parasitic arthropods and are carriers of various arthropod- Research supported by CNPq and borne viruses. Sloths are known reservoirs of the flagellate protozoan FACEPE. D.P. Gilmore is the which causes leishmaniasis in humans, and may also carry trypano- recipient of a Royal Society and somes and the protozoan Pneumocystis carinii. Brazilian Academy of Sciences International Exchange fellowship. Introduction ela, French Guiana, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil Received April 12, 2000 and Bolivia. The species is still common, but Accepted August 7, 2000 We have recently reviewed the literature its numbers are fewer in areas where it coex- in terms of the physiological studies carried ists with the three-toed sloth.