Bradypus torquatus

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	MAMMALIA	PILOSA	BRADYPODIDAE

Scientific Name:

Bradypus torquatus

Species Authority:

Illiger, 1811

Common Name/s:

English

–

Maned Sloth, Maned Three-toed Sloth

Synonym/s:

Scaeopus torquatus Couto, 1979

Taxonomic Notes:

There are three very distinct populations of this species. The northern population is possibly a separate subspecies (Chiarello pers. comm.).

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Endangered B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv) ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s

Chiarello, A., Lara-Ruiz, P. & Members of the IUCN SSC Edentate Specialist Group

Evaluator/s:

da Fonseca, G.A.B. (Edentate Red List Authority) & Berridge, R. (Global Mammal Assessment Team)

Justification:
Listed as Endangered as this species has an extent of occurrence less than 5,000 km² (based on remaining forest within its highly fragmented range), and there is a continuing decline in range, area of occupancy and habitat due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, combined with the impact of hunting.

History:

2006	–	Endangered (IUCN 2006)
1996	–	Endangered
1994	–	Endangered (IUCN)
1990	–	Endangered (IUCN 1990)
1988	–	Endangered
1986	–	Endangered (IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1986)
1982	–	Endangered

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species is restricted to the Atlantic coastal forests of eastern Brazil. Historically, it possibly occurred throughout the coastal forest of Bahia through to the state of Pernambuco (footnote by O. Pinto in Wied's 19th century account). At present, the southern part of the state of Bahia is the primary stronghold for the species. There are unconfirmed reports of this species from the state of Alagoas; however, the extensive deforestation of suitable habitat in this state suggests that it is unlikely to survive there. There is a natural biogeographic gap in northern Espírito Santo, because of natural deciduous forest in the valley (Chiarello pers. comm.). The species does not occur from the left bank of Doce River to the vicinity of Mucuri River. It has been reported from extreme northern Minais Gerais on the left bank of Jequitinhonha River. The species has been introduced to Caparão National Park and other areas, although it is not known if the species is still present at these sites. The species ranges from sea level to around 1,000 m asl.
Countries:	Native: Brazil
Range Map:	(click map to view full version)

Population [top]

Population:	In some parts of Bahia and Espírito Santo, the animals are locally abundant in forest fragments (Chiarello pers. comm.), although the population density is not well known. Studies of population genetics indicate that there is no gene flow between the populations of southern Bahia (Ilhéus) and Espiríto Santo (Santa Teresa) and those of Poço das Antas. It appears that eastern subpopulations may have been genetically distinct before the fragmentation of habitat. In general, there is little genetic diversity exhibited within individual populations (Lara-Ruiz 2004). Overall, the global population of this species is assumed to be decreasing in response to the continuing loss and fragmentation of suitable habitat.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Population:

In some parts of Bahia and Espírito Santo, the animals are locally abundant in forest fragments (Chiarello pers. comm.), although the population density is not well known. Studies of population genetics indicate that there is no gene flow between the populations of southern Bahia (Ilhéus) and Espiríto Santo (Santa Teresa) and those of Poço das Antas. It appears that eastern subpopulations may have been genetically distinct before the fragmentation of habitat. In general, there is little genetic diversity exhibited within individual populations (Lara-Ruiz 2004). Overall, the global population of this species is assumed to be decreasing in response to the continuing loss and fragmentation of suitable habitat.

Population Trend:

Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This largely arboreal species is found in tropical coastal forest, most typically in areas with an annual precipitation of at least 1,200 mm. It can be found in secondary forest habitats, and animals have been recorded from forest fragments as small as 50 ha, although the long-term persistence of populations at these sites is unknown. It is possible that the species is not found in semi-deciduous forest. It is a strict folivore that has a relatively small number of food plants. Animals descend from trees once a week to urinate, defecate or move to another tree. The females give birth to one young annually; there is no information available about the age at which sexual maturity is reached.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

This largely arboreal species is found in tropical coastal forest, most typically in areas with an annual precipitation of at least 1,200 mm. It can be found in secondary forest habitats, and animals have been recorded from forest fragments as small as 50 ha, although the long-term persistence of populations at these sites is unknown. It is possible that the species is not found in semi-deciduous forest. It is a strict folivore that has a relatively small number of food plants. Animals descend from trees once a week to urinate, defecate or move to another tree. The females give birth to one young annually; there is no information available about the age at which sexual maturity is reached.

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	The coastal forest habitats of this species are diminishing rapidly, and becoming severely fragmented, as a result of lumber extraction, charcoal production, and clearance for plantations and cattle pasture. The species is also significantly threatened by excessive hunting (food and sport) and poaching (especially in Bahia). The genetic integrity of distinct populations is threatened by the release of confiscated animals at different sites without knowledge or understanding of their origins. Additional threats include accidental mortality of the species on roads, and predation by domestic dogs.

Major Threat(s):

The coastal forest habitats of this species are diminishing rapidly, and becoming severely fragmented, as a result of lumber extraction, charcoal production, and clearance for plantations and cattle pasture. The species is also significantly threatened by excessive hunting (food and sport) and poaching (especially in Bahia). The genetic integrity of distinct populations is threatened by the release of confiscated animals at different sites without knowledge or understanding of their origins. Additional threats include accidental mortality of the species on roads, and predation by domestic dogs.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	This species is present in a number of protected areas (e.g. Poço das Antas Biological Reserve; União Biological Reserve; Desengano State Park). In view of the low genetic diversity within fragmented populations, there is a need to develop corridors of suitable habitat between these populations. Confiscated animals should be genetically characterized to determine the most appropriate release site.

Conservation Actions:

This species is present in a number of protected areas (e.g. Poço das Antas Biological Reserve; União Biological Reserve; Desengano State Park). In view of the low genetic diversity within fragmented populations, there is a need to develop corridors of suitable habitat between these populations. Confiscated animals should be genetically characterized to determine the most appropriate release site.

Citation:	Chiarello, A., Lara-Ruiz, P. & Members of the IUCN SSC Edentate Specialist Group 2008. Bradypus torquatus. In: IUCN 2009. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 08 November 2009.
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