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Chlamyphorus truncatus
– Near Threatened
Taxonomy
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Kingdom:
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ANIMALIA
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Phylum:
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CHORDATA
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Class:
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MAMMALIA
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Order:
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CINGULATA
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Family:
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DASYPODIDAE
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Scientific Name:
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Chlamyphorus truncatus
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Species Authority:
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Harlan, 1825
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Common Name/s:
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| English | — | LESSER FAIRY ARMADILLO, LESSER PICHI CIEGO, PINK FAIRY ARMADILLO |
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Assessment Information
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Red List Category & Criteria:
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NT ver 3.1 (2001)
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Year Assessed:
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2006
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Assessor/s:
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Superina, M., Abba, A., Vizcaino, S., Porini, G., Meritt, D. & members of the Edentate Specialist Group
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Evaluator/s:
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Sechrest, W. (Global Mammal Assessment) & da Fonseca, G.A.B. & members of the Edentate Specialist Group
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Justification:
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Although endemic to central Argentina, the species' distribution is rather large. The species' biology and ecology is poorly known. Throughout its range there is extensive habitat degradation, especially from cattle, but the actual affect on the populations are not well understood. The species is listed as Near Threatened due to estimates of decline in the last ten years due to habitat loss.
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History:
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| 1982 | - | Insufficiently Known (Thornback and Jenkins 1982) |
| 1986 | - | Insufficiently Known (IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1986) |
| 1988 | - | Insufficiently Known (IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1988) |
| 1990 | - | Insufficiently Known (IUCN 1990) |
| 1994 | - | Insufficiently Known (Groombridge 1994) |
| 1996 | - | Endangered (Baillie and Groombridge 1996) |
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Geographic Range
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Range Description:
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This species is endemic to central Argentina where it is found in the Provinces of Buenos Aires (southern part only), Catamarca, Cordoba, La Pampa, La Rioja, Mendoza, San Juan and San Luis (Edentate SG, Gardner 2005).
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Countries:
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Native:
Argentina
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Population
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Population:
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It may be relatively rare. The species was not recorded during four years of fieldwork in Mendoza Province (Mariela Superina, pers. comm).
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Population Trend:
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Habitat and Ecology
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Habitat and Ecology:
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This nocturnal species is found in dry grassland and sandy plains with thornbush and cacti type vegetation. It has a diet largely composed of insects, but also includes carrion, other invertebrates, roots and other vegetation (Nowak 1999).
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System:
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Terrestrial
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Threats
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Threats:
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Arable agriculture, principally ploughing of fields, is the predominant threat facing this species, but predation by domestic cats is also contributing to its decline (Nowak 1999). Local people do not keep this species as pets.
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Conservation Actions
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Conservation Actions:
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It is present in a number of protected areas including Lihue Calel, La Pampa National Park (9,905 ha), and some provincial protected areas in Mendoza. There is national and provincial legislation specifically in place for its protection such as Provincial Law 6599 Mendoza and National Resolution 1089. Further studies into populations and demography of this species are needed.
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