Altitudinal range extension of the nine-banded armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mammalia, Xenarthra), in Irazú Volcano National Park, Costa Rica

Abstract

The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is a widely distributed species throughout North and South America, however its distribution has been restricted by latitude and altitude due to cold temperatures. The maximum reported altitude for the nine-banded armadillo is between 2000–3000 m asl; hence, new records at high elevations might suggest range shifts. Here we report video evidence of a nine-banded armadillo at 3400 m asl near the summit of the Irazú volcano in Costa Rica, which extends upwards the previously known elevation range by 300 m. We speculate this altitudinal range extension is indicative of regime shifts of ecosystems due to climate variability in response to rising temperatures, such as previously reported for several species.