Aportes al conocimiento del armadillo peludo de nariz larga (Dasypus pilosus)

Abstract

The hairy long-nosed armadillo (Dasypus pilosus) is the least known of the five armadillo species reported for Peru. This species is endemic to the montane forests of northeastern Peru. During a wildlife inventory in Río Abiseo National Park, eight specimens were collected in montane forest or low montane forest. Stomach content analyses show that they are opportunistic insectivores that feed mainly on larvae living underground or forming colonies. The most commonly consumed species (adults and larvae) were hymenopterans, lepidopterans, and coleopterans. In addition, previous species records were reviewed. Their analysis suggests that D. pilosus may use grasslands near the forest edge and those in the jalca, and that it is present in conservation areas of San Martín, Amazonas and Cajamarca. Effective conservation of D. pilosus requires a better understanding of the basic aspects of its biology and ecology.