Zaedyus pichuy, Ameghino, 1889
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6623975 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6623934 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/1740845A-A20C-FF92-AACC-953B0B7879F8 |
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treatment provided by |
Valdenar |
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scientific name |
Zaedyus pichuy |
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4. View Plate 2: Chlamyphoridae
Pichi
French: Pichi / German: Zwerggurteltier / Spanish: Piche patagédnico
Other common names: Dwarf Armadillo
Taxonomy. Loricatus pichiy Desmarest, 1804 ,
type locality not given. Identified by A. Cabrera in 1958 as Buenos Aires, Argentina. Two subspecies are recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution. Z.p.pichiyDesmarest,1804—pampasofE&SEArgentina. Z. p. caurinus Thomas, 1928 — SE Chile and W Argentina. View Figure
Descriptive notes. Head-body 220-310 mm, tail 80-130 mm, ear 13-17 mm, hindfoot 44-52 mm; weight 0.7-1.5 kg. Male Pichis are slightly heavier than females. Carapace is light yellow to almost black, with relatively long hair protruding through scales and 6-8 movable transverse bands. Apices of marginal scutes of carapace are sharply pointed. Ears are proportionally short and gray. Head is shorter and wider on individuals from northern Mendoza Province (Argentina) than individuals from southern Mendoza Province. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 62, FN = 94.
Habitat. Arid to semi-arid habitats with firm, sandy soils from sea level to elevations of ¢.2500 m. Pichis mainly occur in natural grasslands with isolated shrubs of the Patagonian Steppe and Pampas ecoregions and shrublands of the Chacoan Monte biome. They occur to a lesser degree in farmlands and areas with other agricultural activities.
Food and Feeding. Pichis are opportunistic omnivores, with a preference for insects, feeding on beetles and their larvae, several species and castes of ants, plant material, scorpions, spiders, other insect adults and larvae, soil-nesting bees, vertebrates such as lizards and small mammals, and fungi. Pichis build up considerable fat reserves in autumn,prior to hibernation. Wild individuals do not drink water.
Breeding. Male and female Pichis reach sexual maturity at 9-10 months of age, but some females do not reproduce until their second year. Breeding is seasonal. Reproductive season lasts from spring to early summer, varies latitudinally between three and five months, and is regulated by photoperiod. The Pichiis probably an induced ovulator. Gestation lasts 58-60 days, and litters have 1-2, rarely three, young. Offspring of ¢.50 g are born in October—January inside burrows, where they remain until they are ¢.40 days old and partially weaned. Their eyes do not open until 21 days of age.
Activity patterns. The Pichi is mostly diurnal. It hibernates and emerges only periodically during winter months. It can enter shallow daily torpor during other seasons. Torpor bouts are longer and deeper during periods of environmentalstress. The Pichi digs and uses burrows for shelter and thermoregulation. Single, dome-shaped burrow entrance c.15 cm wide and 8 cm high is usually hidden under vegetation. Burrows are usually unbranched, can reach several meters length, and end in a chamber without nesting material. Burrow depth varies seasonally and latitudinally and reflects level at which burrow temperature is not affected by daily fluctuations in aboveground temperature; it can be as deep as 1-5 m in winter. Burrows are sealed while being excavated, probably for temperature control and to prevent access of predators. Abandoned burrows may be used by other animals, particularly snakes.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. Pichis are solitary, except during the breeding season when several males can chase a female and show aggressive behavior toward each other. No information is available about home range or density. The Pichi can emit a purring sound whenitis threatened that can change into a grunt or a scream.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Near Threatened on The IUCN Red List. The Pichi is mainly threatened by intense (illegal) hunting for food and sport. Individuals are also killed by dogs, hit by vehicles, and affected by habitat modification. Local extinctions have occurred due to a bacterial disease that seems to be related to elevated humidity levels in the environment.
Bibliography. Cabrera (1958), Superina (2008), Superina & Abba (2014b), Superina & Boily (2007), Superina & Jahn (2009, 2013), Superina & Loughry (2012), Superina, Carreno & Jahn (2009), Superina, Fernandez etal. (2009), Wetzel (1985b), Wetzel et al. (2008), Zuniga & Araya (2014).
No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.
