Cyclopes dorsalis, Gray, 1865

Russell A. Mittermeier & Don E. Wilson, 2018, Cyclopedidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 8 Insectivores, Sloths and Colugos, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 99-102 : 100

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Central American Silky Anteater

Cyclopes dorsalis

French: Myrmidon du Costa Rica / German: Mittelamerika-Zwergameisenbar / Spanish: Oso hormiguero sedoso de Centroamérica

Taxonomy. Cyclothurus dorsalis Gray, 1865 ,

“Costa Rica.”

According to F. R. Miranda and colleagues in 2017, subspecies eva, mexicanus, and dor- salis are synonyms of C. dorsalis . Skull and pelage color of mexicanus and eva also conform well to characteristics of C. dorsalis , but since the molecular sample of C. dor salis consisted of a single individual from “Esmeraldas” in the forests of the Pacific coast of Ecuador, the present arrangement must be considered provisional until additional data permit complete analysis. Populations ofsilky anteaters from west of the Andes deserve further scrutiny to clarify their taxonomic status. Because C. dorsalis has recently been elevated from subspecies to species and synonymized with eva and mexicanus, it is important to clarify its current distribution. Monotypic.

Distribution. S Mexico to the inter-Andean valleys of Colombia and along the Pacific coast of Colombia and Ecuador.

Descriptive notes. Head—body ¢.185-215 mm, tail 170-225 mm; weight 155-275 g. Discrete skull characteristics are evident on the Central American Silky Anteater. Fronto-nasal region is not depressed, giving a straight profile. External aperture of ear is directed anteriorly. Naso-maxillary sutures diverge proximally, with very short fronto-maxillary

suture. Fronto-parietal suture has triangular or trapezoidal shape, and pterygoid bone does not overlap tympanic bulla. Color of the Central American Silky Anteater is quite different from other species: fur on body, limbs, and tail is very deeply yellow, dorsal stripe 1s irregular but distinctive, and ventralstripe is weakly marked or absent.

Habitat. Mangrove swamps and tropical rainforests.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. Gestation of the Central American Silky Anteater lasts 120-150 days.

Activity patterns. The Central American Silky Anteater is nocturnal and arboreal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. At Barro Colorado Island, the home range of an adult male Central American Silky Anteater was 11 ha, and average home range of four adult females was 2-9 ha.

Status and Conservation. Not assessed on The IUCN Red List. It is necessary to evaluate the conservation status of the Central American Silky Anteater because its distribution increased substantially with recent taxonomic revisions.

Bibliography. Gardner (2008), Hayssen et al. (2012), Miranda et al. (2017).

Figures

1. Central American Silky Anteater (Cyclopes dorsalis), 2. Common Silky Anteater (Cyclopes didactylus), 3. Rio Negro Silky Anteater (Cyclopes ida), 4. Thomas's Silky Anteater (Cyclopes thomasi), 5. Red Silky Anteater (Cyclopes rufus), 6. Xingu Silky Anteater (Cyclopes xinguensis), 7. Amboro Silky Anteater (Cyclopes catellus)

Distribution. S Mexico to the inter-Andean valleys of Colombia and along the Pacific coast of Colombia and Ecuador.