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The Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is a widespread burrowing species with an expanding geographic range across the southeastern and midwestern United States. Armadillos dig numerous, large burrows within their home ranges and these burrows are likely used by a diverse suite of wildlife species as has been reported for other burrowing ecosystem engineers such as Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus), Desert Tortoises (Gopherus agassizi), and Black-tailed Prairie Dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). We used motion-triggered game cameras at 35 armadillo burrows in 4 ecoregions of Arkansas and documented 19 species of mammals, 4 species of reptile, 1 species of amphibian, and 40 species of bird interacting with burrows. Bobcat (Lynx rufus), Coyote (Canis latrans), Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus), Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), Northern Raccoon (Procyon lotor), Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana), and unidentified rodents (mice and rats) were documented using burrows in all four ecoregions. We documented wildlife hunting, seeking shelter, rearing young in, and taking over and modifying armadillo burrows. The rate of use was highest in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley, a landscape dominated by agriculture, where natural refugia may be limited and rodents are abundant. Armadillo burrows are clearly visited and used by numerous wildlife species to fulfill various life stage requirements, and this list will likely expand if more attention is devoted to understanding the role of armadillos burrows. Armadillos are important ecosystem engineers, and their ecological role warrants more investigation and attention as opposed to only being viewed and managed as agricultural and garden pests.

Site occupancy and daily activity remain mostly unknown for many species of armadillo. Seeking to address this issue for four cooccurring species (Cabassous tatouay, Dasypus novemcinctus, D. septemcinctus, and Euphractus sexcinctus) we deployed camera traps for 60 days in 162 sites across northern Uruguay and southern Brazil. This area encompasses two phytogeographic domains: the Uruguayan Savanna and the southern Atlantic Forest. Most records belonged to D. novemcinctus. We modelled the site occupancy probability of this species as a function of environmental covariates (i.e., distance to water, distance to urban areas and site occupancy of exotic species). Models revealed that site occupancy probability increased with the distance to urban areas. However, when analyzing either domain separately, no covariates influenced site occupancy. To understand the daily activity patterns of armadillos, we measured the nocturnality of each species. All showed highly nocturnal activity, averaging between 22:00 and 00:00. This was unexpected for D. septemcinctus and E. sexcinctus, regarded as mostly diurnal in scientific literature. Then, we estimated the temporal overlap between D. novemcinctus records in either domain and between D. novemcinctus, other armadillos and the exotic species Canis familiaris and Sus scrofa. Dasypus novemcinctus activity did not vary between domains, showed high overlap with that of other armadillos, intermediate overlap with S. scrofa and low overlap with C. familiaris. These results add to our understanding of armadillo ecology, especially that of D. novemcinctus, while also providing valuable insights into threats to this species' conservation, particularly the urbanization of its natural habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) are naturally infected with Mycobacterium leprae and are implicated in the zoonotic transmission of leprosy in the United States. In Mexico, the existence of such a reservoir remains to be characterized. We describe a wild armadillo infected by M. leprae in the state of Nuevo León, Mexico.

Originally endemic to South America, the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) has recently expanded its range northward to Illinois. With this range expansion comes concern regarding potential incoming pathogens; our research, conducted during 2012–2020, consisted of screening armadillos for the presence of helminths, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Mycobacterium leprae. We screened for the presence of T. cruzi and M. leprae, 2 pathogens known to infect humans, using polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. All 80 samples screened for T. cruzi and all 25 samples screened for M. leprae were negative. No parasite specific to the nine-banded armadillo, such as Aspidodera sogandaresi, was detected. This lack of infection is consistent with the idea that animals may be isolated from their common parasites during periods of range expansion. Lack of infection by T. cruzi in an endemic area suggests that these mammals may not be exposed to the infective stages at this early phase of their colonization. Presently, the armadillo has become established in Illinois, yet they have not introduced their parasites into the area. Our study represents the first effort to document the parasitological record of the expanding armadillo within 30 yr of their initial record in Illinois and the American Midwest. This helminthological record of armadillos in Illinois sets the timeline to observe the establishment of A. sogandaresi in the Midwest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mammalian pregnancy evolved in the therian stem lineage, that is, before the common ancestor of marsupials and eutherian (placental) mammals. Ancestral therian pregnancy likely involved a brief phase of attachment between the fetal and maternal tissues followed by parturition—similar to the situation in most marsupials including the opossum. In all eutherians, however, embryo attachment is followed by implantation, allowing for a stable fetal–maternal interface and an extended gestation. Embryo attachment induces an attachment reaction in the uterus that is homologous to an inflammatory response. Here, we elucidate the evolutionary mechanism by which the ancestral inflammatory response was transformed into embryo implantation in the eutherian lineage. We performed a comparative uterine transcriptomic and immunohistochemical study of three eutherians, armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), hyrax (Procavia capensis), and rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus); and one marsupial, opossum (Monodelphis domestica). Our results suggest that in the eutherian lineage, the ancestral inflammatory response was domesticated by suppressing one of its modules detrimental to pregnancy, namely, neutrophil recruitment by cytokine IL17A. Further, we propose that this suppression was mediated by decidual stromal cells, a novel cell type in eutherian mammals. We tested a prediction of this model in vitro and showed that decidual stromal cells can suppress the production of IL17A from helper T cells. Together, these results provide a mechanistic understanding of early stages in the evolution of eutherian pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) are naturally infected with Mycobacterium leprae and are implicated in the zoonotic transmission of leprosy in the United States. In Mexico, the existence of such a reservoir remains to be characterized. We describe a wild armadillo infected by M. leprae in the state of Nuevo León, Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paracoccidioidomycosis is an endemic fungal disease to Latin America caused by at least five species-level genotypes of Paracoccidioides, named P. lutzii, P. brasiliensis (S1a and S1b populations), P. americana, P. restrepiensis, and P. venezuelensis. In this manuscript, we report on Paracoccidioides sp. sampling efforts in armadillos from two different areas in Brazil. We sequenced the genomes of seven Paracoccidioides isolates and used phylogenomics and populations genetics for genotyping. We found that P. brasiliensis and P. lutzii are both present in the Amazon region. Additionally, we identified two Paracoccidioides isolates that seem to be the result of admixture between divergent populations within P. brasiliensis sensu stricto. Both of these isolates were recovered from armadillos in a P. lutzii endemic area in Midwestern Brazil. Additionally, two isolates from human patients also show evidence of resulting from admixture. Our results suggest that the populations of P. brasiliensis sensu stricto exchange genes in nature. More generally, they suggest that population structure and admixture within species is an important source of variation for pathogenic fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Learn more about nine-banded armadillos! The Wildlife of Florida Factsheet series was created to provide the public with a quick, accurate introduction to Florida’s wildlife, including both native and invasive species. Authors Simon Fitzwilliam and Raoul Boughton hope this 2-page quick guide and others in the series published by the UF/IFAS Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation will inspire readers to investigate wildlife in their own backyards and communities and understand the amazing biodiversity of wildlife in the state of Florida. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw456

The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is unique among mammals because females produce litters of genetically identical quadruplets via monozygotic polyembryony. This unusual form of reproduction could have profound impacts on the spatial genetic structure of populations of armadillos, but at present it is unclear whether littermates remain together as adults, or if sex-biased dispersal occurs. The goal of our study was to determine whether fine-scale spatial genetic structure (FSGS) within a population of armadillos diminishes with age (i.e., from juvenile to adult due to the dispersal of littermates away from one another), and if the degree of FSGS for a given age class differs between the sexes. We obtained genotype data at seven microsatellite DNA loci for 421 individuals in a wild population of armadillos inhabiting the Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge in western Mississippi. Correlogram analyses based on measures of spatial genetic autocorrelation showed weak but significant FSGS that was driven by positive spatial genetic autocorrelation among both male and female juveniles and adult males, but not adult females. Positive spatial genetic autocorrelation among adult males could be due to either female-biased dispersal or high variance in male reproductive success. Further work is required to discriminate between these two possibilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is unique among mammals because females produce litters of genetically identical quadruplets via monozygotic polyembryony. This unusual form of reproduction could have profound impacts on the spatial genetic structure of populations of armadillos, but at present it is unclear whether littermates remain together as adults, or if sex-biased dispersal occurs. The goal of our study was to determine whether fine-scale spatial genetic structure (FSGS) within a population of armadillos diminishes with age (i.e., from juvenile to adult due to the dispersal of littermates away from one another), and if the degree of FSGS for a given age class differs between the sexes. We obtained genotype data at seven microsatellite DNA loci for 421 individuals in a wild population of armadillos inhabiting the Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge in western Mississippi. Correlogram analyses based on measures of spatial genetic autocorrelation showed weak but significant FSGS that was driven by positive spatial genetic autocorrelation among both male and female juveniles and adult males, but not adult females. Positive spatial genetic autocorrelation among adult males could be due to either female-biased dispersal or high variance in male reproductive success. Further work is required to discriminate between these two possibilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Armadillos comprise a particular group of armoured animals whose functional morphology of locomotion remains unclear. For the first time, the kinematic patterns of Dasypus novemcinctus are analysed. Eight specimens of nine‐banded armadillos were studied at a research institute in São Paulo State, Brazil. The individuals were induced to cross a horizontal corridor and each gait performed during the time each of them was kept inside this structure was recorded to a detailed analysis posteriorly performed in a computer program. Four parameters regarding speed range were considered: stride frequency (Hz) (1/stride period), stride length (m), speed (ms−1) and duty factor (%). A total of 89 strides have been analysed among symmetrical (60.6%) and asymmetrical gaits (39.4%), and six footfall patterns were here reported as follows: lateral sequences (symmetrical), transverse gallop, canter, bound, half‐bound and crutch walk (asymmetrical). This kind of analysis implements our knowledge on the locomotory aspects of these animals, hence contributing to the improvement of our knowledge on this still poorly known group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although digging is an essential behavior for foraging and burrow construction in the fossorial armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus, this behavior has never been clearly described. Here, we provided the first detailed description of D. novemcinctus digging activity. We observed the behaviors of eight D. novemcinctus at the Lauro de Souza Lima Institute in Bauru. Subjects were individually recorded while digging in an outdoor, former vivarium belonging to the institute. Videos were scored frame-by-frame to yield nine distinct behavioral acts. These were organized into an ethogram and a kinematic flow diagram indicating the most common behavioral transitions. From 248 sequences, we observed that digging generally began with forelimb movement, while hind-limbs were used to remove accumulated soil on the ventral side; the tail provided support against the soil. Before digging, all subjects also half-plunged their heads into the ground, thus breaking up soil. The observed behaviors corroborate the classification of D. novemcinctus as "scratch-diggers" and also clarifies species-specific aspects of digging behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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ABSTRACT: Hunting affects many threatened mammal species in Brazil. We described subsistence hunting patterns for medium‐ (1.0–14.9 kg) and large‐sized (>15 kg) mammal species by a rural community in the eastern Amazon, Brazil. From April 2012 to November 2013, we observed hunts and conducted semistructured interviews with local hunters. We identified species of game mammals in the region, frequency of capture, capture techniques used for each species, yield of the hunt, and reasons that hunting is practiced in the region. We then performed a correlation analysis and multivariate analysis to determine similarities and differences of mammals hunted in each landscape. We recorded 18 species of harvested animals (n = 132) including common paca (Cuniculus paca), capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), southern naked‐tailed armadillo (Cabassous unicinctus), nine‐banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), and six‐banded armadillo (Euphractus sexcinctus). Endangered species that were hunted included giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus) and white‐lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari). The medium‐sized mammals comprised 75.7% of harvested mammals, whereas 24.2% were large‐sized mammals; however, the latter group represented 55.8% of the mass of harvested meat. Half of all biomass harvested was from rainforests that made up 2.2% of the region. Knowing what, how, why, and where certain species are hunted increases understanding of pressure local communities exert on wild animal populations. As the first study of its kind in the eastern Brazilian Amazon, our study is a basis for further work in relation to effect and sustainability of hunting wildlife, and conservation strategies for medium‐ and long‐term management programs for species conservation at the regional level. © 2018 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perceived changes in predator-prey dynamics along with documented declines of northern bobwhite Colinus virginianus have created a renewed interest from biologists and managers about the role meso-mammals play in shaping bobwhite population trajectories. Therefore, we evaluated the efficacy of meso-mammal trap and removal (MMTR) at reducing meso-mammal activity and increasing bobwhite reproductive success; thus testing the predation limitation hypothesis. During 1999-2006, we monitored bobwhite reproduction on 11 sites in three states across the southeastern United States. Combined, there were 37 site-year combinations when MMTR occurred and 20 combinations when it did not occur. We conducted 57 predator surveys and calculated an index of meso-mammal activity (i.e. predator index), for each site, as the average number of station visits per night by raccoons Procyon lotor, nine-banded armadillos Dasypus novemcinctus, Virginia opossums Didelphis virginiana, bobcats Lynx rufus and foxes Vulpes vulpes, Urocyon cinereoargenteus. The average predator index (predator visits per trap night) across sites was 0.13. We collected bobwhite reproductive information from a total of 3935 radio-tagged bobwhites resulting in 2499 nests. We used generalized linear mixed models to evaluate the relationships between MMTR, predator activity, and bobwhite reproduction. The mean predator index for non-trapped sites was 0.21 (95% CLs: 0.18, 0.24) compared to 0.10 (95% CL: 0.07, 0.13) for trapped sites. Bobwhite nests were 1.33 times (Odds ratio, 95% CL: 1.09, 1.62) more likely to be successful on trapped sites than non-trapped sites. Meso-mammal trap and removal had a positive effect on nests per hen (trapped = 0.25 .0.06; 95% CL: 0.13, 0.37), broods per hen (trapped = 0.37 .0.08; 95% CL: 0.21, 0.53), and chicks per hen (trapped = 1.09 .0.52; 95% CL: 0.07, 2.11). Our results show that MMTR reduces meso-mammal activity and positively affects bobwhite reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1–5% of human blood T cells are Vγ9Vδ2 T cells whose T cell receptor (TCR) contain a TRGV9/TRGJP rearrangement and a TRDV2 comprising Vδ2-chain. They respond to phosphoantigens (PAgs) like isopentenyl pyrophosphate or (E)-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-but-2-enyl-pyrophosphate (HMBPP) in a butyrophilin 3 (BTN3)-dependent manner and may contribute to the control of mycobacterial infections. These cells were thought to be restricted to primates, but we demonstrated by analysis of genomic databases that TRGV9, TRDV2, and BTN3 genes coevolved and emerged together with placental mammals. Furthermore, we identified alpaca (Vicugna pacos) as species with typical Vγ9Vδ2 TCR rearrangements and currently aim to directly identify Vγ9Vδ2 T cells and BTN3. Other candidates to study this coevolution are the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) with genomic sequences encoding open reading frames for TRGV9, TRDV2, and the extracellular part of BTN3. Dolphins have been shown to express Vγ9- and Vδ2-like TCR chains and possess a predicted BTN3-like gene homologous to human BTN3A3. The other candidate, the armadillo, is of medical interest since it serves as a natural reservoir for Mycobacterium leprae. In this study, we analyzed the armadillo genome and found evidence for multiple non-functional BTN3 genes including genomic context which closely resembles the organization of the human, alpaca, and dolphin BTN3A3 loci. However, no BTN3 transcript could be detected in armadillo cDNA. Additionally, attempts to identify a functional TRGV9/TRGJP rearrangement via PCR failed. In contrast, complete TRDV2 gene segments preferentially rearranged with a TRDJ4 homolog were cloned and co-expressed with a human Vγ9-chain in murine hybridoma cells. These cells could be stimulated by immobilized anti-mouse CD3 antibody but not with human RAJI-RT1Bl cells and HMBPP. So far, the lack of expression of TRGV9 rearrangements and BTN3 renders the armadillo an unlikely candidate species for PAg-reactive Vγ9Vδ2 T cells. This is in line with the postulated coevolution of the three genes, where occurrence of Vγ9Vδ2 TCRs coincides with a functional BTN3 molecule.

1-5% of human blood T cells are Vγ9Vδ2 T cells whose T cell receptor (TCR) contain a TRGV9/TRGJP rearrangement and a TRDV2 comprising Vδ2-chain. They respond to phosphoantigens (PAgs) like isopentenyl pyrophosphate or (E)-4-hydroxy-3-methylbut- 2-enyl-pyrophosphate (HMBPP) in a butyrophilin 3 (BTN3)-dependent manner and may contribute to the control of mycobacterial infections. These cells were thought to be restricted to primates, but we demonstrated by analysis of genomic databases that TRGV9, TRDV2, and BTN3 genes coevolved and emerged together with placental mammals. Furthermore, we identified alpaca (Vicugna pacos) as species with typical Vγ9Vδ2 TCR rearrangements and currently aim to directly identify Vγ9Vδ2 T cells and BTN3. Other candidates to study this coevolution are the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) with genomic sequences encoding open reading frames for TRGV9, TRDV2, and the extracellular part of BTN3. Dolphins have been shown to express Vγ9- and Vδ2-like TCR chains and possess a predicted BTN3-like gene homologous to human BTN3A3. The other candidate, the armadillo, is of medical interest since it serves as a natural reservoir for Mycobacterium leprae. In this study, we analyzed the armadillo genome and found evidence for multiple non-functional BTN3 genes including genomic context which closely resembles the organization of the human, alpaca, and dolphin BTN3A3 loci. However, no BTN3 transcript could be detected in armadillo cDNA. Additionally, attempts to identify a functional TRGV9/TRGJP rearrangement via PCR failed. In contrast, complete TRDV2 gene segments preferentially rearranged with a TRDJ4 homolog were cloned and co-expressed with a human Vγ9-chain in murine hybridoma cells. These cells could be stimulated by immobilized anti-mouse CD3 antibody but not with human RAJI-RT1Bl cells and HMBPP. So far, the lack of expression of TRGV9 rearrangements and BTN3 renders the armadillo an unlikely candidate species for PAg-reactive Vγ9Vδ2 T cells. This is in line with the postulated coevolution of the three genes, where occurrence of Vγ9Vδ2 TCRs coincides with a functional BTN3 molecule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Miguel Fernández was an Argentinian zoologist who published the first account of obligate polyembryony in armadillos. His contribution is here discussed in relation to his contemporaries, Newman and Patterson, and more recent work.Findings: Fernandez worked on the mulita (Dasypus hybridus). He was able to get early stages before twinning occurred and show it was preceded by inversion of the germ layers. By the primitive streak stage there were separate embryonic shields and partition of the amnion. There was, however, a single exocoelom and all embryos were enclosed in a common set of membranes comprising chorion towards the attachment site in the uterine fundus and inverted yolk sac on the opposite face. He showed that monozygotic twinning did not occur in another armadillo, the peludo (Chaetophractus villosus).Conclusions: Fernández's work represented a major breakthrough in understanding how twinning occurred in armadillos. His work and that of others is of intrinsic interest to zoologists and has a direct bearing on the origin of monozygotic twins and birth defects in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leprosy (or Hansen’s disease) remains an important public health challenge globally, with an estimated 5.5 million total number of cases and 200,000–300,000 new cases reported annually. The nine-banded armadillo ( Dasypus novemcinctus ) is the only known natural non-human vertebrate host of Mycobacterium leprae , the causative agent of leprosy, in the Americas, yet gaps in knowledge remain regarding the dynamics of leprosy in wild populations. Here, we used data from a six-year study of a population of armadillos in Mississippi, USA to quantify the influence of leprosy on armadillo population dynamics, and to investigate leprosy dynamics within the host population. Leprosy reduced annual survival of adult armadillos by ∼15%, and growth rate of the population by ∼13%. The annual infection rate for adult armadillos (i.e., probability that a non-leprous adult armadillo seroconverts, conditional on survival) was 0.18, with no possibility of recovery. Assuming frequency-dependent transmission of leprosy, 18% to 25% of the adult armadillos will acquire leprosy infection in the long run. Finally, the basic reproductive ratio ( R 0 ) was 1.36, suggesting 36% increase in seroprevalence per leprosy generation. Assuming that leprosy generation time is 3–5 years, M. leprae will spread within the armadillo population at the rate of 7–12% per year. Our results are consistent with recent evidence that leprosy infection in armadillos in the USA is spreading rapidly with a concomitant increase in risk for zoonotic transmissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study used 20 nine-banded armadillo, four in vivo and 16 cadavers, to describe the osteoarticular anatomy of the axial skeleton by means of digital radiography and computed tomography. Vertebral formula obtained in this sample specimens was seven cervical, 10 thoracic, five lumbar, nine vertebrae related to the synsacrum and 20-27 free caudal vertebrae. Peculiar features of this species were noted as the presence of xenarthrous processes in the caudal thoracic vertebra to the last lumbar vertebra, with prominent mammillary processes in the thoracolumbar segment, fused cervical vertebra from the second to fourth vertebra and the presence of synsacrum related to sacral and caudal vertebra fused to the pelvis. They are homodont animals presenting only molariform teeth with formula of 8/8, totalling 32 teeth. There was no complexity in the execution of radiographic and tomographic examinations, concluding that execution can be carried out in nine-banded armadillos during the clinical routine for wild animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-four worms were collected from the bronchioles in both lungs of a male nine-banded armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus Linnaeus, 1758 captured in Teacalco, Morelos, Mexico. The worms, herein named Metathelazia mexicana n. sp., show a constriction in the esophagus at the level of the nerve ring; males of the species have 7 pairs of papillae, fewer than the other species in the genus. Metathelazia capsulata is the most similar species to Metathelazia mexicana; however, the latter has much shorter spicules. This is the fourth species in the genus known to occur in the New World.Se recolectó un total de 24 nemátodos de las cavidades bronquiales de un armadillo de 9 bandas Dasypus novemcinctus Lineo, 1758 en la localidad de Teacalco, Morelos, México. Los nemátodos, descritos con el nombre Metathelazia mexicana, muestran una constricción en el esófago al nivel del anillo nervioso y 7 pares de papilas caudales en los machos, número que es menor al observado en las otras especies del género. Metathelazia mexicana es semejante a Metathelazia capsulata en varios rasgos morfológicos pero difiere en el tamaño de las espículas, que son más cortas en la especie aquí descrita. Esta es la cuarta especie del género registrada en el continente americano.

During the last 150 years, nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) have increased their range and abundance in the southeastern United States. When foraging, armadillos cause damage to agricultural crops, as well as structural damage to driveways and foundations. Homeowners frequently use translocation to reduce local armadillo abundance. Despite its popularity with the general public, however, the appropriateness of nuisance wildlife translocation presents concerns for biologists. Our objective was to address some of these concerns by examining survival and movements of translocated armadillos. We translocated 12 armadillos (9 male, 3 female) equipped with radio-transmitters and compared their survival and movements to that of 29 (11 male, 18 female) resident armadillos. Most (92%) of the translocated animals dispersed from their release site within the first few days after release. Resident armadillos generally maintained stable home ranges. We found evidence that translocated animals were able to return to their original capture sites. Therefore, we recommend against translocating nuisance armadillos.

RESUMO Carrapatos são ectoparasitos hematófagos importantes para a saúde pública e animal por transmitirem agentes infecciosos durante a hematofagia, bem como causarem injúrias a seus hospedeiros. A ocorrência dos carrapatosAmblyomma ovale e Amblyomma fuscum é registrada, pela primeira vez, para o Brasil, parasitando tatu-galinha (Dasypus novemcinctus ).

The vertebral column has evolved to accommodate the broad range of locomotor pressures found across vertebrate lineages. Xenarthran (armadillos, sloths and anteaters) vertebral columns are characterized by xenarthrous articulations, novel intervertebral articulations located in the posterior trunk that are hypothesized to stiffen the vertebral column to facilitate digging. To determine the degree to which xenarthrous articulations impact vertebral movement, we passively measured compliance and range of motion during ventroflexion, dorsiflexion and lateral bending across the thoracolumbar region of the nine-banded armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus. Patterns of bending were compared with changes in vertebral morphology along the column to determine which morphological features best predict intervertebral joint mechanics. We found that compliance was lower in post-diaphragmatic, xenarthrous vertebrae relative to pre-xenarthrous vertebrae in both sagittal and lateral planes of bending. However, we also found that range of motion was higher in this region. These changes in mechanics are correlated with the transition from pre-xenarthrous to xenarthrous vertebrae, as well as with the transition from thoracic to lumbar vertebrae. Our results thus substantiate the hypothesis that xenarthrous articulations stiffen the vertebral column. Additionally, our data suggest that xenarthrous articulations, and their associated enlarged metapophyses, also act to increase the range of motion of the post-diaphragmatic region. We propose that xenarthrous articulations perform the dual role of stiffening the vertebral column and increasing mobility, resulting in passively stable vertebrae that are capable of substantial bending under appropriate loads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retroviruses enter host cells through the interaction of their envelope (Env) protein with a cell surface receptor, which triggers the fusion of viral and cellular membranes. The sodium-dependent neutral amino acid transporter ASCT2 is the common receptor of the large RD114 retrovirus interference group, whose members display frequent env recombination events. Germ line retrovirus infections have led to numerous inherited endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) in vertebrate genomes, which provide useful insights into the coevolutionary history of retroviruses and their hosts. Rare ERV-derived genes display conserved viral functions, as illustrated by the fusogenic syncytin env genes involved in placentation. Here, we searched for functional env genes in the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) genome and identified dasy-env1.1, which clusters with RD114 interference group env genes and with two syncytin genes sharing ASCT2 receptor usage. Using ex vivo pseudotyping and cell-cell fusion assays, we demonstrated that the Dasy-Env1.1 protein is fusogenic and can use both human and armadillo ASCT2s as receptors. This gammaretroviral env gene belongs to a provirus with betaretrovirus-like features, suggesting acquisition through recombination. Provirus insertion was found in several Dasypus species, where it has not reached fixation, whereas related family members integrated before diversification of the genus Dasypus>12 million years ago (Mya). This newly described ERV lineage is potentially useful as a population genetic marker. Our results extend the usage of ASCT2 as a retrovirus receptor to the mammalian clade Xenarthra and suggest that the acquisition of an ASCT2-interacting env gene is a major selective force driving the emergence of numerous chimeric viruses in vertebrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The evolution of invasive placentation in the stem lineage of eutherian mammals entailed resolution of the incompatibility between a semi-allogenic fetus and the maternal immune system. The haemochorial placenta of nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is thought to conceal itself from the maternal immune system to some degree by developing inside a preformed blood sinus, with minimal contact with the uterine connective tissue. In the present study, we elucidate the micro-anatomical relationship between fetal and maternal tissue of the nine-banded armadillo using histochemical and immunohistochemical tools. Results: We conclude that the chorio-allantoic villi are separated from the myometrium by a vascular endothelial layer, as previously proposed. However, we also observe that the trophoblast cells establish direct contact with the endometrial stroma on the luminal side of the endometrium by partially replacing the endothelial lining of the sinus. Further, we demonstrate the presence of leukocytes, perhaps entrapped, in the placental fibrinoids at the interface between the intervillous space and the endometrial arcade. Conclusions: The trophoblast of the armadillo invades the uterine tissue to a greater extent than was previously believed. We discuss the implications of this finding for the fetal-maternal immune tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Virginia opossum ( Didelphis virginiana) is widespread in the USA, ranging south through Latin America. The ecology of opossums is such that they are in frequent contact with soils, suggesting that they may function as a valuable bioindicator for chemical contamination in terrestrial environments. Surprisingly, there have been virtually no toxicology studies on opossums. Here, we provide the first analysis of metal contaminants in opossum liver tissues. Liver samples were obtained from 471 opossums, collected from 2003 to 2006, at four sites in North Florida and South Georgia, USA, and concentrations of copper, lead, nickel, selenium, and zinc were measured. We found little evidence of age differences in the concentration of any of the metals. However, there were at least some significant differences between years, males and females, and between sites for each metal, although the pattern of these differences was not always consistent across metals. Concentrations of metals in liver tissue were positively correlated with one another, primarily of each metal (except Pb) with zinc. Reference levels of metal contaminants are not available for opossums, but concentrations of Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in our samples were for the most part significantly higher than those reported from liver tissues of nine-banded armadillos ( Dasypus novemcinctus) collected at the same sites and in the same years. Data from other small mammals studied elsewhere further indicate that metal concentrations in opossums were high, but at this time, it is not possible to determine if these elevated levels generated toxicity. The substantial temporal and spatial variation we found in metal concentrations suggests that determination of baseline levels for opossums may not be straightforward. Nonetheless, this is the first study quantifying metal accumulation in the livers of Didelphis virginiana and, as such, provides an important starting point for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nine-banded armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus, is a member of the family Dasypodidae, which contains all extant species of armadillos and represents the most diverse group of xenarthran mammals by their speciation, form, and range of scratch-digging ability. This study aims to identify muscle traits that reflect specialization for fossorial habit by observing forelimb structure in D. novemcinctus and comparing it among armadillos using available myological data. A number of informative traits were observed in D. novemcinctus and among Dasypodidae, including the absence of m. rhomboideus profundus, the variable presence of a m. articularis humeri and m. coracobrachialis, two heads of m. triceps brachii with scapular origin, and a lack of muscle mass devoted to antebrachial supination. Muscle mass and myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform content were also quantified from our forelimb dissections. New osteological indices are additionally calculated and reported for D. novemcinctus. Collectively, the findings emphasize muscle mass and power output for limb retraction and specialization of the distal limb for sustained purchase of soil by strong pronation and carpal/digital flexion. Moreover, the myological traits assessed here provide a valuable resource for interpretation of muscle architecture specializations among digging mammals and future reassessment of armadillo phylogeny. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Millions of people throughout the tropics consume wild meat. Overhunting reduces food security for people and large predators, yet little is known of the impact of hunting in systems where people and predators target the same prey species. We collate published data on predator diet in Belize with interview data about the consumption of wild and domestic meat by Belizeans, to compare the wild-meat diets of humans, jaguars Panthera onca and pumas Puma concolor and assess the sustainability of the combined offtake by humans and jaguars. Six wild mammal species (nine-banded armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus, paca Cuniculus paca, collared peccary Pecari tajacu, white-lipped peccary Tayassu pecari, red brocket deer Mazama americana and white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus) comprised 7% of the animal-protein meals eaten by Belizeans. Overall, 80% of these meals were eaten by 20% of interviewees, suggesting a necessary role of wild meat for the minority. The same species were found in 69 and 86% of jaguar and puma scats, respectively. We estimate a national annual harvest of c. 4,000 tonnes of these six wild mammals by humans and jaguars, of which 78% is hunted by people. Sustainability is difficult to evaluate because prey population data are lacking in Belize. However, simple models suggest that a sustainable harvest at this rate would require higher prey population densities than averages recorded in hunted Neotropical forests. We emphasize the need for robust regional estimates of game species densities, to improve assessments of sustainability and inform hunting regulations. We recommend that the requirements of predators as well as those of people be considered when assessing wild meat harvests. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We performed a retrospective analysis of hormone concentrations found in blood sera from culled nine-banded armadillos ( Dasypus novemcinctus) with the goal of identifying important sources of variation in, and relationships among, circulating levels of testosterone (males), estradiol and progesterone (females), and cortisol (all animals). Testosterone concentrations were greater in adult males than in yearling or juvenile males. Variation in estradiol was limited to significant differences across months, although no pair-wise comparisons between months were significant. Adult females had higher concentrations of progesterone than did juvenile and yearling females. Among adult females, progesterone varied significantly from year-to-year as well as month-to-month, and was positively correlated with body weight. Progesterone in yearling and juvenile females varied significantly from year-to-year, was positively correlated with levels of estradiol, and was higher in animals that were live-caught as opposed to shot. All animals that were live-caught exhibited higher cortisol concentrations than those that were shot. Among shot animals, there were no sex differences in cortisol concentrations but there were for live-caught armadillos. Live-caught adult females exhibited strong positive correlations of cortisol with estradiol and progesterone. Within each sex there was significant month-to-month variation in cortisol, with concentrations the lowest in June and July. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution of the nine banded armadillo ( Dasypus novemcinctus), the only species in the family Dasypodidae found in the USA, has expanded greatly since the species was first recorded in southern Texas in 1849. Currently, the range of D. novemcinctus includes 15 states in the USA. Previous studies on the geographical expansion of this species, based on physiological experiments and distribution surveys, revealed a possible western moisture limit, a northern temperature limit, and potential north-eastward range expansion in the USA. We applied an ecological niche modelling approach and produced a potential distribution map of D. novemcinctus with comparable western (102 °W) and northern (40 °N) limits, and confirmed the possibility of further north-east range expansion to climatically suitable areas in the USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a new survey of biologists throughout the southern and central United States, in order to update our last analysis of the range expansion and distributional limits of the nine-banded armadillo ( Dasypus novemcinctus) since 1994. While the armadillo's range has remained stationary to the west along a line corresponding to about 50 cm annual precipitation, it has advanced to the north through central Kansas, into central Illinois, south-western Indiana and western Kentucky, through central Tennessee, covering Alabama and all but the north-eastern region of Georgia, and into central South Carolina. The population has reached a latitude corresponding to an average minimum daily January temperature of −8 °C in Kansas . Armadillos may continue to move northwards in states farther east where they do not yet reach the −8 °C zone. In the eastern seaboard states, other factors besides winter temperature extremes may be limiting the armadillo's range expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of wildlife corridors to maintain landscape connectivity has become increasingly relevant to the conservation of wide-ranging species, including the jaguar Panthera onca. Jaguars are particularly threatened in Mexico, where corridor linkages are tenuous as a result of habitat fragmentation. Our study assessed a section of potential corridor south of the Sierra Madre Oriental in eastern Mexico. We conducted 245 interviews with local inhabitants in 140 36-km2 sampling units over a 5-month period and compiled detection histories for jaguars and five prey species: collared peccary Pecari tajacu, red brocket deer Mazama americana, white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus, spotted paca Agouti paca, and nine-banded armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus. These detection histories were then analysed using site occupancy modelling. Each sampling unit was assigned a probability of habitat use based on (1) the two smaller prey species (paca and armadillo) and (2) at least two of the larger prey species (collared peccary and two deer species) using habitat in that unit. This probability estimate was considered a proxy for the prey base of each sampling unit and therefore the unit's suitability as a jaguar corridor. Although the prey base in some areas appears adequate to support a jaguar population, large-scale development projects and the paucity of jaguar sign are major obstacles to this region's potential as a jaguar corridor. Our results suggest that the eastern coast of Mexico may not be a priority area for range-wide jaguar conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Understanding why certain species can successfully colonize new areas while others do not is a central question in ecology. The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is a conspicuous example of a successful invader, having colonized much of the southern United States in the last 200 years. We used 15 years (1992–2006) of capture-mark-recapture data from a population of armadillos in northern Florida in order to estimate, and examine relationships among, various demographic parameters that may have contributed to this ongoing range expansion. Modeling across a range of values for γ, the probability of juveniles surviving in the population until first capture, we found that population growth rates varied from 0.80 for γ = 0.1, to 1.03 for γ = 1.0. Growth rates approached 1.0 only when γ ≥0.80, a situation that might not occur commonly because of the high rate of disappearance of juveniles. Net reproductive rate increased linearly with γ, but life expectancy (estimated at 3 years) was independent of γ. We also found that growth rates were lower during a 3-year period of hardwood removal that removed preferred habitat than in the years preceding or following. Life-table response experiment (LTRE) analysis indicated the decrease in growth rate during logging was primarily due to changes in survival rates of adults. Likewise, elasticity analyses of both deterministic and stochastic population growth rates revealed that survival parameters were more influential on population growth than were those related to reproduction. Collectively, our results are consistent with recent theories regarding biological invasions which posit that populations no longer at the leading edge of range expansion do not exhibit strong positive growth rates, and that high reproductive output is less critical in predicting the likelihood of successful invasion than are life-history strategies that emphasize allocation of resources to future, as opposed to current, reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Ideal therapies for regenerative medicine or healthy aging require healthy organ growth and rejuvenation, but no organ-level approach is currently available. Using Mycobacterium leprae (ML) with natural partial cellular reprogramming capacity and its animal host nine-banded armadillos, we present an evolutionarily refined model of adult liver growth and regeneration. In infected armadillos, ML reprogram the entire liver and significantly increase total liver/body weight ratio by increasing healthy liver lobules, including hepatocyte proliferation and proportionate expansion of vasculature, and biliary systems. ML-infected livers are microarchitecturally and functionally normal without damage, fibrosis, or tumorigenesis. Bacteria-induced reprogramming reactivates liver progenitor/developmental/fetal genes and upregulates growth-, metabolism-, and anti-aging-associated markers with minimal change in senescence and tumorigenic genes, suggesting bacterial hijacking of homeostatic, regeneration pathways to promote de novo organogenesis. This may facilitate the unraveling of endogenous pathways that effectively and safely re-engage liver organ growth, with broad therapeutic implications including organ regeneration and rejuvenation., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests T.J.K. undertakes consultancy work for Resolution Therapeutics., (Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

We provide a review of Dasypus novemcinctus (Nine-banded Armadillo) food studies and report on the diet on Cumberland Island, GA. Major invertebrate foods eaten by Armadillos on Cumberland Island were ants (19.3%); beetles, adults and larvae (27.4 %); centipedes (6.5%); lepidopterans, mostly larvae (caterpillars, 13.2%); millipedes (5.7%); spiders (2.1%); and sowbugs (2.2%). Vertebrates eaten (1.9% volume) were mostly frogs and lizards. Plant material comprised about 12% of the volume, including much fruit such as Melia azedarach (China Berry), Vitis (grapes), Ampelopsis arborea (Pepper Vine), and Serenoa repens (Saw Palmetto). The subterranean fungi, Endogonaceae, were eaten by 23.9% of the Armadillos, comprising 1.6% of the volume of their diet. The millipede Narceus sp. appears to have been greatly reduced, based on the significant reduction of this species as a component of the gut content over three decades. This reduction could be due to Armadillo predation. Ants, scarabaeid adults and larvae, and spiders also showed significant decreases during the period of study, which could be a result of Armadillo predation. A number of items--elaterid larvae, crickets, caterpillars, centipedes, sowbugs, and Endogonaceae--showed significant increases as components of Armadillo stomachs, but it is not known whether these changes might be related to Armadillo predation. The increases could have been due to other causes such as habitat or climatic changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Without doubt, the possession of an armored carapace represents one of the most conspicuous morphological features of all cingulates. Here, we review some of the many ways in which the carapace may have influenced the evolution of other features of extant armadillos (Xenarthra: Cingulata). Effects range from physiological impacts on respiration and thermoregulation, to mechanical and other constraints on reproduction. Additionally, in mammals, armor has been linked with relatively slow plantigrade locomotion, which in turn may have promoted the low metabolic rate and exploitation of a low quality diet typically observed in armadillos. Finally, this network of relationships may help to explain the lack of any obvious kin-selected altruism in the polyembryonic armadillos, such as the nine-banded armadillo ( Dasypus novemcinctus), because of time and energy constraints associated with a short active period devoted almost exclusively to feeding. In mammals, there has been growing interest in describing an ecological 'lifestyle' as the particular way in which each species makes its living, and how this lifestyle constrains the evolution of other phenotypic traits. Based on our review, it appears the carapace has been a major determinant of the lifestyle of armadillos and has played a central role in shaping the evolution of many other features of these animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Burrowing animals act like a geomorphic disturbance, changing the environment through soil excavation, landform creation and bioturbation. The potential zoogeomorphic effects of these actions include modification of surficial features, increased soil erosion, changes in the growth and distribution of vegetation, and modifications to soil fertility. The burrowing ninebanded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) migrated to North America prior to the 1850s and has since continued to expand its habitat to the American Southeast and parts of the Midwest. Little data are available on the zoogeomorphic impact of the burrowing nature of this species, making it difficult to predict future implications of this animal as it continues to migrate into new regions. On the University of South Alabama campus, in Mobile, Alabama, armadillos are present on a 35-hectare unprotected forested preserve used by the university community for outdoor activities and research. To understand the potential zoogeomorphic impact of armadillo burrows on the local environment, morphometric measurements were recorded on 187 burrows located in the study area. Using dimensions of burrow entrances and minimum lengths of tunnels in calculations, armadillos excavated approximately 0.029m3 to 0.04m3 of soil from each burrow. The entrances to burrows averaged 33.5° in slope and tended to be located in a microhabitat of a fallen tree, exposed tree roots, or a sideslope. Persistent fall of forest litter and anthropogenic modifications makes positive identification of spoil mounds possible in approximately half of the burrow sites. Surface modification by armadillos is ongoing in the study area with over half of the burrows classified as active during the four-month project. We concluded that, for southern Alabama, armadillos prefer to excavate burrows into sideslopes, and that given the lack of ground cover, sandy soil, and humid climate, armadillos are an important zoogeomorphic agent in the region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Although Dasypus novemcinctus (Nine-banded Armadillo) is the only vertebrate other than humans to exhibit naturally occurring infections with Mycobacterium leprae, the causative agent in producing leprosy, little is known about patterns of infection in wild populations. Here we provide data on some temporal aspects of infection, obtained from sampling a population of armadillos in western Mississippi from 2005-2010. Annual prevalence of infection varied between 4.5-15%. Incidence density estimates calculated over progressively longer time intervals generated values ranging from 0.11-0.61 new cases of infection/1000 animal days. Of 77 animals that tested seropositive over the course of the study, 14 (18.2%) were seropositive in two consecutive years. Four of these animals were seropositive in three consecutive years, but no armadillos tested positive in >3 straight years. Finally, the proportion of seropositive animals increased with the number of years individuals were enrolled in the study. Together, these data indicate a substantial potential for transmission of infection within this population and confirm the view of leprosy as a slow-acting disease that is largely manifested in older individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structure and genetic diversity of a widely distributed species in a recently colonized area is influenced by the colonizing lineages, life-history traits, and biotic and abiotic factors. The connection established during the Pliocene between North and South America allowed the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) to expand its distributional range northward. High levels of genetic diversity have been recorded in South America, whereas low levels have been detected in populations in the United States, perhaps due to a founder effect during colonization. By sampling animals from Mexico and a few other areas, we test the hypothesis that armadillos in North America were derived from a single founding lineage, and assess whether this newly colonized region shows demographic signatures of expansion. We sequenced the mitochondrial control region of 157 individuals and genotyped microsatellites of 116 individuals. Our mitochondrial results showed 2 divergent lineages with high genetic variation in Mexico when compared to United States populations, suggesting that this species has a higher effective population size in Mexico. Samples from Central and South America indicate that both lineages differentiated prior to their arrival in Mexico. Lineages showed a historical demographic expansion, due probably to the large area of colonization. Clear genetic structure was observed with mitochondrial DNA, whereas microsatellites showed low levels of genetic differentiation. This contrasting pattern can be caused by male-biased dispersal. We conclude that North American populations of D. novemcinctus are derived from 2 founding lineages and show the consequences of the Great American Biotic Interchange influencing genetic patterns in the nine-banded armadillo in Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nine-banded armadillo ( Dasypus novemcinctus) is considered by many to be one of the greatest nuisance wildlife species in the Southeastern United States. Management is difficult because no repellents, toxicants, or fumigants are currently registered for this species; exclusion is laborious because armadillos are adept burrowers; and no effective trapping attractants have been identified. If a suitable lure were discovered, trap capture success could increase and the frequency of nuisance complaints could decrease. We compared the behavioral attractiveness to captive armadillos of 15 commercially available food materials, as well as scents collected from conspecifics, in Florida, USA, 2008-2009. According to 3 distinct behavioral measures, 4 materials consistently elicited the most attraction responses from armadillos: pond worms ( Lumbricus terrestris), crickets ( Acheta domesticus), red worms ( Eisenia fetida), and wigglers ( Pheretima hawayanus). Recognizing that all of these materials were live prey, we devised a second series of experiments to evaluate the relative importance of olfactory cues versus auditory-vibrational cues in evoking a response from armadillos. Results suggested auditory-vibrational cues were meaningful. Finally, we measured sound pressure and vibration levels produced by the most preferred and less preferred prey items. Sound and vibrational cues decreased rapidly below background noise levels within 10-30 cm from baits. Because of this, and because the perceptual range of armadillos to the olfactory cues from these baits appears limited, traps baited with any worm or cricket are unlikely to lure armadillos from great distances. Development of an effective baiting system will require further investigation into the possibility of enhancing the ability of stimuli to travel over long distances. © 2011 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We unite genetic data with a robust test of niche divergence to test the hypothesis that patterns of gene flow between two lineages of the nine-banded armadillo are influenced by their climatic niches. We collected Geographical Information System (GIS) data on climate using locality information from 111 individuals from two lineages that had associated genetic material. We tested whether niches of these lineages were more conserved or divergent than the background environments of their geographic ranges and found evidence for niche conservatism on two axes and no evidence for divergence on any axis. To address the role of niche similarity in gene flow, we genotyped the 111 individuals at five microsatellite loci and tested whether admixed individuals tended to be located in parts of multidimensional environmental space (E-space) shared between the two lineages. We observed an asymmetrical pattern of overlap, in which the West lineage's E-space was almost completely included inside East lineage's E-space. Genetic admixture levels were significantly higher in the West lineage and, for both lineages, in shared portions of E-space. This suggests that niche similarity can facilitate gene flow among disjunct groups with moderate-to-good dispersal capabilities, contrasting with the prevailing view of niche conservatism as a diversifying force. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Multiscale hierarchical structures, materials properties, and mechanical behaviors of the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) shell were studied to provide fundamental knowledge for understanding biological composite systems. The nine-banded armadillo''s dermal shell is characterized into three regions: the forward, band, and rear shells. The forward and rear shells comprise a sandwich composite structure of functionally graded material having relatively denser exterior bony layers and an interior bony network of foam. The forward and rear shell''s strength (~1500MPa) was greater than the intermediate band shell (~500MPa). The band shell revealed a more complicated structure where adjacent bands are partially overlapped and connected with each other to provide flexibility, in addition to protection. Hardness tests showed that the top surfaces of each shell had hardness (~Hv50) greater than the front and side surfaces (~Hv40). Compression test results on the forward and rear shells showed a typical nonlinear deformation behavior similar to synthetic foams, where microbuckling is a key inelastic deformation mechanism. A comparison and contrasting study of the structure-property relations between the armadillo shell and other biological structural materials could provide fundamental understandings for deformation mechanisms that can lead to the development of novel bio-inspired safety system design methodologies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper presents the case of a baby nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) that was rescued from illegal wildlife trafficking in the province of Pastaza (Ecuador) and was delivered to the Center for Wildlife Rescue Flor de la Amazonia Wayra Urku (km.35 via Arajuno, Puyo-Pastaza, Ecuador). This animal had, at the time of rescue, severe hypothermia and dehydration, was treated, and later was introduced to a change in diet deemed ideal for raising it. In this review we discuss the different ways to approach the case and the treatment chosen to avoid a premature death of the animal. It is believed that the proper protocol was chosen to correct the initial unstable state and for effective hand-rearing until the animal was suitable for release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]