The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™
ISSN 2307-8235 (online)
IUCN 2008: T173393A47444393
Cyclopes didactylus (Northeastern Brazil
subpopulation), Silky Anteater
Assessment by: Miranda, F. & Superina, M.
View on www.iucnredlist.org
Citation: Miranda, F. & Superina, M. 2014. Cyclopes didactylus (Northeastern Brazil subpopulation).
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2014: e.T173393A47444393.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T173393A47444393.en
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THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™
Taxonomy
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Animalia
Chordata
Mammalia
Pilosa
Cyclopedidae
Taxon Name: Cyclopes didactylus (Northeastern Brazil subpopulation) (Linnaeus, 1758)
Parent Species: See Cyclopes didactylus
Common Name(s):
• English:
Silky Anteater
Taxonomic Notes:
The taxonomic status of this isolated population of Cyclopes didactylus needs to be confirmed.
Assessment Information
Red List Category & Criteria:
Data Deficient ver 3.1
Year Published:
2014
Date Assessed:
December 2, 2013
Justification:
There is no doubt that rapid and ongoing deforestation of the Atlantic Forest is negatively affecting the
northeastern population of Cyclopes didactylus, as the species cannot survive in the sugar cane
plantations that are replacing the native vegetation in this area and the remaining patches of suitable
habitat are increasingly fragmented. It is therefore highly probable that this population requires listing in
a threatened category. The lack of basic data on its ecology, population size and density, however,
currently do not allow a realistic assessment of its conservation status. The northeastern population of
C. didactylus is therefore classified as Data Deficient. Field studies are urgently needed to confirm the
taxonomic status of this population and to obtain sufficient information for an appropriate assessment
of its conservation status.
Previously Published Red List Assessments
2013 – Data Deficient (DD)
Geographic Range
Range Description:
This subpopulation of the silky anteater (Cyclopes didactylus) occurs in coastal northeastern Brazil, in
the states of Paraíba, Pernambuco, Alagoas and Rio Grande do Norte (Miranda and Superina 2010). It is
isolated from the main silky anteater population by approximately 1,000 km.
Country Occurrence:
Native: Brazil (Alagoas, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Norte)
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Cyclopes didactylus (Northeastern Brazil subpopulation) – published in 2014.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T173393A47444393.en
1
Population
No data are available on the population size or density of this isolated population of C. didactylus.
Ongoing deforestation is likely to further decimate the wild population of this smallest of all anteaters.
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
Habitat and Ecology (see Appendix for additional information)
The northeastern subpopulation of C. didactylus is restricted to tropical moist lowland forests. It has
recently been observed in mangrove habitat (F.R. Miranda pers. comm. 2013). Nothing is known about
the biology or ecology of this smallest of all anteaters.
Systems: Terrestrial
Use and Trade (see Appendix for additional information)
In northeastern Brazil, silky anteaters are captured for the illegal trade (F. Miranda pers. comm. 2010).
Threats (see Appendix for additional information)
The northeastern population of C. didactylus is severely threatened by rapid deforestation of its suitable
habitat (Atlantic Forest) due to the increase in sugar cane plantations, which, in addition to direct
habitat loss, also leads to habitat fragmentation and degradation. Only five percent of the original
extent of suitable habitat remain intact (Galindo-Leal and De Gusmão Câmara 2003). The current area
of Atlantic Forest in the range states amounts to approximately 3,000 km² (Campanili and Prochnow
2006). Furthermore, silky anteaters are captured for illegal trade (F. Miranda pers. comm. 2010).
Conservation Actions (see Appendix for additional information)
There are no State or National parks within the range of the northeastern Brazil subpopulation of C.
didactylus.
Credits
Assessor(s):
Miranda, F. & Superina, M.
Reviewer(s):
Abba, A.M.
Facilitators(s) and
Compiler(s):
Superina, M.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Cyclopes didactylus (Northeastern Brazil subpopulation) – published in 2014.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T173393A47444393.en
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Bibliography
Campanili, M. and Prochnow, M. 2006. Mata Atlântica - Uma rede pela floresta. Rede de ONGs da Mata
Atlântica, Brasília.
da Fonseca, G.A.B., Herrmann, G., Leite, Y.L.R, Mittermeier, R.A., Rylands, A.B. and Patton, J.L. 1996. Lista
anotada dos mamiferos do Brasil. Conservation International Occasional Paper 4: 38 pp.
Fonseca, G.A.B. da and Aguiar, J.M. 2004. The 2004 Edentate Species Assessment Workshop. Edentata 6:
1-26.
Galindo-Leal, C. and De Gusmao Câmara, I. (eds). 2003. The Atlantic Forest of South America:
biodiversity status, threats, and outlook. State of the Hotspots. Island Press, CABS/CI, Washington, DC,
USA.
Gardner, A.L. 2007. Magnorder Xenarthra. In: A.L. Gardner (ed.), Mammals of South America, pp. 127176. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago.
Hayssen, V., Miranda, F. and Pasch, B. 2012. Cyclopes didactylus (Pilosa: Cyclopedidae). Mammalian
Species 44(895): 51-58.
IUCN. 2014. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.1. Available at: www.iucnredlist.org.
(Accessed: 12 June 2014).
Miranda, F. and Superina, M. 2010. New distribution records of the silky anteater Cyclopes didactylus
(Mammalia, Pilosa, Cyclopedidae) in coastal northeastern Brasil. Mastozoología Neotropical 17(2): 381384.
Wetzel, R.M. 1982. Systematics, distribution, ecology, and conservation of South American edentates.
In: M.A. Mares and H.H. Genoways (eds), Mammalian biology in South America, pp. 345-375. University
of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Wetzel, R.M. 1985. The identification and distribution of recent Xenarthra (=Edentata). In: G.G.
Montgomery (ed.), The evolution and ecology of armadillos, sloths and vermilinguas, pp. 5-21.
Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington.
Citation
Miranda, F. & Superina, M. 2014. Cyclopes didactylus (Northeastern Brazil subpopulation). The IUCN Red
List of Threatened Species 2014: e.T173393A47444393. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.20141.RLTS.T173393A47444393.en
Disclaimer
To make use of this information, please check the Terms of Use.
External Resources
For Images and External Links to Additional Information, please see the Red List website.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Cyclopes didactylus (Northeastern Brazil subpopulation) – published in 2014.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T173393A47444393.en
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Appendix
Habitats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Habitat
Season
Suitability
Major
Importance?
1. Forest -> 1.6. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland
Resident
Suitable
Yes
1. Forest -> 1.7. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Mangrove Vegetation Above
High Tide Level
Resident
Suitable
Yes
Use and Trade
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
End Use
Local
National
International
Pets/display animals, horticulture
Yes
Yes
No
Threats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Threat
Timing
Scope
Severity
Impact Score
2. Agriculture & aquaculture -> 2.1. Annual &
perennial non-timber crops -> 2.1.3. Agro-industry
farming
Ongoing
Majority (5090%)
Rapid declines
Medium
impact: 7
Stresses:
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
Ongoing
Unknown
Stresses:
2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality
5. Biological resource use -> 5.1. Hunting & trapping
terrestrial animals -> 5.1.1. Intentional use (species is
the target)
-
-
Conservation Actions in Place
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Conservation Actions in Place
In-Place Research, Monitoring and Planning
Action Recovery plan: Yes
Systematic monitoring scheme: No
In-Place Land/Water Protection and Management
Conservation sites identified: Yes, over part of range
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Cyclopes didactylus (Northeastern Brazil subpopulation) – published in 2014.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T173393A47444393.en
4
Conservation Actions in Place
Occur in at least one PA: No
Area based regional management plan: No
Invasive species control or prevention: No
In-Place Species Management
Harvest management plan: No
Successfully reintroduced or introduced beningly: No
Subject to ex-situ conservation: No
In-Place Education
Subject to recent education and awareness programmes: Yes
Included in international legislation: No
Subject to any international management/trade controls: No
Conservation Actions Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Conservation Actions Needed
1. Land/water protection -> 1.1. Site/area protection
1. Land/water protection -> 1.2. Resource & habitat protection
2. Land/water management -> 2.1. Site/area management
2. Land/water management -> 2.3. Habitat & natural process restoration
3. Species management -> 3.2. Species recovery
3. Species management -> 3.4. Ex-situ conservation -> 3.4.1. Captive breeding/artificial propagation
4. Education & awareness -> 4.1. Formal education
4. Education & awareness -> 4.3. Awareness & communications
5. Law & policy -> 5.1. Legislation -> 5.1.2. National level
5. Law & policy -> 5.1. Legislation -> 5.1.3. Sub-national level
Research Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Research Needed
1. Research -> 1.1. Taxonomy
1. Research -> 1.2. Population size, distribution & trends
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Cyclopes didactylus (Northeastern Brazil subpopulation) – published in 2014.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T173393A47444393.en
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Research Needed
1. Research -> 1.3. Life history & ecology
1. Research -> 1.5. Threats
1. Research -> 1.6. Actions
2. Conservation Planning -> 2.1. Species Action/Recovery Plan
2. Conservation Planning -> 2.2. Area-based Management Plan
3. Monitoring -> 3.1. Population trends
3. Monitoring -> 3.4. Habitat trends
Additional Data Fields
Distribution
Continuing decline in area of occupancy (AOO): Yes
Estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) (km²): 25000
Continuing decline in extent of occurrence (EOO): Yes
Population
Continuing decline of mature individuals: Yes
Population severely fragmented: Yes
Habitats and Ecology
Continuing decline in area, extent and/or quality of habitat: Yes
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Cyclopes didactylus (Northeastern Brazil subpopulation) – published in 2014.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T173393A47444393.en
6
The IUCN Red List Partnership
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is produced and managed by the IUCN Global Species
Programme, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and The IUCN Red List Partnership. The IUCN
Red List Partners are: BirdLife International; Botanic Gardens Conservation International; Conservation
International; Microsoft; NatureServe; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Sapienza University of Rome; Texas
A&M University; Wildscreen; and Zoological Society of London.
THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™