Xenarthrans—anteaters, sloths, and armadillos—have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, 10 anteaters, and 6 sloths. Our data set includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to the austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n = 5,941), and Cyclopes sp. have the fewest (n = 240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n = 11,588), and the fewest data are recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n = 33). With regard to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n = 962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n = 12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other data sets of Neotropical Series that will become available very soon (i.e., Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans data set. Please cite this data paper when using its data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using these data.

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Please cite this article as: Giné, G.A.F., Cassano, C.R., Almeida, S.S., Faria, D.,Activity budget, pattern and rhythm of maned sloths (Bradypus torquatus): responses to variations in ambient temperature, Mammalian Biology (2015), http://dx.A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t 1 Activity budget, pattern and rhythm of maned sloths (Bradypus torquatus): 1 responses to variations in ambient temperature 2 Abstract 25 Three-toed sloths (Bradypus) are heterothermic, and ambient temperature may have a 26 direct effect on their activity levels. Our goal was to describe the time budget, pattern 27 and rhythm of activity of the maned sloth, Bradypus torquatus (Xenarthra: 28 Bradypodidae), and to evaluate the effect of ambient temperature on its activity. We 29 hypothesized that 1. sloth activity increases with ambient temperature, fluctuating with 30 the circadian temperature cycle, and 2. sloths are more active in the diurnal period 31 during colder seasons than warm seasons due to constraints or avoidance of the colder 32 times within a 24-h cycle. Nine radio-collared individuals were followed in forest 33 remnants in southern Bahia, Brazil from March 2003 to April 2014. Behavior data of 8 34 sloths were collected during the diurnal period by direct visualization (608 h of record), 35 and the activities of 4 sloths were recorded by an automated system during continuous 36 hours (744 h of record). The maned sloths exhibited low activity levels, resting 77% of 37 a 24-h period. In general, they were cathemeral, although they were twice as active in 38 the diurnal phase (active 32% of the time) compared with the nocturnal phase (15%). 39 The ambient temperature had a significant positive effect on activity levels. The rhythm 40 of activity was circadian and synchronized with the ambient temperature. No difference 41 was detected in the diurnal activity between hotter and colder seasons, most likely 42 reflecting the low fluctuations in climatic conditions of this tropical forest. The narrow 43 relationship between the circadian activity pattern of maned sloths and the ambient 44 temperature cycle highlight their poor thermoregulatory ability. The lower activity 45 levels exhibited during colder times may represent a behavioral adaptation that reduces 46 heat loss, enhances body temperature control and optimizes energetic benefits, a key 47 feature for a species relying on a low energetic diet.48 49

Activity and behavior patterns are important components of a given species' ecological strategy, as they have profound implications for its survival and reproduction. Here, we studied the activities, movements and secretive behavior of the thin-spined porcupine Chaetomys subspinosus (Rodentia: Erethizontidae), a threatened arboreal folivore in the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest. We aimed to ascertain the behavioral strategies used by this species as well as its responses to seasonal and daily climatic changes. Four radio-collared individuals were followed continuously for 72-h in the summer and winter, as well as during 146 half-night sessions conducted from April 2005 to September 2006 in forest remnants in southern Bahia. The thin-spined porcupines were nocturnally active (17:30-05:40 h), with peaks in activity and movement from 19:00 to 20:00 h and 03:00 to 04:00 h. Animals followed a circadian rhythm of activity during both the summer and winter. During the diel cycle, porcupines spent 74% of their time resting, 14% feeding, 11% traveling and 2% performing other activities. Distance traveled during the diel cycle averaged 277.5 Ϯ 117.9 m sd. The mean movement rate during the night was 21.6 Ϯ 30.1 m/h sd. No significant changes in activity budget or daily distance traveled were observed between seasons, most likely in response to the low fluctuations in climatic conditions and food availability throughout the year in the study region. However, rainfall reduced the time that the animals spent on feeding activities and explained day-to-day differences in activity budgets. We also provide details about intraspecific interactions and defecation behavior. Our observations confirmed that thin-spined porcupines, similar to other folivorous species, present low activity levels and short daily movements, and have adopted various cryptic habits, such as nocturnality, a solitary lifestyle, the tendency to leave offspring alone most of the time and defecation in concealed latrines.

Abstract. Measures of traits are the basis of functional biological diversity. Numerous works consider mean species-level measures of traits while ignoring individual variance within species. However, there is a large amount of variation within species and it is increasingly apparent that it is important to consider trait variation not only between species, but also within species. Mammals are an interesting group for investigating trait-based approaches because they play diverse and important ecological functions (e.g., pollination, seed dispersal, predation, grazing) that are correlated with functional traits. Here we compile a data set comprising morphological and life history information of 279 mammal species from 39,850 individuals of 388 populations ranging from À5.83 to À29.75 decimal degrees of latitude and À34.82 to À56.73 decimal degrees of longitude in the Atlantic forest of South America. We present trait information from 16,840 individuals of 181 species of non-volant mammals (Rodentia, Didelphimorphia, Carnivora, Primates, Cingulata, Artiodactyla, Pilosa, Lagomorpha, Perissodactyla) and from 23,010 individuals of 98 species of volant mammals (Chiroptera). The traits reported include body mass, age, sex, reproductive stage, as well as the geographic coordinates of sampling for all taxa. Moreover, we gathered information on forearm length for bats and body length and tail length for rodents and marsupials. No copyright restrictions are associated with the use of this data set. Please cite this data paper when the data are used in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using the data.

The thin-spined porcupine, Chaetomys subspinosus, is an endemic mammal of the Atlantic forest of northeastern Brazil. With its population declining, it has been listed as "vulnerable" in the Brazilian Red List. Its National Action Plan, published in 2011, intended to develop awareness projects about the species in local communities, to implement alternative income projects and protein consumption, and to evaluate hunting pressure. This study investigates rural residents' knowledge of the thin-spined porcupine and its uses within two protected areas. We also examine residents' behaviour and perceptions about wildlife conservation. One hundred twenty-five semi-structured interviews were conducted with rural residents of the Una Wildlife Refuge and the Serra do Conduru State Park. Local knowledge was higher among males with lower levels of formal education who were current or past hunters. Negative behaviour occurs among residents in both protected areas. There is a need for greater control of potential threats such as hunting, use of fire and deforestation, which are inconsistent with the existence of protected areas and conservation of the thin-spined porcupine. Information provided by this study can improve and promote actions within the National Action Plan for the conservation of C. subspinosus.Key words: Human Behaviour; Hunting; Local people; Perception of rural residents; Thin-spined porcupine. ResumoO ouriço-preto, Chaetomys subspinosus, é um mamífero endêmico da Mata Atlântica do nordeste brasileiro. Devido ao declínio populacional da espécie, ele tem sido listado como "vulnerável" pela IUCN. O Plano de Ação Nacional da espécie foi publicado em 2011 e tem como objetivos desenvolver projetos de conscientização sobre a espécie, implementar projetos de renda alternativa e fonte de proteína alimentar e avaliar a pressão da caça. Esse estudo investiga o conhecimento de moradores rurais sobre o ouriço-preto e seus usos em áreas protegidas. O comportamento e percepções dos moradores com relação à conservação da fauna também foram investigados. Foram conduzidas 125 entrevistas semi-estruturadas com moradores rurais do Refúgio de Vida Silvestre de Una e do Parque Estadual Serra do Conduru. O conhecimento local sobre a espécie foi maior em homens com pouca escolaridade e que estavam envolvidos com a atividade de caça. Comportamentos negativos são realizados pelas pessoas em ambas as áreas. É necessário que haja um maior controle sobre as potenciais ameaças a espécie como caça, uso do fogo e desmatamento, pois tais práticas são inconsistentes com a existência das áreas protegidas e com a conservação do ouriço-preto. As informações fornecidas por esse estudo visam melhorar e direcionar as ações do Plano de Ação Nacional para conservação da espécie.

The threatened thin-spined porcupine (Chaetomys subspinosus), a forest-specialist endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic forest, was rarely detected in the wild during the 20th century. Previous geographic distribution assessments were carried out nearly three decades ago and were based on interview data. We performed extensive field surveys (based on active search and interviews), a literature review, and species distribution modeling to predict and validate a more reliable picture of its geographic distribution and environmental suitability gradient. We identified the main predictors of species’ incidence, its conservation status, and pinpointed key areas for species conservation. Our results indicated that C. subspinosus is distributed continuously in the Atlantic forest from southeastern Espirito Santo to central-eastern Sergipe state, totaling 104,326 km2 of occurrence area, although only 3,299 km2 (13.3%) is currently represented by native forests (species habitat). C. subspinosus was absent or at least so rare that it was not detected in more than half of the locations sampled by interviews (53.5%). Our results suggest that populations are sensitive to climatic conditions and habitat loss, becoming abruptly rarer when the remaining forest cover reaches less than 10% area within a region (~ 5,000 km2 scale). This result indicates that the high deforestation level of the Atlantic forest is already close to the limit of regional species resistance. Bahia state still harbors the bulk of the remaining forest with high climatic suitability, and generally under low levels of legal protection. Herein we highlight priority areas and research gaps that could guide decision makers to promote conservation strategies for this threatened species.

Studies investigating rickettsial infections in ticks parasitizing wild animals in the Northeast region of Brazil have been confined to the detection of Rickettsia amblyommii in immature stages of Amblyomma longirostre collected from birds in the state of Bahia, and in immatures and females of Amblyomma auriculariumcollected from the striped hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus semistriatus) and armadillos (Euphractus sexcinctus) in the state of Pernambuco. The current study extends the distribution of R. amblyommii (strain Aranha), which was detected in A. longirostre collected from the thin-spined porcupine Chaetomys subspinosus and the hairy dwarf porcupine Coendou insidiosus. In addition, we report the first detection of Rickettsia bellii in adults of A. longirostre collected from C. insidiosus in the state of Bahia.