Report of three non-agonistic encounters of free-living giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)

Catapani, Mariana Labão; Molina, Karina Theodoro; Lopes, Alexandre Martins Costa; Miranda, Flávia Regina

doi:10.2305/iucn.ch.2019.edentata-20-1.6.en

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…With a larger sample size, a multi-institutional study could provide more insight on the role gender plays on behavior when conspecifics are detected. In-situ studies acknowledge that lack of sexual dimorphism prohibit researchers from confirming gender during agonistic and tolerant encounters unless the individual is caring for a pup or has been tagged or fitted with a transmitter (Catapani et al, 2019;Shaw et al, 1987). Research conducted at zoos could benefit zoo-housed giant anteaters as well as field researchers when considering topics such as tolerance of conspecifics or the role of gender in encounters.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the Influence of Conspecifics on a Male Giant Anteater's (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) Pacing Behavior

Eyer¹,

Miller²

2020

AB&C

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Stereotypic behavior has been studied in various species, but little information exists on stereotypies in giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) under professional care. Giant anteaters are known for their solitary nature and well-developed sense of smell. This study examined the effect of conspecifics who were housed off-exhibit on a male giant anteater’s rate of pacing and pacing intensity when he was on-exhibit. Instantaneous sampling was used to determine the percentage of time pacing, the number of pacing bouts and pacing bout duration. Randomization tests determined that the reduction in the male giant anteater’s rate of pacing significantly decreased after conspecifics were relocated to a different building. Pacing bout duration, a potential measure of intensity, also significantly decreased during the treatment phase. In addition, the giant anteater changed his pacing location after the removal of conspecifics. He transitioned from pacing near the conspecifics’ off-exhibit location during the baseline to the opposite quadrant of the exhibit after their departure. These results suggest that keeping a male giant anteater in proximity to conspecifics without the ability to interact with them had an impact on his behavior. Better understanding the motivations for stereotypic behaviors of giant anteaters will better inform housing decisions made by zoo professionals.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the Influence of Conspecifics on a Male Giant Anteater's (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) Pacing Behavior

Eyer¹,

Miller²

2020

AB&C

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“…Quantifying fine-scale interactions between individuals revealed a complementary, but more nuanced picture of giant anteater social behaviour than was previously known (Shaw et al ., 1987; Bertassoni & Milléo Costa, 2010; Júnior & Bertassoni, 2014; Catapani et al ., 2020). While associations between dyads were generally weak, with limited evidence of attraction, avoidance, nor correlated movement, there were two seasonal peaks in female-male encounters.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Existing studies on free-ranging individuals have shown that home ranges can overlap within and between sexes (Bertassoni & Ribeiro, 2019; Bertassoni, Mourão & Bianchi, 2020), a few instances of mating and courtship behaviour have also been previously recorded (Shaw, Machado-Neto & Carter, 1987; Júnior & Bertassoni, 2014), however, these relationships are still poorly understood. In addition, encounters involving intraspecific interactions such as meeting, following, and foraging together are known to occur (Bertassoni & Milléo Costa, 2010; Catapani et al ., 2020). As such, we expected to observe a high amount of overlap between individuals with the potential for some amount of correlated movement.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The socio-spatial ecology of giant anteaters in the Brazilian Cerrado

Chhen,

Bertassoni,

Desbiez

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Movement is a key component of an animal’s life history. While there are numerous factors that influence movement, there is an inherent link between a species’ social ecology and its movement ecology. Despite this inherent relationship, the socio-spatial ecology of many species remains unknown, hampering ecological theory and conservation alike. Here, we use fine-scale GPS location data and continuous-time stochastic processes to study the socio-spatial ecology of 23 giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) in the Brazilian Cerrado. We found that individuals occupied stable home ranges with a mean area of 5.45 km2with males having significantly larger home ranges than females. The average amount of home-range overlap was low (0.20, n = 121 dyads), with no evidence that giant anteater home ranges were structured based on territorial, mate guarding, nor other social behaviour. We also identified a total of 2774 encounter events. Interestingly, both female-male and male-male dyads had significantly more encounters than female-female dyads, with two pronounced seasonal peaks in female-male encounters. Though encounters occurred frequently, associations between dyads were generally weak and there was little evidence of any correlated movement (mean amount of total correlation = 0.01). Collectively, these findings suggest giant anteaters are a solitary and largely asocial species that readily share space with conspecifics. Despite their present capacity to share space, the combined pressures of being condensed into smaller areas and decreased food availability due to increased pesticide use may see behavioural changes radiating throughout the population. Our study provides insight into heretofore unknown aspects of the socio-spatial ecology of this iconic, but understudied species, as well as crucial information for proactive area-based management. Ultimately, these findings contribute towards sustainable development while potentially maintaining the ecological integrity of giant anteaters and their habitats.

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“…Animals have peculiar morphological characteristics: an elongated skull with small ears and eyes, a long snout with a tiny tubular mouth with no teeth (Shaw;Carter, 1980), dense coat covering the body and a long fringed tail, with front legs ending in three large claws (Emmons;Feer, 1997). There is no sexual dimorphism in the species, which mainly presents solitary habits, except for periods of parental and reproductive care (Nowak;Paradiso, 1983) and on rare encounters between females (Catapani et al, 2019).…”

Section: The Giant Anteater: An Empirical Case Of Superstition Towards Wildlifementioning

confidence: 99%

Pessoas e grandes xenartros: uma abordagem das Dimensões Humanas para orientar a coexistência

Catapani¹

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por acreditar na importância desta pesquisa, me guiando passo a passo no universo da investigação científica. Sua paciência, disponibilidade e incentivo foram essenciais para que este trabalho se concretizasse.Ao Arnaud Desbiez, por confiar em minhas ideias e apoiar minhas iniciativas.A cada um dos 624 entrevistados que generosamente compartilharam um pouco de suas crenças, experiências, sentimentos e memórias. E que por tantas vezes me oferecerem abrigo, refeições, chipas e tererés.À CAPES pelo financiamento desta pesquisa e pela bolsa de Doutorado Sanduíche.À Fundação Segre, pelo suporte financeiro para as atividades de campo.Ao Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Ambiental da USP e aos funcionários da Secretaria, sempre prontos a resolver intercorrências. À Freya St. John e à Julia P. G. Jones, por me acolherem com carinho em seu grupo de pesquisa durante o período Sanduíche no País de Gales e por contribuírem para o amadurecimento desta pesquisa.Aos colegas de laboratório da USP e da Universidade de Bangor, pelas discussões e trocas construtivas.A todos os membros do ICAS -Débora, Gabriel, Danilo, Déia, Mário e Nina, pelos conselhos valiosos, ouvidos curiosos e pela amizade, apoio e suporte logístico nos campos. Em especial, à Bruna Oliveira, por conduzir com maestria as entrevistas com os apicultores.Ao Silvio Marchini, por me apresentar o potencial da abordagem de Dimensões Humanas para a conservação da biodiversidade.À Comunidade de Prática em Coexistência humano-fauna, pelas sempre valiosas trocas. À Pousada Aguapé, em especial à Joana, Jaira, Sr. João e Fabiano, por oferecerem suas instalações e apoiarem as iniciativas para conservação da fauna pantaneira.

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Report of three non-agonistic encounters of free-living giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)

Cited by 3 publications

References 12 publications

Evaluating the Influence of Conspecifics on a Male Giant Anteater's (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) Pacing Behavior

Evaluating the Influence of Conspecifics on a Male Giant Anteater's (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) Pacing Behavior

The socio-spatial ecology of giant anteaters in the Brazilian Cerrado

Pessoas e grandes xenartros: uma abordagem das Dimensões Humanas para orientar a coexistência

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