The large hairy armadillo (Chaetophractus villosus) was introduced to the Isla Grande of Tierra del Fuego almost 35 years ago. Previous studies described the armadillo’s distribution relative to heated oil pipelines. The present study updates this distribution, and evaluates associations with additional environmental variables to better explain the dispersion process and to propose areas for the control/eradication of this invasive species. We conducted 52 random transects looking for indirect evidence of the presence of C. villosus such as burrows and “foraging pits”. We looked for associations between the presence/habitat use of armadillos with local environmental characteristics and landscape features. We also gathered information about the invasion process through interviews with rural settlers. The species’ distribution was calculated with the Minimum Convex Polygon method, and a linear invasion rate was calculated. Finally, a map with priority areas for eradication was developed. Armadillos occur in areas with tall and medium-height vegetation and avoid low and floodable terrains. Signs of armadillo presence were more abundant in areas with humic soils but were not associated with any landscape features. The distribution of C. villosus increased by 4735.92 km2 in 12 years with an average linear expansion rate of 10.91 km/year. Humans seem to have facilitated the spread of armadillos towards the south. Implementation of any control measures should be focused on two areas of the island: namely those with high terrains, medium/high vegetation height and humic soils. This invasion represents a socio-ecological problem that needs full and urgent attention while eradication is still feasible.

中文翻译：

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大型多毛犰狳（Chaetophractus villosus）成功入侵亚南极岛屿生态系统（阿根廷火地岛格兰德岛）

大约 35 年前，大毛犰狳（Chaetophractus villosus）被引入火地岛大岛。以前的研究描述了犰狳相对于加热石油管道的分布。本研究更新了这一分布，并评估了与其他环境变量的关联，以更好地解释扩散过程并提出控制/根除这种入侵物种的区域。我们进行了 52 次随机横断面，寻找绒毛梭菌存在的间接证据，例如洞穴和“觅食坑”。我们寻找犰狳的存在/栖息地使用与当地环境特征和景观特征之间的关联。我们还通过采访农村定居者收集了有关入侵过程的信息。采用最小凸多边形法计算物种分布，计算线性入侵率。最后，绘制了一份带有根除优先领域的地图。犰狳出现在高高和中等高度植被的地区，避免低洼和易淹的地形。在具有腐殖质土壤的地区，犰狳存在的迹象更为丰富，但与任何景观特征无关。12 年间，C. villosus 的分布面积增加了 4735.92 平方公里，平均线膨胀率为 10.91 公里/年。人类似乎促进了犰狳向南方的传播。任何控制措施的实施都应集中在岛上的两个区域：即地势高、植被高度中/高和腐殖质土壤的区域。