Basic knowledge of species biology and ecology is essential for the assessment of species conservation status and planning for efficient conservation strategies; however, this information is not always readily available. Here we use movement behavior to understand the ecology and social biology of the poorly known southern three-banded armadillo (Tolypeutes matacus). We used VHF and GPS telemetry to monitor 26 individuals from two sites in the Pantanal wetlands of Brazil. We characterized armadillo activity patterns, evaluated the relationship between sex and body mass with home range size and mean daily distance traveled, and examined home and core range overlap. Three-banded armadillos were active on average for 5.5 ± 2.8 h/day, with most of their activity concentrated in the first half of the night. Adult males were heavier and had larger home ranges than adult females. Home range size scaled positively with body mass for males, but not for females. Core ranges for females overlapped little (< 1%) regardless of age, but home ranges for males overlapped both with other males (12%) and females (18%). Our data suggest that three-banded armadillos are mainly a nocturnal species. Home range and spacing patterns point to a generally asocial behavior and a polygynous or promiscuous mating system. We hope that the data generated as a result of this project will contribute to this species’ conservation in Brazil and elsewhere by guiding future management and research efforts.

中文翻译：

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南部三带犰狳（Tolypeutes matacus； Cingulata：衣原体）的生态和社会生物学

物种生物学和生态学的基本知识对于评估物种保护状况和规划有效的保护战略至关重要；但是，此信息并非始终可用。在这里，我们使用运动行为来了解鲜为人知的南部三带犰狳（Tolypeutes matacus）的生态和社会生物学）。我们使用VHF和GPS遥测技术来监测来自巴西潘塔纳尔湿地的两个地点的26个人。我们表征了犰狳的活动模式，评估了性别与体重之间的关系，以及家庭范围大小和平均每日旅行距离，并检查了家庭范围与核心范围的重叠。三带状犰狳平均每天活跃5.5±2.8小时，大部分活动集中在深夜。成年雄性比成年雌性更重，并且有更大的家庭活动范围。男性的家庭范围大小与体重成正比，而女性则没有。不论年龄大小，女性的核心范围几乎没有重叠（<1％），但是男性的家庭范围与其他男性（12％）和女性（18％）都有重叠。我们的数据表明三带犰狳主要是夜行物种。本垒范围和间隔模式指出了一般的社交行为以及一夫多妻制或混杂交配系统。我们希望，该项目产生的数据将通过指导未来的管理和研究工作，为巴西和其他地区的该物种的保护做出贡献。