Abstract
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.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to thank to M. L. Carranza and E. Curto from Dirección General de Áreas Protegidas y Biodiversidad of Tierra del Fuego; J. L Hormaechea, G. Connon and L. Barbero from Estación Astronómica Río Grande; M. L. Marcías; E. Villanova and J. Barría from Estancia Sara; E. O ́Birne from Estancia Cullen; I. Menéndez Behety, P. and P. Chevallier Boutel from Estancia María Behety; I. Roberts and M. Poliner from Estancia Flamencos; N.A. Cossa and M. Malerba for support during fieldwork; J. S. Verón and B. J. S. for supporting us. We also thank to Idea Wild for donation of equipment. Special thanks to A. G. Santamaría and W.J. Loughry for English review. This work was supported by Neotropical Grassland Conservancy-NGC and Programa Patagonia/Aves Argentinas (AOP) and PPID/N017 U.N.L.P.
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This study was funded by Neotropical Grassland Conservancy-NGC (1000 grant).
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The data obtained by interviews in this study is anonymized. The procedures were approved by the “Secretaria de Ambiente, Desarrollo Sotenible y Cambio Climático” of the Province of Tierra del Fuego, under the resolution 0064/2017.
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Gallo, J.A., Fasola, L. & Abba, A.M. Invasion success of the large hairy armadillo (Chaetophractus villosus) in a sub-antarctic insular ecosystem (Isla Grande, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina). Polar Biol 43, 597–606 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-020-02664-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-020-02664-9