Documented records of Tapirus terrestris (Perissodactyla, Tapiridae) and Myrmecophaga tridactyla (Pilosa, Myrmecophagidae) in the north of the Cuña Boscosa santafesina (Santa Fe, Argentina)

Abstract

Evidence of occurrence of Lowland Tapir (Tapirus terrestris) and Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) in the province of Santa Fe, Argentina, is scarce, mainly in the case of the tapir whose current occurrence is still debated. Between the 22nd and 24th of February 2020, both species, categorized as “Vulnerable” both nationally and internationally, were recorded and documented 28 km north of the town of Villa Guillermina (Santa Fe), confirming their current presence in the province. Records were made in the north of the Cuña Boscosa santafesina, a region of approximately 10,000 km2 composed of various types of forests, palm groves, savannas and marshes characteristic of the Humid Chaco ecoregion. These environments continue towards the Province of Chaco, constituting a remnant or biological corridor that increase the available habitat for these threatened species. Some factors that constitute potential threats to these species, such as livestock activity, hunting pressure, presence of domestic dogs, grassland burning and deforestation, were observed in the area. The importance of conserving the environments of the Humid Chaco ecoregion located
in the north of the province of Santa Fe that are underrepresented in the Provincial System of Natural Protected Areas is highlighted because these contain species with conservation priority such as tapir and Giant Anteater in addition to presenting the greater biodiversity within the provincial territory.