March 31, 2023
Conservation challenges for Xenarthra
Dr. Mariella Superina
Foundacion Omacha/ICUN
Abstract
Anteaters, sloths, and armadillos are among the most fascinating, but least-known mammals. Human activities increasingly impact the wild populations of many Xenarthra species. Nevertheless, assessing their conservation status is difficult due to taxonomic uncertainties and the scarcity of basic data on their ecology, and the impact of potential threats. In this talk, I will present the conservation challenges facing natural populations of anteaters, sloths, and armadillos and showcase examples of ongoing conservation strategies in different South American countries.
Biosketch
Mariella is the Chair of the IUCN SSC Anteater, Sloth and Armadillo Specialist Group. After graduating from University of Zurich, Switzerland, she obtained a doctoral degree in Veterinary Medicine from University of Zurich and a Ph.D. in Conservation Biology at University of New Orleans. She is now a Research Scientist with CONICET in Mendoza Province, where she studies the conservation biology and conservation medicine of armadillos, as well as the ecoepidemiology of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. She is also an associate researcher of Fundación Omacha, Colombia, and the scientific advisor of the Conservation and Management Program for the Armadillos of the Llanos of Colombia.