The potential distribution of Cyclopes didactylus, a silky anteater, reveals a likely unknown population and urgent need for forest conservation in Northeast Brazil

Abstract

Cyclopes didactylus, the smallest of all anteaters, inhabits Amazonian and Atlantic forests with an apparently disjunct distribution. Yet, phylogeography reveals historical connections through the forests of the Northeast Region of Brazil. Its populations in this region are classified by the Red List of Threatened Species as Data Deficient and with a trend towards decline. However, Northeast Brazil has a large sampling gap, and the potential distribution of this species has yet to be evaluated. We investigated the potential distribution of C. didactylus to evaluate the hypothesis of a disjunct distribution between Amazonian and Atlantic forests and estimate the amount of protected area in its predicted distribution. We generated a Maxent distribution model using occurrence records, according to the new taxonomic revision of Cyclopes, and selected current bioclimatic variables to evaluate the continuity of the predicted distribution of the species in Northeast Brazil. We also performed past projections to assess historical connections and overlapped maps of protected areas onto their current distribution. Although its distribution is probably disjunct, at least one as-yet-unknown population may be present in the forests of Northeast Brazil, an area poorly protected. The results are useful for targeting field efforts in this under-sampled region.