Red silky anteater
(Cyclopes rufus)
other common names
Red pygmy anteater
Taxonomy
Order: Pilosa
Family: Cyclopedidae
description
Until recently, it was thought that there was only a single species of silky anteaters. However, a 10-year long investigation by Miranda et al. (2018) provided evidence that there are actually seven species of Cyclopes.
No specific data are available on the size of Cyclopes rufus, but assuming that it is similar in size to other silky anteaters, it would have a head-body length of around 20 cm, a tail of similar length, and it would weigh around 300 grams. Its fur color is unique; the dorsum has a distinct reddish tone, and the tail and limbs are more yellowish red. There are no ventral or dorsal stripes.
range
This species is endemic to eastern Brazil, where it occurs in the western Amazon basin, between the Rio Madeira and Rio Aripuanã. Its northern limit may be the Amazon river, but its southern limit of distribution is unknown.
HaBITAT and ECOLOGy
The red silky anteater occurs in the Amazon forest. It has arboreal habits.
diet
Its diet consists almost entirely of ants.
reproduction
No information is available on the reproduction of the red silky anteater.
threats
The threats to this species are unknown. It is probably affected by habitat loss, as its area of distribution suffers from environmental degradation and the effects of large hydroelectric dams. It is undoubtedly the area of greatest human occupation and deforestation in the Amazon.
Population trend
conservation status
The species description of Cyclopes rufus is based on seven records, all of them in the state of Rondônia, Brazil, an area with high deforestation rates. Unconfirmed photographic records suggest that the species may also be present in the north of Bolivia, and it is possible that it also occurs in southeastern Peru. Deforestation due to the expansion of cattle ranching and large-scale agriculture is the main threat to the species. In addition, mining and hydroelectric dams also represent impacts. Nevertheless, the currently available information suggests that habitat loss is unlikely to equate to a reduction in population size that would warrant its listing in a threatened category. Therefore, Cyclopes rufus is listed as Least Concern, with a strong recommendation for urgent research and monitoring of the situation.