Texas’ state mammal is getting a new name

A group of armadillos that were originally thought to be one species may actually be four separate species, research has found.

The nine-banded armadillo, the official state small mammal of Texas, may actually be made up of four distinct species, one of which is new to science, according to a new journal article. Systematic Biology.

This is the first new species of armadillo discovered in 30 years and means that a species of armadillo found in the US has a new name.

Armadillos are small mammals with distinctive armored carapaces made of bony plates and covered with leathery skin that provides protection from predators. Nine-banded armadillo –Dasypus novemcinctus— thought to be between the central US and Argentina, having expanded its range from South America into Central America and the US, as far north as Illinois and Nebraska.

Using DNA and museum specimens, scientists have revealed that what was thought to be a single species composed of different subspecies is actually four very similar but genetically distinct armadillo species.

“It has been widely accepted that the nine-banded armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus, extends from northern Argentina to southern Illinois, but in recent years some scientists have presented evidence that it is actually a complex of many different species,” said study co-author Frédéric Delsuc, director of research at the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) in France in the statement.

“By studying armadillo DNA from across this range, we’ve put together a very detailed genomic analysis that makes us very confident that there are actually four species.”

The armadillo, found in the US, including Texas, is now promoted to subspecies Dasypus novemcinctus mexicanus per species by itself, Dasypus mexicanusor Mexican long-nosed armadillo.

This new species – found in an area of ​​northeastern South America known as the Guyana Shield – was previously not a type subspecies and is now the newest species of armadillo, named the Guiana armadillo, respectively. Dasypus guianensis.

“With the new classification, the armadillo found in the United States should now be called the Mexican long-nosed armadillo,” said co-author Anderson Feijó, assistant curator of mammals at the Field Museum at the Negaunee Integrative Research Center in Chicago. declaration. “The new species, the Guiana armadillo, is the first armadillo described in 30 years.”

All four species are incredibly similar to each other, which is why scientists have not yet figured out that they are genetically separate.

“They are almost indistinguishable in the field,” Delsuc said.

The discovery was made thanks to DNA analysis and an in-depth examination of the armadillo’s physical characteristics across its range.

“Museums were key to studying,” said Feijó. “Most of the samples were collected before all these molecular DNA techniques were available. So, in addition to museum collections being valuable for research being done at the time the sample is collected, they may be used in the future for things we can’t even predict. “

Knowing that there are four separate species can help researchers in conservation efforts.

“Now that we know there are four distinct species, we can also expect that they have their own ecological requirements that may not be the same,” Feijó said. “Sometimes biologists transport individuals from one area to another to repopulate. Since they are different species with potentially different needs, they won’t be able to integrate.”

“This discovery completely changes the way we think about protecting these species and the way we think about how they are threatened.”

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