The local extinction of one of the greatest terrestrial ecosystem engineers, the giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus), in one of its last refuges in the Atlantic Forest, will be felt by a large vertebrate community

The giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus), one of the largest terrestrial ecosystem engineers, faces imminent local extinction in Sooretama, a critical refuge within the Atlantic Forest. Recent fieldwork (2018–2019) recorded only three adult individuals and evidence of poaching, down from 70 records over 14 years. The study highlights P. maximus's vital role as an ecosystem engineer, with at least 37 vertebrate species relying on its excavations for foraging and shelter. These findings underscore the ecological consequences of its potential loss, threatening biodiversity in one of its last strongholds.

Fontes, B. L., Desbiez, A. L. J., Massocato, G. F., Srbek-Araujo, A. C., Sanaiotti, T. M., Bergallo, H. G., Ferreguetti, Á. C., Noia, C. H. R., Schettino, V. R., Valls, R., Moreira, D. d. O., Gatti, A., Mendonça, E. d. S., & Banhos, A. (2020). The local extinction of one of the greatest terrestrial ecosystem engineers, the giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus), in one of its last refuges in the Atlantic Forest, will be felt by a large vertebrate community. Global Ecology and Conservation, 24, e01357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01357