Distribution of the greater naked-tailed armadillo Cabassous tatouay (Desmarest, 1804) in South America, with new records and species distribution modeling

Cabassous tatouay occurs in moist forests, savannas, and grasslands of south, central, and northeastern Brazil, eastern Paraguay, northeastern Argentina, and Uruguay. Despite its wide distribution range, C. tatouay is scarcely recorded in some regions. This study aimed to: present new records of C. tatouay; compile the localities where the species was recorded according to published scientific accounts; and model its distribution range along South America. We present five new records of C. tatouay from Goias and Minas Gerais states, Brazil. The review of published accounts resulted in 99 studies, which provided 279 occurrences of C. tatouay to Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The great majority of records are from Brazil, mainly from the Atlantic Forest (119), Cerrado (52), and Pampas (49) biomes. Most records from the Cerrado are placed close to or in transition zones with the Atlantic Forest. Five records are within the Caatinga, but restricted to humid montane forest enclaves. The species distribution models indicate that C. tatouay is probably absent to Amazonia and Pantanal. The higher suitability for the species occurs in eastern Paraguay, northeastern Argentina, and south central Brazil, specifically in the Pampas, Atlantic Forest, and the southern part of the Cerrado.