Aardvarks (Orycteropus afer) are a crucial part of the ecosystem in sub-Saharan Africa. They eat termites that can destroy human-built structures and are ecosystem engineers like beavers. They build large tunnels underground and these burrows can provide shelter that protects other animals. Their poop can also offer clues to how this elusive species is impacted by climate change.
[Related: Humans are now the African savannah’s top predator.]
In a study published December 13 in the journal Diversity and Distribution months of poop samples revealed that the aridification–or drying and heating–of the aadvarks’ landscape is isolating the animals from one another. The study’s authors believe this could have implications for the species’ long-term survival.
“Everyone had heard of aardvarks and they are considered very ecologically important but there has been little study of them,” study co-author and Oregon State University wildlife biologist Clint Epps said in a statement. “We wanted to see if we could collect enough data to begin to understand them.”
Aardvarks are burrowing nocturnal mammals that can weigh up to 180 pounds. They have long snouts that they used to dig out ant and termite hills. They are primarily found throughout the southern two-thirds of Africa. Aardvarks are often compared to pigs and the South American anteater, but they are not related to them. Their closest living relatives are golden moles, manatees, and elephants.
They are categorized as a species of least concern by the IUCN Red List, partially due to the broad range of ecosystems that they can live in. However, little is known about their current population trends or their real distribution across the landscape since they are difficult to study.
“During times of rapid environmental change, evaluating and describing changes in the landscape where a species lives is important for informed conservation and management decisions,”…
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