More than points: insights on the potential distribution areas and niche of the giant anteater

Abstract

The giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) has experienced a significant habitat decline due to anthropogenic land-use changes. Mapping habitat suitability is therefore essential for conservation planning. Our goal is to expand upon the resources provided by the Brazilian government agencies by developing a complementary tool to enhance their existing materials. Specifically, we aim to create a habitat suitability map for the species across Brazil using a Climate niche-based model (CNBM); evaluate whether biases in occurrence data influence these models and in what ways; and interpret our findings in relation to the species‘ thermal requirements. We hypothesized that the most climatically suitable areas would coincide with the species’ thermoneutrality zone. Our results confirmed this, revealing notable mismatches between predicted suitability and known occurrences, most prominently in the Northwest region of the Amazon Rainforest. Most records fell within the species’ thermoneutral zone, yet large suitable areas remain unoccupied, indicating potential but unused habitats. These findings underscore critical knowledge gaps. To address these limitations, we emphasize the urgent need for expanded fieldwork in areas where model predictions conflict with empirical observations. Improved data collection in these regions would enhance model reliability, refine conservation policies, and prioritize research efforts to ensure the species’ long-term survival.