Diet and locomotion of the armadillo Peltephilus: a new view

The Santacrucian armadillos Peltephilus (Mammalia, Dasypodidae, Peltephilinae) are reanalysed in order to test the traditional hypothesis that they were the most cursorial and active hunters of the dasypodids. The masticatory musculature is reconstructed, the form and distribution of teeth are studied, and a model of the jaw movements is proposed. Furthermore, the limb anatomy as well as their index of fossorial ability are compared with those of other armadillos. It is concluded that Peltephilus , and very likely other peltephilines, are poorly designed as carnivorous, actively cursorial mammals. An alternative habit is proposed, in which Peltephilus and the other peltephilines are viewed as having the conservative armadillo structure of diggers, feeding on soft but tough items, probably plant material of underground origin.