Pale-throated sloth

Pale-throated sloth[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Pilosa
Family: Bradypodidae
Genus: Bradypus
Species:
B. tridactylus
Binomial name
Bradypus tridactylus
Pale-throated sloth range

The pale-throated sloth (Bradypus tridactylus), occasionally known as the ai (/ˈɑːi/),[4] is a species of three-toed sloth that inhabits tropical rainforests in northern South America.

It is similar in appearance to, and often confused with, the brown-throated sloth, which has a much wider distribution. Genetic evidence has been interpreted to suggest the two species diverged only around 400,000 years ago, although the most recent evidence indicates the split was closer to 6 million years.[5][6]

  1. ^ Gardner, A. (2005). Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 100. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  2. ^ Chiarello, A.; Moraes-Barros, N. (2014). "Bradypus tridactylus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T3037A47436865. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T3037A47436865.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  3. ^ Linnæus, Carl (1758). Systema naturæ per regna tria naturæ, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I (in Latin) (10th ed.). Holmiæ: Laurentius Salvius. p. 34. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
  4. ^ "ai". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
  5. ^ Barros, M.C.; et al. (2003). "Phylogenetic analysis of 16S mitochondrial DNA data in sloths and anteaters". Genetics and Molecular Biology. 26 (1): 5–11. doi:10.1590/S1415-47572003000100002.
  6. ^ Moraes-Barros, M.C.; et al. (2011). "Morphology, molecular phylogeny, and taxonomic inconsistencies in the study of Bradypus sloths (Pilosa: Bradypodidae)". Journal of Mammalogy. 92 (1): 86–100. doi:10.1644/10-MAMM-A-086.1.