Pilosa

Pilosa is a major clade within the superorder Xenarthra that includes the anteaters and the sloths. In contemporary classifications, Xenarthra is divided into two main lineages: Cingulata, which comprises armadillos, and Pilosa, which comprises the anteaters and the sloths. The living members of Pilosa fall into two primary groups: anteaters and sloths. Anteaters are represented by two families: Cyclopedidae (the silky anteater) and Myrmecophagidae (the giant anteater and tamanduas). Sloths are organized into Bradypodidae (three-toed sloths) and Megalonychidae (two-toed sloths).

The name Pilosa is derived from Latin pilosus, meaning hairy, a reference to the dense fur found in many members of the group. Pilosa members are characterized by specialized adaptations for low-energy lifestyles, including long limbs and pronounced claws used for hanging and foraging.

Fossil and distribution evidence indicate that Pilosa originated in South America during the Paleogene and diversified through the Miocene. After the formation of the Isthmus of Panama, some lineages dispersed into North America. Today, Pilosa species inhabit tropical forests and woodlands of Central and South America, with some anteaters extending into suitable habitats in parts of Central America.

Ecology and morphology vary between anteaters and sloths. Anteaters are insectivorous, feeding primarily on ants and termites using elongated snouts and powerful tongues. Sloths are mostly folivores with very slow metabolism and movement, adapted to a life in the trees. Both groups retain xenarthran traits, such as distinctive articulations in the spine and reduced dentition, contributing to their unique evolutionary path.

Conservation concerns affect many Pilosa species, driven by habitat loss and fragmentation. Several species are listed as vulnerable or endangered, reflecting ongoing environmental pressures in the Americas.