was first described by Heinrich Rudolf Schinz in 1825 from a South American specimen. The type locality was later specified as "probably Bahia (Brazil)" by Robert Mertens in 1925. The seven recognized subspecies of the brown-throated sloth, although these are not all readily distinguishable, are: B. v. boliviensis Gray, 1871 B. v. brasiliensis Blainville, 1840 B. v. ephippiger Philippi, 1870 B. v. gorgon Thomas, 1926 B. v. infuscatus Wagler, 1831 B. v. trivittatus Cornalia, 1849 B. v. variegatus Schinz, 1825 The closest living relative of the species is the pale-throated sloth, which has a very similar appearance, except for the color of the fur around the throat. The two species are estimated to have diverged just 400,000 years ago, whereas their ancestors diverged from the maned sloth over 7 million years ago. References Further reading Sloths Mammals of Brazil Mammals of Bolivia Mammals of Colombia Mammals of Central America Mammals of Ecuador Mammals of Peru Mammals of Venezuela Fauna of the Amazon Fauna of the Caatinga Mammals described in 1825