De Winton's golden mole

De Winton Goldmull ( Cryptochloris wintoni ) is a poorly understood species from the family of golden moles ( Chrysochloridae ). It is known only from three specimens and may already be extinct. The species name refers to the British zoologist William Edward de Winton ( 1856-1922 ).

Features

Dimensions are known only from two specimens. The head-body length was 86 and 92 mm. A tail and outer ear cups are not available. The Hinterfußlängen weight for each species of 10.3 mm. The skull lengths are specified with 21.3 or 22.0 mm and the skull widths of 15.5 or 16.2 mm.

De Winton Goldmull is a small species that is similar in size and coat color the Wüstengoldmull ( Eremitalpa granti ). The back fur is light slate gray with a yellowish tint that is more intense on the forehead, cheeks and lips. The hairs are whitish with a gray base. The hair tips are clearly fawn. The belly is slightly lighter than the coat on his back, with the hair tips are whitish. The body is short and diamond-shaped.

Distribution, habitat and way of life

De Winton Goldmull is known only from the type locality at Port Nolloth on the coast of Namaqualand in the Northern Cape province of South Africa. The habitat includes coastal dunes and adjacent sandy areas in the Succulent Karoo Strandveld. About his life nothing is known.

System

De Winton Goldmull originally stood in the genus Kapgoldmulle ( Chrysochloris ) and was considered a sister species of the Cape Goldmulls ( Chrysochloris asiatica ). 1968 looked at Mario Alberto Simonetta in 1938 first described Van Zyl Goldmull ( Chryptochloris Zyli ) as a subspecies of Chryptochloris wintoni. 1974 Jurgens put Meester is, however, that De Winton and Van Zyl Goldmull differ not only in the fur color, but also in the shape of the hammer. Thus, both forms are not regarded as conspecific.

Status

The IUCN lists De Winton Goldmull in category " Endangered" ( critically endangered ) by the words " probably extinct " ( possible extinct ). According to the IUCN, there has been no sighting for more than 50 years. According to the Smithsonian Institution, however, a specimen is to be collected in 1969. The main hazard is considered the habitat change as a result of diamond mining in the coastal sand in Port Nolloth district.