Nesophontes

Nesophontes edithae

The Caribbean shrews ( Nesophontidae ) are an extinct during the second millennium mammalian family of the order Insectivora ( Eulipotyphla ). Bones of these animals, especially in the Gewöllen of owls have been found in Cuba, the Cayman Islands, Hispaniola and Puerto Rico. We distinguish nine species, all of which are classified in the genus Nesophontes.

Description

Caribbean shrews probably reached a length of five to 15 centimeters. They had a long, flexible snout, a long and lean head, the tail was as long as the body.

Extinction

Presumably, the animals died after the arrival of Europeans in the Caribbean in the middle of the 2nd millennium. Bones were together with rats and mice skeletons found, these animals were introduced by Europeans. It is believed, therefore, that the food competition contributed significantly by the invasive species to the extinction of Caribbean - shrews, a further role might have played the deforestation and the conversion of their habitat to plantations. Fresh remains may indicate that some species may have survived until the 19th or early 20th century.

System

The closest relatives of the Caribbean shrews are the Solenodon who resemble them, but are much larger, and still live in Cuba and Hispaniola.

From Cuba are the types

• Nesophontes longirostris,
• Nesophontes major,
• Nesophontes Micrus,
• Nesophontes submicrus and
• Nesophontes known superstes.

Lived on Hispaniola

• Nesophontes hypomicrus,
• Nesophontes paramicrus and
• Nesophontes zamicrus.

In Puerto Rico came before Nesophontes edithae, the largest species of the family.