Taiwanese mole shrew

Anourosorex yamashinai is a shrew of the genus stubby tail shrews ( Anourosorex ). It is endemic to the island of Taiwan.

Features

With a head -body length from 5 to 9.8 centimeters, the type is one of the small to medium-sized shrew species. The tail reaches a length of 7 to 13 millimeters and the rear feet 11 to 16 millimeters. As with all species of the genus, the tail is very short and thin. The species is similar Anourosorex squamipes, however, is much smaller and has a shorter tail. Back and abdomen are uniformly dark gray to brown, the ventral side is slightly brighter. The front feet have significantly enlarged claws.

The skull has a maximum length of 23 to 26 millimeters. Like all species of the genus has the kind in the maxilla per half an incisor ( incisor ), two canine teeth ( canines ), a Vorbackenzahn ( premolar ) and three molars ( Molar ). In the lower jaw is in each half only a canine. Overall, the animals have thus 26 teeth. The third molars are reduced in both the upper and lower jaw.

Dissemination

Anourosorex yamashinai comes only on the island of Taiwan prior to the Chinese coast. She is so endemic to this island.

Way of life

The preferred habitat of Anourosorex yamashinai located at altitudes of 300 to 3,000 meters. The habitat consists of mountain forests, subtropical mixed forests and partly at higher altitudes also mountain meadows. In addition, the species was discovered in farmland and bamboo plantations.

The type as other species of the genus adapted to a subterranean life, however their food, they will also be partly in the bottom circulation. The food is like other shrews from insects, worms and other invertebrates. About the propagation data are very rare.

System

Anourosorex yamashinai is classified as a separate species within the genus of the stubby tail shrews ( Anourosorex ), which consists of four types. The first scientific description comes from Kuroda from the year 1935. Originally only the type Anourosorex squamipes was recognized today are in addition to Anourosorex yamashinai also Anourosorex assamensis and Anourosorex schmidi as a valid species.

We distinguish between no subspecies.

Threat and protection

The species is classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN ) due to the relatively large area of ​​distribution in Taiwan and the adaptation to different habitats and the population size is assumed to be not at risk ( " least concern "). Threats to the species are not known and a significant decline in the populations will not be accepted.