True's shrew mole
Dymecodon pilirostris ( Syn: Urotrichus pilirostris ) is a mammal in the family Moles ( Talpidae ) and the only way to so monotypic genus Dymecodon. The distribution area is located in Japan.
Taxonomy and systematics
Yates (1984) and Yates and Moore ( 1990) assigned to the former genus Urotrichus related species of the genus Dymecodon. From Corbet and Hill ( 1991) and Hutterer (1993 ) is not recognized the new genus, Dymecodon pilirostris is therefore often associated Urotrichus. However, morphological ( Imaizumi, 1970b ) and Genetic Data ( Shinohara et al. 2003) support the assignment in a separate genus. The closest relative of Dymecodon pilirostris is also living in Japan Art Urotrichus talpoides. Together they form the tribe Japanese Spitzmulle ( Urotrichini ). Dymecodon pilirostris more lives underground and keeps mainly in coniferous forests at over 1,000 meters high mountains on, whereas Urotrichus talpoides is more commonly found outside of its tunnel and also occurs in the lowlands as well as in more open terrain.
Features
The appearance of Dymecodon pilirostris is somewhat similar to the shrews. The muzzle is very long, narrow and hairy. The species reaches a head-body length of 6.5 to 10 cm and a tail length of 2.5 to 4 cm. Urotrichus talpoides is 25 to 40 g in weight and for Dymecodon pilirostris about the same weight is assumed. Size, relative tail length and coat color vary geographically. The animals of the northern regions of Honshu are slightly lighter, smaller, and their relative tail length is less. In the southernmost distribution area the animals are darker, larger, and the relative tail length is greater. Animals from the Nagano Prefecture in between, the variation of the relative tail length success for the Rules of Allen. The top of Urotrichus talpoides is black. The northern populations are toward the bottom a little brighter. The southern animals are usually more brownish, its back is dark brown. The winter coat is darker than the summer coat. In fur hid the small earcups. The front paws are not as strong as with other moles, the claws on the toes are slightly flattened and almost straight. The slightly hairy, relatively long tail ( relative length of 43 % to 60 %) has, with the exception of the constricted base over the entire length approximately the same diameter and can store fat. The first incisor is very large with a broad with about one and a half times the size of the second incisor tip. The dental formula is 2-1-4-3/1-1-4-3 = 38
Distribution and habitat
Dymecodon pilirostris is endemic to Japan and spread on Honshu, including the Kii Peninsula, Shikoku and Kyūshū on. One finds this Japanese Spitzmulle in mountain forests, bush and grassland higher layers, usually above 1000 meters.
Way of life
Dymecodon pilirostris digs underground tunnels and feeds on earthworms, insects and spiders. Reproduction takes place mainly in the spring and may include a second litter in autumn under favorable conditions. Females are about four weeks pregnant.
Endangering
The IUCN consider the abundance of the species to be stable and lists Dymecodon pilirostris as not threatened (Least Concern ). The species is common and not exposed to greater threat.