The

order Order, ORDER or Orders may refer to: * Categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood * Heterarchy, a system of organization wherein the elements have the potential to be ranked a number of ...

Afrosoricida (a Latin-Greek compound name which means "looking like African shrews") contains the

golden mole Golden moles are small insectivorous burrowing mammals endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa. They comprise the family Chrysochloridae and as such they are taxonomically distinct from the true moles, family Talpidae, and other mole-like families, all ...

s of

Southern Africa Southern Africa is the southernmost subregion of the African continent, south of the Congo and Tanzania. The physical location is the large part of Africa to the south of the extensive Congo River basin. Southern Africa is home to a number of ...

, the

otter shrew Potamogalidae is the family of "otter shrews", a group of semiaquatic riverine afrotherian mammals indigenous to sub-Saharan Africa. They are most closely related to the tenrecs of Madagascar, from which they are thought to have split about 47� ...

s of

equatorial Africa Equatorial Africa is an ambiguous term that sometimes is used to refer either to the equatorial region of Sub-Saharan Africa traversed by the Equator, more broadly to tropical Africa or in a biological and geo-environmental sense to the intra-tr ...

and the

tenrec A tenrec is any species of mammal within the afrotherian family Tenrecidae endemic to Madagascar. Tenrecs are wildly diverse; as a result of convergent evolution some resemble hedgehogs, shrews, opossums, rats, and mice. They occupy aquatic, a ...

s of

Madagascar Madagascar (; mg, Madagasikara, ), officially the Republic of Madagascar ( mg, Repoblikan'i Madagasikara, links=no, ; french: République de Madagascar), is an island country in the Indian Ocean, approximately off the coast of East Africa ...

. These three families of small

mammal Mammals () are a group of vertebrate animals constituting the class Mammalia (), characterized by the presence of mammary glands which in females produce milk for feeding (nursing) their young, a neocortex (a region of the brain), fur or ...

s have traditionally been considered to be a part of the order

Insectivora The order Insectivora (from Latin ''insectum'' "insect" and ''vorare'' "to eat") is a now-abandoned biological grouping within the class of mammals. Some species have now been moved out, leaving the remaining ones in the order Eulipotyphla, w ...

, and were later included in

Lipotyphla Lipotyphla is a formerly used order of mammals, including the members of the order Eulipotyphla (i.e. the solenodons, family Solenodontidae; hedgehogs and gymnures, family Erinaceidae; desmans, moles, and shrew-like moles, family Talpidae; and tr ...

after Insectivora was abandoned as a

wastebasket taxon Wastebasket taxon (also called a wastebin taxon, dustbin taxon or catch-all taxon) is a term used by some taxonomists to refer to a taxon that has the sole purpose of classifying organisms that do not fit anywhere else. They are typically defined ...

, before Lipotyphla was also found to be

polyphyletic A polyphyletic group is an assemblage of organisms or other evolving elements that is of mixed evolutionary origin. The term is often applied to groups that share similar features known as homoplasies, which are explained as a result of conve ...

Naming

Some biologists use Tenrecomorpha as the name for the tenrec-golden mole clade, but Gary Bronner and Paulina Jenkins argue that Afrosoricida is more appropriate, despite their misgivings about the similarity between the name "Afrosoricida" and the unrelated shrew subgenus ''Afrosorex''. However, ''Afrosorex'' Hutterer, 1986 is a synonym of ''

Crocidura The genus ''Crocidura'' is one of nine genera of the shrew subfamily Crocidurinae. Members of the genus are commonly called white-toothed shrews or musk shrews, although both also apply to all of the species in the subfamily. With over 180 speci ...

'' Wagler, 1832, eliminating any confusion. Hedges discussed at length the problems with using Tenrecomorpha and other proposed names for this clade of mammals other than Afrosoricida.

Biology

As a rule, tenrecs and otter shrews tend to be small animals varying from 4 cm to 39 cm in length. There is no pronounced body type since they have evolved to take over the insect-eating niche in Madagascar. However, based on the niche occupied, they look like shrews, hedgehogs or miniature otters. Their coat can vary from smooth to spiny and the coloration of the fur is generally dirt brown. Most species are also nocturnal and have poor eyesight. However, their whiskers are rather sensitive and they can detect very minute vibrations in the ground to locate their prey.

Phylogeny

Traditionally, these two families were grouped with the

hedgehog A hedgehog is a spiny mammal of the subfamily Erinaceinae, in the eulipotyphlan family Erinaceidae. There are seventeen species of hedgehog in five genera found throughout parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa, and in New Zealand by introduction ...

shrew Shrews (family Soricidae) are small mole-like mammals classified in the order Eulipotyphla. True shrews are not to be confused with treeshrews, otter shrews, elephant shrews, West Indies shrews, or marsupial shrews, which belong to differen ...

s and

mole Mole (or Molé) may refer to: Animals * Mole (animal) or "true mole", mammals in the family Talpidae, found in Eurasia and North America * Golden moles, southern African mammals in the family Chrysochloridae, similar to but unrelated to Talpida ...

s in the

. However, there have always been minority opinions suggesting that Tenrecomorpha, or at least the golden moles, are not true lipotyphlans. These opinions are now supported by many genetic studies indicating an association between Tenrecomorpha and various other African mammals in the superorder

Afrotheria Afrotheria ( from Latin ''Afro-'' "of Africa" + ''theria'' "wild beast") is a clade of mammals, the living members of which belong to groups that are either currently living in Africa or of African origin: golden moles, elephant shrews (also kn ...

. Afrosoricids are sometimes considered part of the Afroinsectiphilia, a clade within Afrotheria. * Infraclass

Eutheria Eutheria (; from Greek , 'good, right' and , 'beast'; ) is the clade consisting of all therian mammals that are more closely related to placentals than to marsupials. Eutherians are distinguished from noneutherians by various phenotypic tra ...

: placental mammals ** Superorder

*** Clade Afroinsectiphilia **** Clade

Afroinsectivora Afroinsectivora is a clade of mammals that includes the macroscelideans and afrosoricidans.. Retrieved September 2017. This clade includes the elephant shrews, golden moles and tenrecs. Phylogeny Classification * clade Afroinsectivora ** or ...

***** Order Afrosoricida ****** Suborder

Tenrecomorpha Tenrecomorpha is the suborder of otter shrews and tenrecs, a group of afrotherian mammals indigenous to equatorial Africa and Madagascar, respectively. The two families are thought to have split about 47–53 million years ago. Potamogalid otte ...

(otter shrews and tenrecs) ******* Family

Potamogalidae Potamogalidae is the family of "otter shrews", a group of semiaquatic riverine afrotherian mammals indigenous to sub-Saharan Africa. They are most closely related to the tenrecs of Madagascar, from which they are thought to have split about 47� ...

(

s) ******** Genus '' Micropotamogale'' *********

Nimba otter shrew The Nimba otter shrew (''Micropotamogale lamottei'') is a dwarf otter shrew and belongs to the mammal family Potamogalidae. Otter shrews are shrew-like afrotherian mammals found in sub-Saharan Africa. They are most closely related to the tenrecs ...

('' Micropotamogale lamottei'') *********

Ruwenzori otter shrew The Ruwenzori otter shrew (''Micropotamogale ruwenzorii'') is a species of semiaquatic dwarf otter shrew of the family Potamogalidae. It is found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. Otter shrews are shrew-like afrotheria ...

('' Micropotamogale ruwenzorii'') ******** Genus '' Potamogale'' *********

Giant otter shrew The giant otter shrew (''Potamogale velox'') is a semiaquatic, carnivorous afrotherian mammal. It is found in the main rainforest block of central Africa from Nigeria to Zambia, with a few isolated populations in Kenya and Uganda. It lives in str ...

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Potamogale velox The giant otter shrew (''Potamogale velox'') is a semiaquatic, carnivorous afrotherian mammal. It is found in the main rainforest block of central Africa from Nigeria to Zambia, with a few isolated populations in Kenya and Uganda. It lives in str ...

'') ******* Family Tenrecidae (

s) ******** Subfamily Geogalinae (1 species) ********* Genus ''

Geogale The large-eared tenrec (''Geogale aurita'') is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is the only species in the monotypic genus ''Geogale'', and the only member of the subfamily Geogalinae. It is endemic to Madagascar where its natura ...

'' ********** Large-eared tenrec ('' Geogale aurita'') ******** Subfamily

Oryzorictinae Oryzorictinae is a subfamily of tenrecs endemic to the island of Madagascar. It is the largest of three tenrec subfamilies. Oryzorictinae is thought to have split from the lineage of its closest relative, '' Geogale'', about 30 million years ( Ma ...

(24 species) ********* Genus ''

Microgale ''Microgale'' is a genus of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. There are 21 living species on the island of Madagascar and one extinct species known from a fossil. Some species have been discovered in the last twenty years. On the basis of molecul ...

'' ********** Short-tailed shrew tenrec ('' Microgale brevicaudata'') **********

Cowan's shrew tenrec Cowan's shrew tenrec (''Microgale cowani'') is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. Description Cowan's shrew tenrecs weigh an average just over , and have an average length of slightly over . Most specimens are mostly brown, often ...

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Microgale cowani Cowan's shrew tenrec (''Microgale cowani'') is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. Description Cowan's shrew tenrecs weigh an average just over , and have an average length of slightly over . Most specimens are mostly brown, often ...

'') **********

Drouhard's shrew tenrec Drouhard's shrew tenrec (''Microgale drouhardi''), also known as the striped shrew tenrec, is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical and tropical moist lowland and montan ...

('' Microgale drouhardi'') **********

Dryad shrew tenrec The dryad shrew tenrec (''Microgale dryas''), also known as the tree shrew tenrec, is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. References

...

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Microgale dryas The dryad shrew tenrec (''Microgale dryas''), also known as the tree shrew tenrec, is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar Madagascar (; mg, Madagasikara, ), officially the Republic of Madagascar ( m ...

'') **********

Pale shrew tenrec The pale shrew tenrec (''Microgale fotsifotsy''), also known as the pale-footed shrew tenrec is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical and tropical moist lowland and monta ...

('' Microgale fotsifotsy'') ********** Gracile shrew tenrec ('' Microgale gracilis'') ********** Naked-nosed shrew tenrec ('' Microgale gymnorhyncha'') **********

Jenkins's shrew tenrec Jenkins's shrew tenrec (''Microgale jenkinsae'') is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and shrubland. It is threatened by habitat loss. Descrip ...

('' Microgale jenkinsae'') **********

Northern shrew tenrec The northern shrew tenrec (''Microgale jobihely'') is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar, where it has a restricted disjoint range in two locations 485 km apart in the north and east of the island. In ...

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Microgale jobihely The northern shrew tenrec (''Microgale jobihely'') is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar, where it has a restricted disjoint range in two locations 485 km apart in the north and east of the island. In ...

'') ********** Lesser long-tailed shrew tenrec (''

Microgale longicaudata The lesser long-tailed shrew tenrec (''Microgale longicaudata'') is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is active at all hours of the day and night, but each individual maintains its own pattern of rest and activity. Range and Habi ...

'') **********

Major's long-tailed tenrec Major's long-tailed tenrec (''Microgale majori'') is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitat is the eastern humid forest of the island, as well as some western forests, where it has been see ...

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Microgale majori Major's long-tailed tenrec (''Microgale majori'') is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitat is the eastern humid forest of the island, as well as some western forests, where it has been see ...

'') **********

Web-footed tenrec The web-footed tenrec, Malagasy otter shrew, or aquatic tenrec (''Microgale mergulus'') is the only known semiaquatic tenrec (the related African otter shrews have similar habits), and is found in eastern Madagascar, especially in and around Rano ...

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Microgale mergulus The web-footed tenrec, Malagasy otter shrew, or aquatic tenrec (''Microgale mergulus'') is the only known semiaquatic tenrec (the related African otter shrews have similar habits), and is found in eastern Madagascar, especially in and around Rano ...

'') ********** Montane shrew tenrec (''

Microgale monticola The montane shrew tenrec (''Microgale monticola'') is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forest Montane ecosystems are found on the slopes ...

'') **********

Nasolo's shrew tenrec Nasolo's shrew tenrec (''Microgale nasoloi'') is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane Montane ecosystems are found on the slopes of mountai ...

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Microgale nasoloi Nasolo's shrew tenrec (''Microgale nasoloi'') is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane Montane ecosystems are found on the slopes of mountai ...

'') **********

Pygmy shrew tenrec The pygmy shrew tenrec (''Microgale parvula'') is a species of placental mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist forests. While it is not endangered, its population is sl ...

('' Microgale parvula'') **********

Greater long-tailed shrew tenrec The greater long-tailed shrew tenrec (''Microgale principula'') is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar, where its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist forests. Distribution and habitat The gre ...

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Microgale principula The greater long-tailed shrew tenrec (''Microgale principula'') is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar, where its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist forests. Distribution and habitat The gre ...

'') **********

Least shrew tenrec The least shrew tenrec (''Microgale pusilla'') is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar Madagascar (; mg, Madagasikara, ), officially the Republic of Madagascar ( mg, Repoblikan'i Madagasikara, links= ...

('' Microgale pusilla'') **********

Shrew-toothed shrew tenrec The shrew-toothed shrew tenrec (''Microgale soricoides'') is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar Madagascar (; mg, Madagasikara, ), officially the Republic of Madagascar ( mg, Repoblikan'i Madagasik ...

('' Microgale soricoides'') ********** Taiva shrew tenrec (''

Microgale taiva The taiva shrew tenrec (''Microgale taiva'') is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar Madagascar (; mg, Madagasikara, ), officially the Republic of Madagascar ( mg, Repoblikan'i Madagasikara, links=no ...

'') **********

Thomas's shrew tenrec Thomas's shrew tenrec (''Microgale thomasi'') is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar Madagascar (; mg, Madagasikara, ), officially the Republic of Madagascar ( mg, Repoblikan'i Madagasikara, links=n ...

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Microgale thomasi Thomas's shrew tenrec (''Microgale thomasi'') is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar Madagascar (; mg, Madagasikara, ), officially the Republic of Madagascar ( mg, Repoblikan'i Madagasikara, links=n ...

'') ********* Genus '' Nesogale'' **********

Dobson's shrew tenrec Dobson's shrew tenrec (''Nesogale dobsoni'') is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist forests, plantations, and heavily degraded former forest. On the ba ...

('' Nesogale dobsoni'') **********

Talazac's shrew tenrec Talazac's shrew tenrec (''Nesogale talazaci'') is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist forests. On the basis of molecular data indicating that it and Do ...

('' Nesogale talazaci'') ********* Genus '' Oryzorictes'' ********** Mole-like rice tenrec ('' Oryzorictes hova'') ********** Four-toed rice tenrec ('' Oryzorictes tetradactylus'') ******** Subfamily

Tenrecinae Tenrecinae is a tenrec subfamily endemic to the island of Madagascar. It contains the largest species in the family, '' Tenrec ecaudatus''. All members of the genus possess spines, analogous to those of hedgehogs, for defense against predators. ...

(5 species) ********* Genus ''

Echinops ''Echinops'' is a genus of about 120 species of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, commonly known as globe thistles. They have spiny foliage and produce blue or white spherical flower heads. They are native to Europe, east to central A ...

'' **********

Lesser hedgehog tenrec The lesser hedgehog tenrec (''Echinops telfairi'') is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is the only species in the genus ''Echinops'' and is named in honour of Charles Telfair. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats ...

('' Echinops telfairi'') ********* Genus '' Hemicentetes'' **********

Highland streaked tenrec The highland streaked tenrec (''Hemicentetes nigriceps'') is an insectivore which lives in the central upland regions of Madagascar. Its black and white striped body is covered with quills, which it will raise when agitated. The spines detach and ...

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Hemicentetes nigriceps The highland streaked tenrec (''Hemicentetes nigriceps'') is an insectivore which lives in the central upland regions of Madagascar. Its black and white striped body is covered with quills, which it will raise when agitated. The spines detach and ...

'') **********

Lowland streaked tenrec The lowland streaked tenrec (''Hemicentetes semispinosus'') is a small tenrec found in Madagascar. It belongs to the family Tenrecidae in the order Afrosoricida, and more specifically to the subfamily of the spiny tenrecs Tenrecinae. Its natural ...

('' Hemicentetes semispinosus'') ********* Genus '' Setifer'' **********

Greater hedgehog tenrec The greater hedgehog tenrec (''Setifer setosus''), also known as the large Madagascar hedgehog or sokina, is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical forests, shr ...

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Setifer setosus The greater hedgehog tenrec (''Setifer setosus''), also known as the large Madagascar hedgehog or sokina, is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical forests, shr ...

'') ********* Genus ''

Tenrec A tenrec is any species of mammal within the afrotherian family Tenrecidae endemic to Madagascar. Tenrecs are wildly diverse; as a result of convergent evolution some resemble hedgehogs, shrews, opossums, rats, and mice. They occupy aquatic, a ...

'' **********

Tailless tenrec The tailless tenrec (''Tenrec ecaudatus''), also known as the common tenrec, is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is the only member of the genus ''Tenrec''. Native to Madagascar, it is also found in the Comoros, Mauritius, Réun ...

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Tenrec ecaudatus The tailless tenrec (''Tenrec ecaudatus''), also known as the common tenrec, is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is the only member of the genus ''Tenrec''. Native to Madagascar, it is also found in the Comoros, Mauritius, Réu ...

'') ******* '' Incertae familiae'': Genus †''

Plesiorycteropus ''Plesiorycteropus'', also known as the bibymalagasy or Malagasy aardvark, is a recently extinct eutherian mammalian genus from Madagascar. Upon its description in 1895, it was classified with the aardvark, but more recent molecular evidence ins ...

'' ******** †''Plesiorycteropus madagascariensis'' ******** †''Plesiorycteropus germainepetterae'' ****** Suborder Chrysochloridea (

s) ******* Family

Chrysochloridae Golden moles are small insectivorous burrowing mammals endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa. They comprise the family Chrysochloridae and as such they are taxonomically distinct from the true moles, family Talpidae, and other mole-like families, al ...

(golden moles) ******** Subfamily

Chrysochlorinae Golden moles are small insectivorous burrowing mammals endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa. They comprise the family Chrysochloridae and as such they are taxonomically distinct from the true moles, family Talpidae, and other mole-like families, al ...

(11 species) ********* Genus ''

Carpitalpa Arends' golden mole (''Carpitalpa arendsi'') is a species of mammal in the family Chrysochloridae. It is found in Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Its natural habitats are temperate forests, subtropical or tropical dry, and moist montane forests, dr ...

'' ********** Arends' golden mole ('' Carpitalpa arendsi'') ********* Genus ''

Chlorotalpa ''Chlorotalpa'' is a genus of mammal Mammals () are a group of vertebrate animals constituting the class Mammalia (), characterized by the presence of mammary glands which in females produce milk for feeding (nursing) their young, ...

'' ********** Duthie's golden mole ('' Chlorotalpa duthieae'') ********** Sclater's golden mole ('' Chlorotalpa sclateri'') ********* Genus ''

Chrysochloris ''Chrysochloris'' is a genus of mammal in the family Chrysochloridae. It contains the following species: * Subgenus ''Chrysochloris'' **Cape golden mole The Cape golden mole (''Chrysochloris asiatica'') is a small, insectivorous mammal of t ...

'' ********** Subgenus ''Chrysochloris'' ***********

Cape golden mole The Cape golden mole (''Chrysochloris asiatica'') is a small, insectivorous mammal of the family Chrysochloridae, the golden mole Golden moles are small insectivorous burrowing mammals endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa. They comprise the family C ...

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Chrysochloris asiatica The Cape golden mole (''Chrysochloris asiatica'') is a small, insectivorous mammal of the family Chrysochloridae, the golden mole Golden moles are small insectivorous burrowing mammals endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa. They comprise the family C ...

'') *********** Visagie's golden mole ('' Chrysochloris visagiei'') ********** Subgenus ''Kilimatalpa'' ***********

Stuhlmann's golden mole Stuhlmann's golden mole (''Chrysochloris stuhlmanni'') is a species of mammal in the family Chrysochloridae. It is found in Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical ...

('' Chrysochloris stuhlmanni'') ********* Genus ''

Chrysospalax ''Chrysospalax'' is a small genus of mammal in the family Chrysochloridae. The two members are endemic to South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to ...

'' **********

Giant golden mole The giant golden mole (''Chrysospalax trevelyani'') is a small mammal found in Africa. At in length, it is the largest of the golden mole species. The mole has dark, glossy brown fur; the name ''golden'' comes from the Greek word for green-gold, ...

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Chrysospalax trevelyani The giant golden mole (''Chrysospalax trevelyani'') is a small mammal found in Africa. At in length, it is the largest of the golden mole species. The mole has dark, glossy brown fur; the name ''golden'' comes from the Greek word for green-gold, ...

'') **********

Rough-haired golden mole The rough-haired golden mole (''Chrysospalax villosus'') is a species of mammal that live mostly below ground. They have shiny coats of dense fur and a streamlined, formless appearance. They have no visible eyes or ears; in fact, they are blind ...

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Chrysospalax villosus The rough-haired golden mole (''Chrysospalax villosus'') is a species of mammal that live mostly below ground. They have shiny coats of dense fur and a streamlined, formless appearance. They have no visible eyes or ears; in fact, they are blind ...

'') ********* Genus ''

Cryptochloris ''Cryptochloris'' is a genus of golden moles, containing the two species De Winton's golden mole De Winton's golden mole (''Cryptochloris wintoni'') is a species of mammal in the family Chrysochloridae. It is endemic to South Africa. Its nat ...

'' **********

De Winton's golden mole De Winton's golden mole (''Cryptochloris wintoni'') is a species of mammal in the family Chrysochloridae. It is endemic to South Africa. Its natural habitats are subtropical dry shrubland, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, and sandy shores. I ...

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Cryptochloris wintoni De Winton's golden mole (''Cryptochloris wintoni'') is a species of mammal in the family Chrysochloridae. It is endemic to South Africa. Its natural habitats are subtropical dry shrubland, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, and sandy shores. I ...

'') ********** Van Zyl's golden mole (''

Cryptochloris zyli Van Zyl's golden mole (''Cryptochloris zyli'') is a golden mole endemic to the Western Cape Province, South Africa. It is listed as an endangered species due to habitat loss. Golden moles are an ancient group of mammals who live mostly below grou ...

'') ********* Genus ''

Eremitalpa Grant's golden mole (''Eremitalpa granti''; colloquially also: ''dune shark'') is a golden mole species. It is the only member of the genus ''Eremitalpa''. Attributes Like all other golden moles, the build of these animals is similar to the m ...

'' **********

Grant's golden mole Grant's golden mole (''Eremitalpa granti''; colloquially also: ''dune shark'') is a golden mole species. It is the only member of the genus ''Eremitalpa''. Attributes Like all other golden moles, the build of these animals is similar to the mo ...

('' Eremitalpa granti'') ******** Subfamily

Amblysominae Golden moles are small insectivorous burrowing mammals endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa. They comprise the family Chrysochloridae and as such they are taxonomically distinct from the true moles, family Talpidae, and other mole-like families, al ...

(10 species) ********* Genus '' Amblysomus'' **********

Fynbos golden mole The fynbos golden mole (''Amblysomus corriae'') is a species of mammal in the golden mole family, Chrysochloridae. It is endemic to South Africa. Its natural habitats are fynbos vegetation, temperate forests, shrubland, and grassland, subtropic ...

('' Amblysomus corriae'') ********** Hottentot golden mole ('' Amblysomus hottentotus'') ********** Marley's golden mole ('' Amblysomus marleyi'') ********** Robust golden mole ('' Amblysomus robustus'') ********** Highveld golden mole ('' Amblysomus septentrionalis'') ********* Genus ''

Calcochloris ''Calcochloris'' is a genus of mammal in the family Chrysochloridae Golden moles are small insectivorous burrowing mammals endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa. They comprise the family Chrysochloridae and as such they are taxonomically distinct fr ...

'' ********** Subgenus ''Huetia'' *********** Congo golden mole ('' Calcochloris leucorhinus'') ********** Subgenus ''Calcochloris'' ***********

Yellow golden mole The yellow golden mole (''Calcochloris obtusirostris'') is a species of mammal in the family Chrysochloridae. It is found in Mozambique , South Africa (KwaZulu-natal and the Limpopo), and Zimbabwe. The yellow golden mole's natural habitats are su ...

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Calcochloris obtusirostris The yellow golden mole (''Calcochloris obtusirostris'') is a species of mammal in the family Chrysochloridae. It is found in Mozambique , South Africa (KwaZulu-natal and the Limpopo), and Zimbabwe. The yellow golden mole's natural habitats are su ...

'') ********** Subgenus ''

incertae sedis ' () or ''problematica'' is a term used for a taxonomic group where its broader relationships are unknown or undefined. Alternatively, such groups are frequently referred to as "enigmatic taxa". In the system of open nomenclature, uncertaint ...

'' *********** Somali golden mole (''

Calcochloris tytonis The Somali golden mole (''Calcochloris tytonis'') is a golden mole endemic to Somalia. In 1964, Dr. Alberto Simonetta of the University of Florence discovered the mole's jaw and ear bone fragments in a barn owl pellet in Giohar, Somalia. The Som ...

'') ********* Genus '' Neamblysomus'' **********

Juliana's golden mole Juliana's golden mole (''Neamblysomus julianae'') is a golden mole endemic to South Africa. It is listed as an endangered species due to habitat loss and a restricted range. Golden moles are an ancient group of mammals that live mostly below grou ...

('' Neamblysomus julianae'') ********** Gunning's golden mole ('' Neamblysomus gunningi'')

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q328082 Mammal orders Extant Miocene first appearances

Naming

Biology

Phylogeny

See also

References