The order 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 o ...

, 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- ...

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 mammals 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, wi ...

, and were later included in

Lipotyphla Lipotyphla is a formerly used order (biology), 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 T ...

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 conver ...

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 spec ...

'' 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 introductio ...

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 differ ...

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 k ...

. 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 ***** 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 ot ...

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

s) ******** Genus '' Micropotamogale'' ********* Nimba otter shrew ('' Micropotamogale lamottei'') ********* Ruwenzori otter shrew ('' 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 ...

('' Potamogale velox'') ******* Family Tenrecidae (

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

Large-eared tenrec The large-eared tenrec (''Geogale aurita'') is a species of mammal in the Family (biology), family Tenrecidae. It is the only species in the Monotypic taxon, monotypic genus ''Geogale'', and the only member of the subfamily Geogalinae. It is ende ...

(''

Geogale aurita The large-eared tenrec (''Geogale aurita'') is a species of mammal in the Family (biology), family Tenrecidae. It is the only species in the Monotypic taxon, monotypic genus ''Geogale'', and the only member of the subfamily Geogalinae. It is ende ...

'') ******** 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) ...

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

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 a ...

('' 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 ...

('' Hemicentetes nigriceps'') ********** Lowland streaked tenrec ('' Hemicentetes semispinosus'') ********* Genus ''

Setifer 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, sh ...

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

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, shru ...

('' Setifer setosus'') ********* 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 ...

(''

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 Monotypic taxon, only member of the genus ''Tenrec''. Native to Madagascar, it is also found in the Comoros, M ...

'') ******* '' 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, all ...

(golden moles) ******** Subfamily Chrysochlorinae (11 species) ********* Genus '' Carpitalpa'' ********** Arends' golden mole ('' Carpitalpa arendsi'') ********* Genus ''

Chlorotalpa ''Chlorotalpa'' is a genus of mammal in the family Chrysochloridae. It contains the following species: * Duthie's golden mole Duthie's golden mole (''Chlorotalpa duthieae'') is a species of mammal in the family Chrysochloridae. It is endemi ...

'' ********** Duthie's golden mole (''

Chlorotalpa duthieae Duthie's golden mole (''Chlorotalpa duthieae'') is a species of mammal in the family Chrysochloridae. It is endemic to South Africa. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, moist savanna, temperate grassland, arabl ...

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

Sclater's golden mole Sclater's golden mole (''Chlorotalpa sclateri'') is a species of mammal in the family Chrysochloridae. It is found in Lesotho and South Africa. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry and high-altitude shrubland, Mediterranean-type s ...

(''

Chlorotalpa sclateri Sclater's golden mole (''Chlorotalpa sclateri'') is a species of mammal in the family Chrysochloridae. It is found in Lesotho and South Africa. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry and high-altitude shrubland, Mediterranean-type s ...

'') ********* Genus '' Chrysochloris'' ********** Subgenus ''Chrysochloris'' *********** Cape golden mole (''

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

Chrysospalax ''Chrysospalax'' is a small genus of mammal in the family Chrysochloridae. The two members are endemic to South Africa. It contains the following species: * Rough-haired golden mole (''Chrysospalax villosus'') * Giant golden mole The giant gol ...

'' ********** Giant golden mole (''

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 ('' Chrysospalax villosus'') ********* Genus '' Cryptochloris'' ********** De Winton's golden mole (''

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'') ********* 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 mo ...

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

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 m ...

('' Eremitalpa granti'') ******** Subfamily Amblysominae (10 species) ********* Genus '' Amblysomus'' ********** Fynbos golden mole ('' Amblysomus corriae'') ********** Hottentot golden mole ('' Amblysomus hottentotus'') ********** Marley's golden mole (''

Amblysomus marleyi Marley's golden mole (''Amblysomus marleyi'') is a species of burrowing mammal in the golden mole family, Chrysochloridae. It is found in South Africa and possibly Eswatini. It has been separated from '' Amblysomus hottentotus'' by Bronner (1995b ...

'') ********** Robust golden mole (''

Amblysomus robustus The robust golden mole (''Amblysomus robustus'') is a species of mammal in the golden mole family, Chrysochloridae. It is endemic to parts of Mpumalanga province in South Africa. Its natural habitats are temperate forests, subtropical or tropical ...

'') ********** Highveld golden mole (''

Amblysomus septentrionalis The highveld golden mole (''Amblysomus septentrionalis'') is a species of mammal in the golden mole family, Chrysochloridae. It is found in South Africa and Eswatini. Its natural habitats are forests, moist savanna, temperate shrubland and grassl ...

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

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, uncertain ...

'' *********** Somali golden mole ('' Calcochloris tytonis'') ********* Genus '' Neamblysomus'' ********** Juliana's golden mole ('' Neamblysomus julianae'') ********** Gunning's golden mole ('' Neamblysomus gunningi'')

References

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

Naming

Biology

Phylogeny

See also

References