Thomas-Kleintenrek

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Thomas-Kleintenrek
Systematics
without rank: Afroinsectiphilia
Order : Tenrecus (Afrosoricida)
Family : Tenreks (Tenrecidae)
Subfamily : Travel treks (Oryzorictinae)
Genre : Kleintenreks ( Microgale )
Type : Thomas-Kleintenrek
Scientific name
Microgale thomasi
Major , 1896

The Thomas-Kleintenrek ( Microgale thomasi ), also Thomas-Kleintanrek , is a species of mammal belonging to the genus Kleintenreks within the Tenrek family . It belongs to the medium-sized representatives of the genus and, like other Kleintenreks, is characterized by a spindle-shaped body, short limbs and a long, narrow head with a pointed snout. The short tail is striking. The distribution of the species extends over a relatively large area in eastern Madagascar . There the animals inhabit the tropical rainforests of the middle and higher mountains. Little is known about their way of life. The species was scientifically introduced in 1896. The population is not endangered.

features

Habitus

The Thomas-Kleintenrek is a medium-sized representative of the Kleintenreks, about the size of the mountain-Kleintenrek ( Microgale monticola ). Three examined individuals from the distribution area in eastern Madagascar in general had a head-trunk length of 9.1 to 9.7 cm, the tail measured 6.2 to 7.2 cm. In contrast, ten analyzed animals from the Anosyenne Mountains in the south of the island reached a body length of 8.6 to 9.6 cm and a tail length of 6.3 to 8.0 cm. The body weight was 19.5 to 25 g. In general, like all Kleintenreks, the animals are characterized by a spindle-shaped body with short, powerful limbs and a long, narrow head with a pointed snout. The ears are moderately large, their length is 17-20 mm. The tail is generally a little shorter than the rest of the body. The back fur has a spotted pattern, it has a dark reddish brown color. The underside is lighter in color. The tail is distinguished by a two-tone tint, which is particularly noticeable at the base of the tail. The upper side appears dark brown, the underside yellowish brown. The tail is covered by a fur made of rather long, scaly hair. Hands and feet have a five-point structure, the foot measures 17 to 20 mm in length. In contrast to the mountain Kleintenrek, the individual foot limbs are not stretched. The first toe hardly protrudes to the base of the first phalanx of the second ray, the fifth toe extends to about the middle of the second phalanx of the fourth ray. The sole of the hind foot is covered with hair. The claws of the forefoot are long and curved. Females have one or two pairs of teats in the abdomen and two pairs in the groin.

Skull and dentition features

The skull is between 25.9 and 27.3 mm long, at the widest point in the area of ​​the brain skull it measures 10.5 to 11.6 mm. He is moderately robustly built, the rear skull area has a short, wide and high shape. The zygomatic arch is like not closed at all tenrecs. The posterior sphenoid bone (basic phenoid) is stepped and not as straight as in the mountain Kleintenrek, the posterior palatine bone ends rounded. The lower jaw has a length of 17.9 to 19.2 mm, of which the ascending branch takes up to 6.9 mm. The height of the crown process is 6.5 mm.

The dentition consists of 40 teeth along the dental formula is: . The very large first upper and lower premolars (P2) are striking . The molars largely correspond to those of the other Kleintenreks. They have a zalambdodontic chewing surface pattern, which consists of three main cusps. The posterior upper molar is reduced in size. The length of the upper row of teeth varies from 12.7 to 13.2 mm.

distribution

Distribution area of ​​the Thomas Kleintenreks

The Thomas Kleintenrek is endemic to Madagascar . Like many other representatives of the Kleintenreks, it occurs in the more humid east of the island state, where it inhabits a more or less wide strip that begins in the north near Zahamena in the central area of ​​the Toamasina province and southwards to the Anosyenne Mountains in the southern part the province of Toliara ranges. Other significant sites can be found in the central-eastern part of the island, including in the forest areas of Ambatovy-Analamay-Torotorofotsy, in the Toamasina province and Ranomafana in the Fianarantsoa province , as well as in the forest corridor of Anjozorobe-Angavo in the border area of ​​the provinces Toamasina and Antananarivo . Separated from this main distribution area, smaller populations occur further west in the forest area of ​​Tsinjoarivo and Nosiarivo on the Ankaratra massif south and southwest of the Malagasy capital Antananarivo in the province of the same name. In addition, the species could be detected further north on the Tsaratanana massif in the province of Mahajanga , which includes the Maromokotro, the highest point on the island. There the Thomas-Kleintenrek is only present at altitudes around 2050 m. Otherwise, the height distribution extends downwards to 800 m in the wider distribution area. The animals prefer moist tropical rainforests , but they are also found in areas influenced by humans. They can occur relatively frequently locally.

Way of life

The Thomas-Kleintenrek has only been little studied, and there are hardly any data on the way of life. The animals inhabit dense forests and live on the ground. According to isotope studies on individuals from the forest area of ​​Tsinjoarivo, their main diet consists of insects . They may also eat smaller members of the Kleintenreks. A milk-producing and a pregnant female were observed in the Anosyenne Mountains between mid-October and early December . The latter had one embryo per fallopian tube . Fleas of the genus Paractenopsyllus are known as external parasites , internal ones are represented by the unicellular Eimeria .

Systematics

Internal systematics of the Kleintenreks according to Everson et al. 2016
 Microgale  



 Microgale pusilla


   

 Microgale majori


   

 Microgale principula


   

 Microgale jenkinsae


   

 Microgale longicaudata






   

 Microgale mergulus


   

 Microgale parvula




   



 Microgale brevicaudata


   

 Microgale grandidieri



   

 Microgale drouhardi


   

 Microgale monticola


   

 Microgale taiva





   



 Microgale gracilis


   

 Microgale thomasi


   

 Microgale cowani


   

 Microgale jobihely





   

 Microgale dryas


   

 Microgale gymnorhyncha




   

 Microgale soricoides


   

 Microgale fotsifotsy


   

 Microgale nasoloi







Template: Klade / Maintenance / Style

The Thomas-Kleintenrek is a kind from the kind of microgale ( Microgale ) within the family of tenrecs (Tenrecidae). Together with the rice burrowers ( Oryzorictes ) and the representatives of the genus Nesogale, the Kleintenreks form the subfamily of the Reistenreks (Oryzorictinae). With more than 20 species, they are also the most diverse member of the Tenreks. According to some morphological features, the Kleintenreks are to be regarded as originally within the family. According to molecular genetic analyzes, the genus emerged in the Lower Miocene around 16.8 million years ago. In the time that followed, there was a strong diversification. Today's representatives show adaptations to different ways of life, some species that dig underground, live above ground or tree-climb and inhabit water. The much larger part of the Kleintenreks inhabit the moist forests of eastern Madagascar, but comparatively few forms have also developed the drier landscapes of the western part of the island. Within the genus, different kinship groups can be detected both morphologically and genetically. In earlier morphological analyzes, the Thomas Kleintenrek was considered to be closely related to the Cowan Kleintenrek ( Microgale cowani ), in the vicinity of which the Dwarf Kleintenrek ( Microgale parvula ) was also seen. Other authors later suspected a closer relationship to the mountain Kleintenrek ( Microgale monticola ). Genetic studies support the former assumption, although the dwarf lesser rek is no longer related to the genus.

The Thomas-Kleintenrek received its first scientific description in 1896 by Charles Immanuel Forsyth Major . Major two individuals were available for this, one of which came from the forest area of ​​Ampitambè in the vicinity of Fandriana in the south-central and another from the forest area of ​​Ivohimanitra near Ambohimanga in the central highlands of Madagascar. The holotype , a fully grown male, was recovered in 1865 by Major himself at the former location, which is considered the type region. However, there are individual problems with the exact location of the find area, since Major's information is inconclusive. At present, there are guesses as to where the Ampitambè forest is actually located from 120 km north to 70 km south of Fandriana. The additional species thomasi refers to Oldfield Thomas , who named numerous representatives of the Kleintenreks and who also established the genus Microgale in 1882 . Major compared his new species to the Cowan Kleintenrek and noted that the two were very similar but differ in size. Sometimes it was considered to merge both types. However, in addition to the size differences, there are also significant deviations in the karyotype and thus the respective species status is justified. In addition, genetic studies show the Thomas Kleintenrek as a sister taxon of a group consisting of the Cowan and the Dark Kleintenrek ( Microgale jobihely ).

Threat and protection

Threats to the existence of the Thomas-Kleintenreks arise locally from forest destruction and fragmentation of the habitat as a result of conversion into agriculturally usable areas. Timber extraction or forest fires also have a negative impact. However, the species is widespread and the population is assumed to be correspondingly large. In addition, the animals can cope with landscapes that have been altered by anthropogenic factors, such as pastures in forests. The IUCN therefore classifies the Thomas-Kleintenrek as “not threatened” ( least concern ). It is present in several protected areas such as the Andohahela National Park , the Andringitra National Park , the Ranomafana National Park and the Mantadia National Park . For the protection of the animals, further studies on their population in general as well as on biology and ecology are necessary.

literature

  • Paulina D. Jenkins: Tenrecidae (Tenrecs and Shrew tenrecs). In: Don E. Wilson and Russell A. Mittermeier (eds.): Handbook of the Mammals of the World. Volume 8: Insectivores, Sloths and Colugos. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona 2018, pp. 134–172 (pp. 170–171) ISBN 978-84-16728-08-4
  • Charles Immanuel Forsyth Major: Diagnoses of new mammals from Madagascar. The Annals and magazine of natural history 18, 1896, pp. 318–321 ( [2] )

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c d e Steven M. Goodman and Paulina D. Jenkins: The Insectivores of the Réserve Spéciale d'Anjanaharibe-Sud, Madagascar. Fieldiana Zoology 90, 1998, pp. 139-161
  2. ↑ a b c d e f Steven M. Goodman, Paulina D. Jenkins and Mark Pidgeon: Lipotyphla (Tenrecidae and Soricidae) of the Réserve Naturelle Intégrale d'Andohahela, Madagascar. Fieldiana Zoology 94, 1999, pp. 187-216
  3. ^ A b Charles Immanuel Forsyth Major: Diagnoses of new mammals from Madagascar. The Annals and magazine of natural history 18, 1896, pp. 318-321
  4. ↑ a b c Paulina D. Jenkins: Tenrecidae (Tenrecs and Shrew tenrecs). In: Don E. Wilson and Russell A. Mittermeier (eds.): Handbook of the Mammals of the World. Volume 8: Insectivores, Sloths and Colugos. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona 2018, pp. 134–172 (pp. 170–171) ISBN 978-84-16728-08-4
  5. ↑ Landryh Tojomanana Ramanana: Petits mammifères (Afrosoricida et Rodentia) nouvellement recensés dans le Parc National d'Andohahela (parcelle 1), Madagascar. Malagasy Nature 4, 2010, pp. 66-72
  6. ↑ Voahangy Soarimalala and Martin Raheriarisena: The non-volant and non-primate mammals of the Ambatovy Analamay forest. In: Steven. M. Goodman and V. Mass (Eds.): Biodiversity, exploration, and conservation of the natural habitats associated with the Ambatovy project. Malagasy Nature 3, 2010, pp. 153-177
  7. ↑ PJ Stepehenson: Taxonomy of shrew-tenrecs (Microgale ssp.) From eastern and central Madagascar. Journal of Zoology 235, 1995, pp. 339-359
  8. ↑ Voahangy Soarimalala, Steven M. Goodman, H. Ramiaranjanahary, LL Fenohery and W. Rakotonirina: Les micromammifères non-volants du Parc National de Ranomafana et du couloir forestier qui le relie au Parc National d'Andringitra. Dans Inventaire biologique du Parc National de Ranomafana et du couloir forestier qui la relie au Parc National d'Andringitra. In: Steven M. Goodman and VR Razafindratsita (eds.): Recherches pour le Développement. Série Sciences Biologiques 17, 2001, pp. 199-229
  9. ↑ Voahangy Soarimalala, Landryh T. Ramanana, José M. Ralison and Steven M. Goodman: Les petits mammifères non-volants du “Couloir forestier d'Anjozorobe - Angavo”. In: Steven M. Goodman, Achille P. Raselimanana and Lucienne Wilmé (eds.): Inventaires de la faune et de la flore du couloir forestier d'Anjozorobe - Angavo. Recherche pour le développement, Série Sciences biologiques, Center d'Information et de Documentation Scientifique et Technique 24, 2007, pp. 141-182
  10. ↑ Steven M. Goodman, Daniel Rakotondravony, George Schatz and Lucienne Wilmé: Species richness of forest-dwelling birds, rodents and insectivores in a planted forest of native trees: A test case from the Ankaratra, Madagascar. Ecotropica 2, 1996, pp. 109-120
  11. ↑ Steven M. Goodman, Daniel Rakotondravony, Marie Jeanne Raherilalao, Domoina Rakotomalala, Achille P. Raselimanana, Voahangy Soarimalala, Jean-Marc Duplantier, Jean-Bernard Duchemin and J. Rafanomezantsoa: Inventaire biologique de la Foret de Tsinjoarivo, Ambatolampy. Akon'ny Ala 27, 2000, pp. 18-27
  12. ↑ Claudette Patricia Maminirina, Steven M. Goodman and Christopher J. Raxworthy: Les micro-mammifères (Mammalia, Rodentia, Afrosoricida et Soricomorpha) du du massif Tsaratanana et biogeography of Forests de montagnes de Madagascar. Zoosystema 30, 2008, pp. 695-721
  13. ↑ Toky M. Randriamoria, Voahangy Soarimalala and Steven M. Goodman: Terrestrial “forest-dwelling” endemic small mammals captured outside of natural habitats in the Moramanga District, central eastern Madagascar. Malagasy Nature 9, 2015, pp. 97-106
  14. ↑ a b c P. J. Stephenson, Voahangy Soarimalala and Steven M. Goodman: Microgale thomasi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. e.T13355A97202776 ( [1] ); last accessed on October 2, 2016
  15. ↑ Melanie Dammhahn, Voahangy Soarimalala and Steven M. Goodman: Trophic Niche Differentiation and Microhabitat Utilization in a Species-rich Montane Forest Small Mammal Community of Eastern Madagascar. Biotropica 45 (1), 2013, pp. 111-118
  16. ↑ Jean-Claude Beaucournu, H. Rico Randrenjarison Andriniaina and Steven M. Goodman: Puces (Insecta: Siphonaptera) d'Ambohitantely, Madagascar: Spécificité et phenologie. Malagasy Nature 9, 2015, pp. 39-48
  17. ↑ J.-B. Duchemin: Leptopsyllines from Madagascar (Insecta: Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae): Description of five new species of Paractenopsyllus Wagner, (1938). Parasite 11, 2004, pp. 59-70
  18. ↑ Steven M. Goodman, H. Rico Randrenjarison Andriniaina, Voahangy Soarimalala and Jean-Claude Beaucournu: The Fleas of Endemic and Introduced Small Mammals in Central Highland Forests of Madagascar: Faunistics, Species Diversity, and Absence of Host Specificity. Journal of Medical Entomology 52 (5), 2015, pp. 1135-1143
  19. ↑ Michael W. Hastriter and Carl W. Dick: A description of Paractenopsyllus madagascarensis sp. n. and the female of Paractenopsyllus raxworthyi Duchemin & Ratovonjato, 2004 (Siphonaptera, Leptopsyllidae) from Madagascar with a key to the species of Paractenopsyllus. ZooKeys 13, 2009, pp. 43-55
  20. ↑ Lee Couch, Juha Laakkonen, Steven Goodman, and Donald W. Duszynski: Two New Eimerians (Apicomplexa) from Insectivorous Mammals in Madagascar. Journal of Parasitology 97 (2), 2011, pp. 293-296
  21. ↑ a b c d Kathryn M. Everson, Voahangy Soarimalala, Steven M. Goodman and Link E. Olson: Multiple loci and complete taxonomic sampling resolve the phylogeny and biogeographic history of tenrecs (Mammalia: Tenrecidae) and reveal higher speciation rates in Madagascar's humid forests. Systematic Biology 65 (5), 2016, pp. 890-909 doi: 10.1093 / sysbio / syw034
  22. ^ JF Eisenberg and Edwin Gould: The Tenrecs: A Study in Mammalian Behavior and Evolution. Smithsonian Institution Press, 1970, pp. 1-138
  23. ↑ a b c d R. DE MacPhee: The Shrew Tenrecs of Madagascar: Systematic Revision and Holocene Distribution of Microgale (Tenrecidae, Insectivora). American Museum Novitates 2889, 1987, pp. 1-45
  24. ↑ C. Gilbert, SM Goodman, V. Soarimalala, LE Olson, PCM O'Brien, FFB Elder, F. Yang, MA Ferguson-Smith and TJ Robinson: Chromosomal evolution in tenrecs (Microgale and Oryzorictes, Tenrecidae) from the Central Highlands of Madagascar. Chromosome Research 15, 2007, pp. 1075-1091

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