Aquitanian mole

Aquitanian mole
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Eulipotyphla
Family:	Talpidae
Genus:	Talpa
Species:	T. aquitania
Binomial name
	Talpa aquitania; Nicolas, Martínez-Vargas, & Hugot, 2017
	Aquitanian mole range

Last updated June 20, 2025

The Aquitanian mole (Talpa aquitania) is a species of small burrowing mammal of the family Talpidae. It is found from the southwest of France to the north of Spain. Closely related to the European mole (T. europaea), this species was described in 2017,^[1] and it is difficult to distinguish it from it.

Taxonomy

This species was described in 2017 by zoologists Violaine Nicolas, Jessica Martínez-Vargas and Jean-Pierre Hugot.^[1]^[2]

Its specific epithet, aquitania, means "Aquitaine", a former French region which is part of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, where it is most abundant.^[1]

Distribution

It ranges from the southwestern region of France to the north of Spain. It is mainly distributed south and west of the Loire River, with the inverse being true for the European mole; however, this is not a strict barrier, as specimens of both species have been caught on opposite sides of the river from their main distribution, and thus they are likely sympatric in some areas.^[3]

Description

The Aquitanian mole is very similar to the European mole, a mole with a much wider range. It can be distinguished unambiguously from the European mole and the Spanish mole (T. occidentalis) by the combination of the following characters:^[1]

the eyelids are fused;
the eyes are completely covered with a membrane, while the European Mole has its eyes open;
its head, body and hind legs are significantly larger in size;
its weight is also heavier; its weight varies from 72 to 106 g, the length of its head and body from 142 to 156 mm, its legs from 20 to 23 mm.

In addition, there are differences from these two species:

at the dental level (M2 and M3 molars);
from a genetic point of view (cytochrome b gene).^[1]

References

1 2 3 4 5 Nicolas, Martínez-Vargas & Hugot 2017
↑ "Explore the Database". www.mammaldiversity.org. Retrieved 2021-10-17.
↑ Nicolas, Violaine; Hugot, Jean-Pierre; Cornette, Raphaël (2021-09-21). "New data on the distribution of the two mole species Talpa aquitania Nicolas, Matinez-Vargas & Hugot, 2017 and T. europaea Linnaeus, 1758 in France based on museum and newly collected specimens". Zoosystema. 43 (24): 585–617. doi:10.5252/zoosystema2021v43a24. ISSN 1280-9551. S2CID 238260731.

Cited Sources

(fr) Référence INPN : Talpa aquitania Nicolas, Martínez-Vargas & Hugot, 2017 (consulté le 22 janvier 2020)^{[ failed verification ]}