Afrosoricida is an order of placental mammals. Members of this order are called afrosoricids, and include golden moles, otter shrews, and tenrecs. They are found in Africa, generally in forests, but also inland wetlands, shrublands, and grasslands. They range in size from the least shrew tenrec, at 4 cm (2 in) plus a 6 cm (2 in) tail, to the giant otter shrew, at 34 cm (13 in) plus a 39 cm (15 in) tail. Afrosoricids primarily eat invertebrates, particularly insects and earthworms, though some will also eat small lizards or other vertebrates. The golden moles have vestigial eyes covered with skin, and track their prey through vibrations rather than sight. [1] No population estimates have been made for any afrosoricid species, though the De Winton's golden mole is classified as Critically Endangered and the giant golden mole, Gunning's golden mole, Jenkins's shrew tenrec, Juliana's golden mole, Marley's golden mole, northern shrew tenrec, and Van Zyl's golden mole are categorized as endangered species.
The fifty-five extant species of Afrosoricida are divided into two suborders, with Chrysochloridea containing the family Chrysochloridae, or golden moles, and Tenrecomorpha containing the families Potamogalidae, or otter shrews, and Tenrecidae, or tenrecs. Chrysochloridae is split into the subfamilies Chrysochlorinae, containing eleven species in six genera, and Amblysominae, containing ten species in four genera. Potamogalidae consists of three species in two genera, while Tenrecidae contains the subfamilies of Geogalinae, comprising a single species, Oryzorictinae, containing twenty-five species in three genera, and Tenrecinae, containing five species in four genera. The order as a whole was traditionally grouped with the hedgehogs, shrews, and moles as part of the order Lipotyphla, but modern molecular phylogenetic analysis resulted in that order being split into Afrosoricida and Eulipotyphla. Few extinct Afrosoricida species have been discovered, though due to ongoing research and discoveries the exact number and categorization are not fixed. [2]
Conservation status | |
---|---|
EX | Extinct (0 species) |
EW | Extinct in the wild (0 species) |
CR | Critically Endangered (1 species) |
EN | Endangered (7 species) |
VU | Vulnerable (9 species) |
NT | Near threatened (2 species) |
LC | Least concern (32 species) |
Other categories | |
DD | Data deficient (4 species) |
NE | Not evaluated (0 species) |
Conservation status codes listed follow the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Range maps are provided wherever possible; if a range map is not available, a description of the afrosoricid's range is provided. Ranges are based on the IUCN Red List for that species unless otherwise noted. All extinct species or subspecies listed alongside extant species went extinct after 1500 CE, and are indicated by a dagger symbol "†".
The order Afrosoricida consists of two suborders, Chrysochloridea and Tenrecomorpha. Chrysochloridea consists of the family Chrysochloridae, or golden moles, and Tenrecomorpha contains the families Potamogalidae, or otter shrews, and Tenrecidae, or tenrecs. Chrysochloridae contains twenty-one species in ten genera, divided into two subfamilies. Potamogalidae consists of three species in two genera, while Tenrecidae contains thirty-one species in eight genera, divided into three subfamilies. Many of these species are further subdivided into subspecies. This does not include hybrid species or extinct prehistoric species.
Suborder Chrysochloridea
Suborder Tenrecomorpha
The following classification is based on the taxonomy described by the reference work Mammal Species of the World (2005), with augmentation by generally accepted proposals made since using molecular phylogenetic analysis, as supported by both the IUCN and the American Society of Mammalogists. [6]
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Arends's golden mole | C. arendsi (Lundholm, 1955) | Mozambique and Zimbabwe | Size: 11–14 cm (4–6 in) long [7] Habitat: Forest and grassland [8] Diet: Insects and earthworms [7] | VU
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Duthie's golden mole | C. duthieae (Broom, 1907) | Southern South Africa | Size: 9–13 cm (4–5 in) long [9] Habitat: Forest, savanna, and grassland [10] Diet: Earthworms [9] | VU
|
Sclater's golden mole | C. sclateri (Broom, 1907) Four subspecies
| South Africa and Lesotho | Size: 8–14 cm (3–6 in) long [11] Habitat: Shrubland and grassland [12] Diet: Eathworms and insect larvae [11] | LC
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cape golden mole | C. asiatica (Linnaeus, 1758) | Western South Africa | Size: 9–12 cm (4–5 in) long [13] Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and grassland [14] Diet: Insects and small invertebrates, as well as small lizards [15] | LC
|
Stuhlmann's golden mole | C. stuhlmanni Matschie, 1894 Three subspecies
| Scattered central Africa | Size: 10–13 cm (4–5 in) long [16] Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and grassland [17] Diet: Earthworms and insect larvae, as well as other invertebrates [16] | LC
|
Visagie's golden mole | C. visagiei Broom, 1950 | Western South Africa | Size: About 10 cm (4 in) long [18] Habitat: Shrubland [19] Diet: Unknown [18] | DD
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Giant golden mole | C. trevelyani (Günther, 1875) | Southern South Africa | Size: 20–24 cm (8–9 in) long [20] Habitat: Forest and grassland [21] Diet: Small invertebrates, especially giant earthworms and millipedes, as well as small vertebrates [21] | EN
|
Rough-haired golden mole | C. villosus (Smith, 1833) Six subspecies
| South Africa | Size: 12–18 cm (5–7 in) long [22] Habitat: Shrubland and grassland [23] Diet: Small invertebrates, especially termites and earthworms [22] | VU
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
De Winton's golden mole | C. wintoni (Broom, 1907) | Western South Africa | Size: 8–10 cm (3–4 in) long [24] Habitat: Shrubland [25] Diet: Unknown [24] | CR
|
Van Zyl's golden mole | C. zyli Shortridge, Carter, 1938 | Western South Africa | Size: About 8 cm (3 in) long [26] Habitat: Shrubland [27] Diet: Unknown [26] | EN
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Grant's golden mole | E. granti (Broom, 1907) Two subspecies
| Western South Africa and Namibia | Size: 7–9 cm (3–4 in) long [28] Habitat: Shrubland and desert [29] Diet: Termites and other insects, as well as roots and small lizards [28] | LC
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fynbos golden mole | A. corriae Thomas, 1905 Two subspecies
| Southern South Africa | Size: 10–13 cm (4–5 in) long [30] Habitat: Forest, savanna, shrubland, and grassland [31] Diet: Insects [30] | NT
|
Highveld golden mole | A. septentrionalis Roberts, 1913 | Eastern South Africa | Size: 10–15 cm (4–6 in) long [32] Habitat: Forest, savanna, shrubland, and grassland [33] Diet: Earthworms and other invertebrates [32] | NT
|
Hottentot golden mole | A. hottentotus (Smith, 1829) Five subspecies
| South Africa | Size: 10–14 cm (4–6 in) long [34] Habitat: Forest, savanna, shrubland, and grassland [35] Diet: Earthworms and other invertebrates [34] | LC
|
Marley's golden mole | A. marleyi Roberts, 1931 | Eastern South Africa | Size: 9–12 cm (4–5 in) long [36] Habitat: Forest, savanna, shrubland, and grassland [37] Diet: Insects [36] | EN
|
Robust golden mole | A. robustus Bronner, 2000 | Eastern South Africa | Size: 10–15 cm (4–6 in) long [38] Habitat: Shrubland and grassland [39] Diet: Small insects and earthworms [38] | VU
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Yellow golden mole | C. obtusirostris (Peters, 1851) Three subspecies
| Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe | Size: 8–11 cm (3–4 in) long [40] Habitat: Forest and savanna [41] Diet: Insects as well as small lizards [40] | LC
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Congo golden mole | H. leucorhinus (Huet, 1885) Two subspecies
| Western Central Africa | Size: 8–10 cm (3–4 in) long [42] Habitat: Forest [43] Diet: Earthworms and other invertebrates [32] | DD
|
Somali golden mole | H. tytonis (Simonetta, 1968) | Somalia | Size: Unknown [40] Habitat: Savanna [44] Diet: Unknown [40] | DD
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Gunning's golden mole | N. gunningi (Broom, 1908) | Northern South Africa | Size: 11–14 cm (4–6 in) long [45] Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and grassland [46] Diet: Earthworms [45] | EN
|
Juliana's golden mole | N. julianae (Meester, 1972) | Northern South Africa | Size: 9–11 cm (4 in) long [47] Habitat: Savanna and grassland [48] Diet: Earthworms and insects [49] | EN
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nimba otter shrew | M. lamottei Heim de Balsac, 1954 | Mount Richard-Molard area in western Africa | Size: 12–16 cm (5–6 in) long, plus 9–14 cm (4–6 in) tail [50] Habitat: Forest and inland wetlands [51] Diet: Crabs and catfish, as well as insects and tadpoles [51] | VU
|
Ruwenzori otter shrew | M. ruwenzorii (de Witte, Frechkop, 1955) | Central Africa | Size: 12–20 cm (5–8 in) long, plus 10–15 cm (4–6 in) tail [52] Habitat: Forest and inland wetlands [53] Diet: Insect larvae and worms, as well as small fish, frogs, and crabs [52] | LC
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Giant otter shrew | P. velox (Du Chaillu, 1860) | Central Africa | Size: 30–34 cm (12–13 in) long, plus 23–29 cm (9–11 in) tail [54] Habitat: Forest and inland wetlands [55] Diet: Fishes, crabs, shrimps, and water insects, as well as frogs [55] | LC
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Large-eared tenrec | G. aurita Milne-Edwards, Grandidier, 1872 Two subspecies
| Scattered Madagascar | Size: 6–8 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 3–4 cm (1–2 in) tail [56] Habitat: Forest and shrubland [57] Diet: Ants, termites, and other invertebrates [56] | LC
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cowan's shrew tenrec | M. cowani Thomas, 1882 | Madagascar | Size: 6–10 cm (2–4 in) long, plus 6–8 cm (2–3 in) tail [58] Habitat: Forest [59] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates, as well as small vertebrates [60] | LC
|
Drouhard's shrew tenrec | M. drouhardi Grandidier, 1934 | Eastern Madagascar | Size: 6–9 cm (2–4 in) long, plus 5–9 cm (2–4 in) tail [61] Habitat: Forest [62] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates, as well as small vertebrates [60] | LC
|
Dryad shrew tenrec | M. dryas Jenkins, 1992 | Northeastern Madagascar | Size: 17–18 cm (7–7 in) long, plus tail [63] Habitat: Forest [64] Diet: Invertebrates [63] | VU
|
Gracile shrew tenrec | M. gracilis (Major, 1896) | Eastern Madagascar | Size: 16–19 cm (6–7 in) long, plus tail [65] Habitat: Forest [66] Diet: Believed to be insects, earthworms, and other invertebrates [65] | LC
|
Grandidier's shrew tenrec | M. grandidieri Olson, Rakotomalala, Hildebrandt, Lanier, Raxworthy, Goodman, 2009 | Western Madagascar | Size: 5–8 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 3–4 cm (1–2 in) tail [67] Habitat: Forest and shrubland [68] Diet: Believed to be insects and other invertebrates [67] | LC
|
Greater long-tailed shrew tenrec | M. principula Thomas, 1926 | Eastern Madagascar | Size: 7–8 cm (3 in) long, plus 14–18 cm (6–7 in) tail [69] Habitat: Forest [70] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates, as well as small vertebrates [60] | LC
|
Jenkins's shrew tenrec | M. jenkinsae Goodman, Soarimalala, 2004 | Southwestern Madagascar | Size: 7–8 cm (3 in) long, plus 7–9 cm (3–4 in) tail [71] Habitat: Forest and shrubland [72] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates [60] | EN
|
Least shrew tenrec | M. pusilla Major, 1896 | Eastern Madagascar | Size: 4–6 cm (2 in) long, plus 6–8 cm (2–3 in) tail [73] Habitat: Forest and inland wetlands [74] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates [60] | LC
|
Lesser long-tailed shrew tenrec | M. longicaudata Thomas, 1882 | Central and northern Madagascar | Size: 6–8 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 11–16 cm (4–6 in) tail [60] Habitat: Forest [75] Diet: Insects, arachnids, crustaceans, and other invertebrates [76] | LC
|
Major's long-tailed tenrec | M. majori Thomas, 1918 | Madagascar | Size: 5–7 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 10–14 cm (4–6 in) tail [77] Habitat: Forest [78] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates [60] | LC
|
Montane shrew tenrec | M. monticola Goodman, Jenkins, 1998 | Northeastern Madagascar | Size: 7–10 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 9–12 cm (4–5 in) tail [79] Habitat: Forest [80] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates [60] | VU
|
Naked-nosed shrew tenrec | M. gymnorhyncha Jenkins, Goodman, Raxworthy, 1996 | Eastern Madagascar | Size: 13–18 cm (5–7 in) long, plus tail [81] Habitat: Forest [82] Diet: Insects, as well as small mammals, amphibians, vegetation, and potentially carrion [81] | LC
|
Nasolo's shrew tenrec | M. nasoloi Jenkins, 1999 | Western Madagascar | Size: About 8 cm (3 in) long, plus 5 cm (2 in) tail [83] Habitat: Forest [84] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates [60] | VU
|
Northern shrew tenrec | M. jobihely Goodman, Raxworthy, Maminirina, Olson, 2006 | Eastern and northern Madagascar | Size: 4–7 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 4–6 cm (2 in) tail [85] Habitat: Forest [86] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates [60] | EN
|
Pale shrew tenrec | M. fotsifotsy Jenkins, Raxworthy, Nussbaum, 1997 | Eastern and northern Madagascar | Size: 6–9 cm (2–4 in) long, plus 7–10 cm (3–4 in) tail [79] Habitat: Forest [87] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates [60] | LC
|
Pygmy shrew tenrec | M. parvula Grandidier, 1934 | Eastern and northern Madagascar | Size: 5–7 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 4–7 cm (2–3 in) tail [88] Habitat: Forest [89] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates [60] | LC
|
Short-tailed shrew tenrec | M. brevicaudata Grandidier, 1899 | Western and northern Madagascar | Size: 6–7 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 3 cm (1 in) tail [90] Habitat: Forest and shrubland [91] Diet: Insects and small vertebrates [90] | LC
|
Shrew-toothed shrew tenrec | M. soricoides Jenkins, 1993 | Eastern Madagascar | Size: 7–11 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 8–11 cm (3–4 in) tail [92] Habitat: Forest [93] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates, as well as small vertebrates [60] | LC
|
Taiva shrew tenrec | M. taiva Major, 1896 | Eastern Madagascar | Size: 5–8 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 7–9 cm (3–4 in) tail [85] Habitat: Forest [94] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates [60] | LC
|
Thomas's shrew tenrec | M. thomasi Major, 1896 | Eastern Madagascar | Size: 7–12 cm (3–5 in) long, plus 5–8 cm (2–3 in) tail [77] Habitat: Forest [95] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates [60] | LC
|
Web-footed tenrec | M. mergulus Major, 1896 | Eastern Madagascar | Size: 12–17 cm (5–7 in) long, plus 11–17 cm (4–7 in) tail [96] Habitat: Forest and inland wetlands [97] Diet: Insects, as well as tadpoles and crayfish [96] | VU
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dobson's shrew tenrec | N. dobsoni (Thomas, 1884) | Eastern and northern Madagascar | Size: 9–12 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 10–11 cm (4 in) tail [98] Habitat: Forest [99] Diet: Insects and ant eggs [98] | LC
|
Talazac's shrew tenrec | N. talazaci (Major, 1896) | Eastern Madagascar | Size: 4–13 cm (2–5 in) long, plus 4–16 cm (2–6 in) tail [100] Habitat: Forest [101] Diet: Insects as well as frogs [100] | LC
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Four-toed rice tenrec | O. tetradactylus Milne-Edwards, Grandidier, 1882 | Southeastern Madagascar | Size: 10–12 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 4–6 cm (2 in) tail [102] Habitat: Forest, shrubland, grassland, and inland wetlands [103] Diet: Worms, insects, and other invertebrates [102] | DD
|
Mole-like rice tenrec | O. hova Grandidier, 1870 | Eastern and northern Madagascar | Size: 9–13 cm (4–5 in) long, plus tail [104] Habitat: Forest and inland wetlands [105] Diet: insects and earthworms, as well as plants [104] | LC
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Lesser hedgehog tenrec | E. telfairi Martin, 1838 | Southwestern Madagascar | Size: 14–18 cm (6–7 in) long, plus 13–17 cm (5–7 in) tail [106] Habitat: Forest, savanna, shrubland, and grassland [107] Diet: Insects and fruit [106] | LC
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Highland streaked tenrec | H. nigriceps Günther, 1875 | Eastern Madagascar | Size: 12–16 cm (5–6 in) long [108] Habitat: Forest and savanna [109] Diet: Soft-bodied invertebrates [109] | LC
|
Lowland streaked tenrec | H. semispinosus (Cuvier, 1798) | Eastern Madagascar | Size: 13–19 cm (5–7 in) long [110] Habitat: Forest and shrubland [111] Diet: Worms and other invertebrates [112] | LC
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Greater hedgehog tenrec | S. setosus (Schreber, 1778) | Madagascar | Size: 16–23 cm (6–9 in) long, plus tail [113] Habitat: Forest, savanna, shrubland, and grassland [114] Diet: Insects, grubs, other invertebrates, and fruit [113] | LC
|
Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tailless tenrec | T. ecaudatus (Schreber, 1777) | Madagascar | Size: 26–39 cm (10–15 in) long [115] Habitat: Forest, savanna, shrubland, and grassland [116] Diet: Invertebrates, as well as vegetation, fruit, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals [115] | LC
|
Sclater's golden mole 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 shrubby vegetation, temperate grassland, arable land, pastureland, rural gardens, and urban areas. This species is locally common, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being of "least concern".
The short-tailed shrew tenrec is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical and tropical dry and moist lowland forests.
Cowan's shrew tenrec is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae.
Dobson's shrew tenrec 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 basis of molecular data indicating that it and Talazac's shrew tenrec form a sister group to the rest of Microgale, these two species were transferred from Microgale to Nesogale in 2016.
Drouhard's shrew tenrec, 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 montane forests.
The dryad shrew tenrec, 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.
The pale shrew tenrec, 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 montane forests.
The gracile shrew tenrec is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
The naked-nosed 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 monaten forests.
The montane shrew tenrec is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Nasolo's shrew tenrec is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist montane and dry forests.
The greater long-tailed shrew tenrec is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar, where its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist forests.
The least shrew tenrec is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist forests, swamps, pastureland, and irrigated land.
The shrew-toothed shrew tenrec is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist forests.
The taiva shrew tenrec is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist forests.
Talazac's shrew tenrec 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 Dobson's shrew tenrec form a sister group to the rest of Microgale, these two species were transferred from Microgale to Nesogale in 2016.
Thomas's 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.
The mole-like rice tenrec, also known as the fossorial tenrec or hova rice tenrec, is a species of mammal in the tenrec family. Like all other tenrecs, it is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist forests, swamps, freshwater lakes, and irrigated or seasonally flooded agricultural land.
The northern shrew tenrec 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 the north, it is found on the southwestern slopes of the Tsaratanana Massif at elevations from 1420 to 1680 m. In central eastern Madagascar, it is found in the Ambatovy Forest. Its natural habitat is montane forest. The species is most closely related to the widely distributed M. cowani. This tenrec is threatened by deforestation from agricultural conversion, lumbering and mining.
Microgale grandidieri, also known as Grandidier's shrew tenrec, is a species of shrew tenrec occurring in the dry forests of western and southwestern Madagascar. Populations of this species were formerly included in Microgale brevicaudata; M. grandidieri was described as a separate species in 2009 based on differences in morphology and DNA sequences.