Podogymnura truei

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Podogymnura truei
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Eulipotyphla
Family: Erinaceidae
Genus: Podogymnura
Species:
P. truei
Binomial name
Podogymnura truei
Mearns, 1905
Range Podogymnura truei.png

Podogymnura truei, also known as the Mindanao gymnure, Mindanao moonrat, or Mindanao wood shrew, is a mammal of the family Erinaceidae. [2] It is endemic to the Mindanao islands of the Philippines. [1] Erinaceidae is a family of small mammals that include the gymnures, also known as the silky furred moonrats, and the hedgehogs. Animals belonging to this family are significant because they are among the oldest known placental mammals that are alive. [3] Gymnures are relatives of hedgehogs but lack the prickly spines. Four species are categorized in the genus Podogymnura : P. aureospinula , P. intermedia , P. minima , and P. truei. [4] All share a close resemblance to the moonrat Echinosorex gymnura , which is commonly found on the Borneo, Sumatra, and the Malay Peninsulas. [5]

Contents

Description

Podogymnura truei, which are endothermic species, are medium-sized ground dwellers that typically range from 130 to 150 mm in body length. Their body is narrow, which may have been an adaptation for burrowing through narrow crevices and have bilateral symmetry. These mammals also have long soft fur that is typically gray mixed with coarser reddish brown hairs on the dorsal side. On the ventral side the hairs have a grayish white tone with some brown mixed in. Long whiskers protrude out of a long snout, which allows for exceptional tactile sensation. Similar to other mammals, chemical cues and sense of smell are used extensively for survival. The face is commonly spotted with black stripes or spots near the eyes. A sturdy tail, which is typically about 40-70mm long, is covered moderately with hair. Underneath the hair, the skin displays a yellowish-brown, and purple coloration. At the hind legs, the fur is less prominent and the skin displays a naked peach tone. The hind foot is usually 31 to 37 mm. [6] They have a well-developed anal gland that produces and secretes an unpleasant odor to deter predators away. This scent is pungent, often described as a rancid onion or garlic smell. [7] Females are typically larger than males. Overall, the Mindanao gymnure is smaller than P. aureospinula. Podogymnura are closely related to Echinosorex in that they share similar dental and cranial characteristics, well-developed canine teeth, and a long rostrum. However, unlike Echinosorex, Podogymnura has less prominent sagittal, temporal, and nuchal crests, and is smaller with a shorter tail. [8]

Diet and behavior

Since Podogymnura truei are ground dwellers, their typical diet includes earthworms, insects, and arthropods. [9] Although primarily carnivorous, they will occasionally eat fungi and fruit. P. truei are nocturnal or crepuscular, which means that they remain in their burrows during the day, but come out to forage by searching the forest floor at twilight or night. Foraging with little visibility requires their sense of smell to be their primary sense. They exhibit more similar behaviors to that of the elusive shrews than their spiky relatives. P. truei move faster but are not as efficient at digging as hedgehogs. They are also territorial and live in solitude, with exception to breeding season. In order to mark their territory or to deter predators, they will release a strong odor, typically described as a rancid onion or garlic smell. [7]

Reproduction and life span

Mindanao moonrats hold onto territories and usually live in solitude with exception to breeding seasons. [10] Breeding typically occurs with two litters annually. Average litter size is two offspring with an average gestation period of about 35–40 days. After giving birth, females will nurse and care for their young until the offspring is weaned. [9] On average, the life span of the Mindanao moonrat is about 55 months.

Habitat and ecology

Podogymnura truei is endemic to the Philippine island of Mindanao. Within the Mindanao island, it is only found in the provinces Davao Norte, Bukidnon, and Davao del Sur, which all contain mountainous forests. Podogymnura truei prefer areas that are damp and are frequently found near standing bodies of water. They are found in abundance in the mossy forests (2000 to 2900 m), but are also dispersed among mountains and primary forests (1300 to 2000 m). Other areas of habitation include dense vegetation on the edges of streams, in thick moss-covered roots, underneath grass beds at the edge of a lake, by logs in dense fern undergrowth, among tangled tree roots, by tree trunks that have been hollowed out, and near boulders in densely fern covered valleys. Their habitats are similar to true shrews. [6] The Mindanao moonrat helps with the highland ecosystems of Mindanao by regulating insect populations.

Major threats

The potential major threat to the Mindanao moonrat population is habitat destruction. The Mindanao island is currently affected by slash and burn agriculture, forest degradation, and logging. Habitat destruction is most prominent in low level forests, which could be a problem for the Mindanao moonrat if this destruction escalates to the highland regions. However, since they primarily reside in high elevation forests, current populations are estimated to be stable. [9] Although the population is currently stable, the fate of Mindanao moonrat is directly linked to the survival of the forests of Mindanao. According to Ridge and Reefs biodiversity report, Mindanao has a lush geographical profile. It is the 2nd largest island and has 4 out of 6 mountain ranges that reach altitudes greater than 9000 ft. The forest cover is about 30,960 km2, which is approximately 24% of the total land area. The islands two marshlands include Ligawasan Marsh and the Agusan Marsh. Both contain a wide spectrum of ecological diversity and vegetation types. Mindanao is the most diverse island in the Philippines. [11] Unfortunately, the forest has already been reduced by 29 percent due to the effects of slash and burn agriculture and logging. The remainder of the forest continues to be destroyed and degraded through several means. First of all, primary forests are being cut down and replaced with exotic trees for the paper industry. Illegal logging is being practiced even within areas that are supposed to be protected. [8] Habitat deforestation could affect the moonrats if forest degradation continues to affect areas of higher elevation. For now, about 80% of its habitat is still in its original condition, with no human threats to the species because of its low commercial value. [12]

Conservation

According to the IUCN Red List, Podogymnura truei are under the category of least concern. [1] However, this status could elevate to the next level if habitat destruction continues to escalate. [8] The best way to prevent this species from becoming endangered and to maintain its current status is through conserving its habitat. There are other efforts being made to optimize biodiversity and promote habitat conservation. Currently, national environmental laws in the Philippines are embodied in the following: international doctrines and principles, administrative orders, judicial decisions, local ordinances, republic acts, executive orders, and the 1987 Philippine Constitution. [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gymnure</span> Subfamily of mammals

Gymnures, also called hairy hedgehogs or moonrats, are mammals belonging to the subfamily Galericinae, in the family Erinaceidae and the order Eulipotyphla. Gymnures resemble rats but are not closely related as they are not rodents; they are instead closely related to hedgehogs, which also belong to Erinaceidae. They are thought to have appeared in Eastern Asia before their closest relatives, and changed little from the original ancestor, which is thought to have been also the ancestor of the shrews.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erinaceidae</span> Family of mammals

Erinaceidae is a family in the order Eulipotyphla, consisting of the hedgehogs and moonrats. Until recently, it was assigned to the order Erinaceomorpha, which has been subsumed with the paraphyletic Soricomorpha into Eulipotyphla. Eulipotyphla has been shown to be monophyletic; Soricomorpha is paraphyletic because Soricidae shared a more recent common ancestor with Erinaceidae than with other soricomorphs.

<i>Apomys</i> Genus of rodents

Apomys, commonly known as earthworm mice, is a genus of rodent endemic to the Philippines. Mice belonging to this genus are generally called Philippine forest mice and can be found on most islands of the Philippines except in Palawan, the Sulu Archipelago, and the Batanes and Babuyan group of islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moonrat</span> Species of mammal in the Erinaceidae family

The moonrat is a southeast Asian species of mammal in the family Erinaceidae. It is the only species in the genus Echinosorex. The moonrat is a fairly small, primarily carnivorous animal which, despite its name, is not closely related to rats or other rodents. The scientific name is sometimes given as Echinosorex gymnurus, but this is incorrect.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philippine deer</span> Species of deer

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cloud rat</span> Tribe of mammals

The cloud rats or cloudrunners are a tribe (Phloeomyini) of arboreal and nocturnal herbivorous rodents endemic to the cloud forests of the Philippines. They belong to the family Muridae and include five genera: Batomys, Carpomys, Crateromys, Musseromys, and Phloeomys. They range in size from as large as 50 cm (20 in) to as small as 74 mm (2.9 in). Cloud rats are threatened by habitat loss and illegal hunting. Several species are endangered or critically endangered.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camiguin forest mouse</span> Species of rodent

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shrewlike rat</span> Genus of rodents

The shrewlike rats, genus Rhynchomys, also known as the tweezer-beaked rats are a group of unusual Old World rats found only on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. They look a great deal like shrews and are an example of convergent evolution. Shrewlike rats evolved to be vermivores (worm-eaters) and insectivores feeding on soft-bodied invertebrates associated with leaf litter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shrew gymnure</span> Species of mammal

The shrew gymnure, or shrew hedgehog, is a species of mammal in the family Erinaceidae and is the only extant species in the genus Neotetracus. It is found in China, Myanmar, and Vietnam.

Podogymnura is a genus of mammal in the family Erinaceidae. It contains the following species:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mindanao pygmy fruit bat</span> Species of bat

The Mindanao pygmy fruit bat is a species of megabat in the family Pteropodidae. It is the only species within the genus Alionycteris. It is endemic to the Philippines. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests at high elevations that are either scarce or overtaken by tourist hotspots. As a result, this species may be seeking new elevated habitats likely in the southern region of the Philippines and along the islands of Sulawesi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katanglad shrew-mouse</span> Species of rodent

The Katanglad shrew-mouse, also known as the Kitanglad shrew-mouse is a species of rodent in the family Muridae. It is known only from one specimen taken at 2250 m on Mount Kitanglad, Bukidnon Province, Philippines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalinga shrew mouse</span> Species of rodent

The Kalinga shrew mouse is a rodent of the genus Soricomys found in the northern province of Kalinga, island of Luzon, in the northern Philippines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Long-eared gymnure</span> Species of mammal

The long-eared gymnure is a eulipotyphlan that is found in Laos. This specific type of gymnure has long ears and a long skull compared to that of others. It is also recognized for its broad forefeet, stout claws, and naked hindfeet.

<i>Rafflesia verrucosa</i> Species of plant

Rafflesia verrucosa was first identified and characterized during a small mammal survey of Mt. Kampalili in eastern Mindanao in 2010. R. verrucosa is the tenth species of Rafflesia found in the Philippines. Rafflesia species have rare and unusual flowers known for their large size and pungent smell. Some plant enthusiasts like Frits W. Went have gone to extreme measures to see these plants in bloom. Went detailed his search for Rafflesia saying,

"I had heard, when I was in Java many years ago, that Rafflesia were to be found on an offshore island named Nusah Kembangan. This was in 1929, when it was a penal colony for major criminals. My driver on this occasion was a convicted murderer, and my guide was serving time for cannibalism."

<i>Soricomys</i> Genus of rodents

Soricomys, the shrew-mice, are a genus of rodents in the family Muridae. They are carnivores that feed on invertebrates much like shrews do. An apparently smaller relatives of the true shrew-rats Chrotomys and Rhynchomys, Soricomys are somewhat convergent to the more distantly related Crunomys.

Lawrence Richard Heaney is an American mammalogist, ecologist and biogeographer. His research focus is the mammals of the Philippines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mindanao montane rain forests</span> Ecoregion in Mindanao, the Philippines

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The eastern Mindanao gymnure is a species of gymnure in the genus Podogymnura. It is known only from Mount Hamiguitan and Mount Kampalili, two mountains in the eastern part of the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. It was first named in 2023 by a team of researchers led by Danilo Balete.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Heaney, L.; Balete, D.; Tabao, M. (2016). "Podogymnura truei". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T17828A22326078. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T17828A22326078.en . Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  2. ↑ Hutterer, R. (2005). "Order Erinaceomorpha". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 219. ISBN   978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC   62265494.
  3. ↑ He, K.; Chen, J-H.; Gould, GC; Yamaguchi, N.; Ai, H-S (2012). "An Estimation of Erinaceidae Phylogeny: A Combined Analysis Approach". PLOS ONE. 7 (6): e39304. Bibcode:2012PLoSO...739304H. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0039304 . PMC   3380021 . PMID   22745729.
  4. ↑ Balete, Danilo S.; Heaney, Lawrence Richard; Rickart, Eric A.; Quidlat, Roselyn S.; Rowsey, Dakota M.; Olson, Link E. (2023-01-13). "A re-assessment of diversity among Philippine gymnures (Mammalia: Erinaceidae: Podogymnura), with a new species from eastern Mindanao". Zootaxa. 5228 (3): 244–266. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.5228.3.2.
  5. ↑ Stone, D. "Eurasion Insectivores and Tree Shrews: Status, Survey and Conservation Action Plan". Tree Shrew and Elephant Shrew Specialist Group. Retrieved Sep 30, 2014.
  6. 1 2 Heaney, Lawrence; Rabor, Dioscoro (1982). "Mammals of Dinagat and Siargao Islands, Philippines" (PDF). Occasional Papers of the Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan. 699: 1–28. Retrieved Sep 29, 2014.
  7. 1 2 Rondinini, C. (2006). "Hedgehogs and Moonrats". In David W. Macdonald (ed.). The Encyclopedia of Mammals. Oxford University Press.
  8. 1 2 3 Nowak, R.M. (1991). Walker's Mammals of the World (5 ed.). Baltimore and London: The Johns Hopkins University Press. Archived from the original on 2014-12-11. Retrieved Oct 4, 2014.
  9. 1 2 3 Heaney, Lawrence (2011-01-12). "A Synopsis of the Mammalian Fauna of the Philippine Islands". USA: Field Museum of Natural History. Retrieved Sep 29, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Gymnure". Thai National Parks. Retrieved Oct 4, 2014.
  11. ↑ Overview on the Status, Issues, and Concerns on Biodiversity Conservation in the Philippines. Los Baños: Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA). 2011. pp. 5–10 and 40–42.
  12. ↑ Heaney, L.R.; Tabaranza Jr., B.; Rickart, A.E.; Balete, S.D.; Ingle, R.N. (2006). "The mammals of Mt. Kitanglad Nature Park, Mindanao, Philippines". Fieldiana Zoology. 112: 1–63. doi: 10.5962/bhl.title.3395 .
  13. ↑ Ong, Perry; Afuang, Leticia; Rosell-Ambat, Ruth, eds. (2002). Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Priorities. Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau. pp. 2–6, 16, and 22–24. Retrieved Sep 30, 2014.
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