Large-eared tenrec

Large-eared tenrec[1]
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[2]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Afrosoricida
Suborder:	Tenrecomorpha
Family:	Tenrecidae
Subfamily:	Geogalinae
Genus:	Geogale A. Milne-Edwards & A. Grandidier, 1872
Species:	G. aurita
Binomial name
Geogale aurita A. Milne-Edwards & A. Grandidier, 1872
Large-eared tenrec range

The large-eared tenrec (Geogale aurita) is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is the only species in the monotypic genus Geogale, and the only member of the subfamily Geogalinae.^[1] It is endemic to Madagascar where its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and shrubland. It is threatened by habitat loss, but to a lesser extent than was previously thought and is listed by the IUCN as being of "Least Concern".

Geogale is thought to have split from the ancestors of its sister clade, the subfamily Oryzorictinae, about 30 million years ago.^[3]

Description

The large-eared tenrec is a small shrew-like animal with short, soft fur, a long hairy tail and large projecting ears. Adults weigh between 5 and 8 grams (0.18 and 0.28 oz) and measure 60 to 75 millimetres (2.4 to 3.0 in) in length, with a tail half as long again. The dorsal (upper) surface is greyish brown or reddish brown and the ventral (under) surface is buffish white.^[4] The large-eared tenrec differs from other tenrecs in the family by having 34 teeth instead of 36. It is also unique within the family in that females come into oestrus while they are lactating and so are able to be carrying one litter while still feeding another.^[4]

Behaviour

The large-eared tenrec feeds on insects, particularly termites which it locates by sound. It is itself preyed on by several predators including the barn owl (Tyto alba), the Madagascar owl (Asio madagascariensis), the Malagasy cat-eye snake (Madagascarophis colubrinus) and the narrow-striped mongoose (Mungotictis decemlineata).^[4]

The large-eared tenrec has a low metabolic rate and is heterothermic. This means that its body temperature fluctuates with the surrounding environment, although pregnant and lactating females may maintain a more steady, higher temperature.^[4] The animals are often torpid in the heat of the day, hiding in concealed locations such as hollow logs or holes.^[4] Reproduction has been little studied in this species, but the breeding season is between September and March. It is known that development can be arrested temporarily and the gestation period may vary between about 54 and 69 days. A litter consists of up to five blind, deaf and helpless young and these are weaned when between 21 and 33 days old, soon after their eyes have opened.^[4]

Status

The large-eared tenrec is listed by the IUCN in its Red List of Threatened Species as being of "Least Concern". The population trend is unknown and although this tenrec has been recorded in various scattered areas of Madagascar, it is a small, inconspicuous animal and is likely to also be present in intervening locations. It had been thought to be restricted to dry deciduous forest but it has now also been found in grassland and is probably more resilient to disturbed habitat than had previously been realised. Some of the areas in which it occurs are in national parks and nature reserves.^[2]

See also

• Convergent evolution
• List of mammals of Madagascar

References

1. Bronner, G.N.; Jenkins, P.D. (2005). "Order Afrosoricida". 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. 72. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
2. Stephenson, P.J.; Soarimalala, V.; Goodman, S. (2016). "Geogale aurita". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T9048A97188944. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T9048A97188944.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
3. Everson, K. M.; Soarimalala, V.; Goodman, S. M.; Olson, L. E. (2016). "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): 890–909. doi:10.1093/sysbio/syw034. PMID 27103169.
4. Nielsen, Thomas (2005). "Geogale aurita". Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan. Retrieved 2013-09-28.