Huetia tytonis (Simonetta, 1968)

Russell A. Mittermeier & Don E. Wilson, 2018, Chrysochloridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 8 Insectivores, Sloths and Colugos, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 180-203 : 198

8.

Somali Golden Mole

Huetia tytonis

French: Taupe-dorée de Somalie / German: Somalia-Goldmull / Spanish: Topo dorado de Somalia

Taxonomy. Amblysomus tytonis Simonetta, 1968 ,

Giohar, southern Somalia.

Taxonomic placement of tytonis is uncertain (incertae sedis). It was previously assigned to Amblysomus , Chlorotalpa , and Calcochloris but here included in Huetia because cladistic analyses of the few characteristics available suggest that it is more closely related to H. leucorhina . It is known only from a partially complete specimen in an owl pellet.

Monotypic.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality in S Somalia, with no subsequent records, although this might reflect a lack of sampling.

Descriptive notes. There is no information available for this species, except the presence of M”.

Habitat. Dense bushland and thicket, and savanna of the Somali Peninsula.

Food and Feeding. There is no specific information available for this species, but the Somali Golden Mole is probably primarily insectivorous.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. No information.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List (as Calcochloris tytonas).

Bibliography. Bronner (2013b), Maree (2015b), Meester (1974), Simonetta (1968).

Figures

0. Yellow Golden Mole (Calcochloris obtusirostris), 1. Hottentot Golden Mole (Amblysomus hottentotus), 2. Robust Golden Mole (Amblysomus robustus), 3. Highveld Golden Mole (Amblysomus septentrionalis), 4. Marley’s Golden Mole (Amblysomus marleyi), 5. Fynbos Golden Mole (Amblysomus corriae), 7. Congo Golden Mole (Huetia leucorhina), 8. Somali Golden Mole (Huetia tytonis), 9. Gunning’s Golden Mole (Neamblysomus gunningi), 10. Juliana’s Golden Mole (Neamblysomus julianae), 11. Arend’s Golden Mole (Carpitalpa arendsi), 12. Sclater’s Golden Mole (Chlorotalpa sclateri), 13. Duthie’s Golden Mole (Chlorotalpa duthieae), 14. Stuhlmann’s Golden Mole (Chrysochloris stuhlmanni), 15. Cape Golden Mole (Chrysochloris asiatica), 16. Visagie’s Golden Mole (Chrysochloris visagier), 17. Rough-haired Golden Mole (Chrysospalax villosa), 18. Giant Golden Mole (Chrysospalax trevelyani), 19. De Winton’s Golden Mole (Cryptochloris wintoni), 20. Van Zyl's Golden Mole (Cryptochloris zyli), 21. Grant's Golden Mole (Eremitalpa grant)

Distribution. Known only from the type locality in S Somalia, with no subsequent records, although this might reflect a lack of sampling.