Crocidura canariensis, Hutterer, Lopez-Jurado & Vogel, 1987
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6870843 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6870283 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/3D474A54-A047-8734-FA0D-A1AA1775F8BA |
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treatment provided by |
Felipe |
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scientific name |
Crocidura canariensis |
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Canarian White-toothed Shrew
Crocidura canariensis View in CoL
French: Crocidure des Canaries / German: Kanaren-Spitzmaus / Spanish: Musarana de Canaria
Other common names: Canarian Shrew, Canary Shrew
Taxonomy. Crocidura canariensis Hutterer, Lopez-Jurado & Vogel, 1987 View in CoL ,
Tiscamanita , Fuerteventura , Canary Islands, Spain.
Has been suggested as merely a subspecies of C. sicula based on mandibular measurements, but morphological, ecological, paleontological, and molecular data support its status as a separate species; the genetic distance between this species and, stcula suggests separation ¢.5 million years ago, which is more than sufficient
to maintain its specific status. However, they do seem to be closely related, as they have extremely similar karyotypes, which are also very similar to the chromosomes of
C. tarfayensis of North Africa, suggesting that C. tarfayensis may be descended from a continental species that is the ancestor of both C. sicula and C. canariensis . Monotypic.
Distribution. Lanzarote, including Chinijo Archipelago (Lobos and Montana Clara Is) and Fuerteventura in the E Canary Is. View Figure
Descriptive notes. Head-body 54-74 mm,tail 31-48 mm, hindfoot 12-14 mm; weight 4-12 g. The Canarian White-toothed Shrew is a small species with relatively large ears. Pelage is variable between islands, dorsal pelage ranging from dark grayish brown to chocolate brown; the ventrum is generally also dark but is somewhat lighter than the dorsum; ears and limbs are lighter in color than the rest of the dorsal pelage. Foreclaws are relatively enlarged compared to other species of Crocidura . Tail is relatively long, covered in longerbristle hairs throughout, and slightly bicolored grayish brown. The fourth upper premolar has a small and coalescent parastyle; there are three unicuspids. Chromosomal complementis 2n = 36, FN = 56.
Habitat. Found primarily in the characteristic barren lava fields (malpais), the species is highly adapted to hot and dry conditions in plains. The Canarian White-toothed Shrew is occasionally found in gardens and around abandoned agricultural land near the lava fields, and in rocky gullies and sandy areas with rocks and vegetation. Also coastal sand dunes on Montana Clara.
Food and Feeding. The Canarian White-toothed Shrew feeds on snails and insects in lava tubes and has also been observed feeding on Atlantic lizards (Gallotia atlantica). It is apparently able to immobilize its lizard prey by just biting it, indicating that it probably has a weak venom in its saliva as in other venomous shrews (e.g. Blarina and Neomys ).
Breeding. No information.
Activity patterns. Canarian White-toothed Shrews are terrestrial.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Canarian White-toothed Shrew usesits tunnels to stay cool during the hot, dry days. It makes faint, high-pitched defense calls, which are of lower intensity than in other shrews.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. Listed on Appendix II of the Bern Convention and Annex IV of the EU Habitats Directive, and also protected under Spanish law. The Canarian White-toothed Shrew is found within a number of protected areas on Fuerteventura. The species seems to be most threatened by habitat loss and the numerous species introduced to the islands, including feral cats. The Canarian White-toothed Shrew is the last surviving terrestrial mammal native to the Canary Islands, all of others ( Malpaisomys , Canariomys ) having become extinct. Fossils and skeletons from owl pellets have been recorded from Alegranza and Graciosa, but the species is presumed extinct on these islands since no living animals have been collected from them.
Bibliography. Hutterer (1999, 2008d), Hutterer & Lépez-Jurado (1990), Hutterer, Lopez-Jurado & Vogel (1987), Hutterer, Maddalena & Molina (1992) , Lépez-Jurado & Mateo (1996), Sara (1995, 1996), Vogel et al. (2003).
No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.
