Crocidura tenuis (Muller, 1840)
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6870843 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6870162 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/3D474A54-A073-8718-FA28-A20110ABFADB |
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treatment provided by |
Felipe |
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scientific name |
Crocidura tenuis |
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Timor White-toothed Shrew
French: Crocidure de Timor / German: TimorWeil 3zahnspitzmaus / Spanish: Musarana de Timor
Other common names: Timor Shrew, Thin Shrew
Taxonomy. Sorex tenuis S. Muller, 1840 ,
Timor , Indonesia.
In 1982 P. D. Jenkins considered C. tenuis conspecific with C. fuliginosa but stated that present evidence was not sufficient to confirm this. However, R. Hutterer in 1993, M. Ruedi in 1995, and G. B. Corbet and J. E. Hill in 1992 retained it as a separate species. Jenkins in 1982 and Hutterer in 2005 listed the form macklotii as a synonym. According to Ruedi, in 1995, fuligi-
nosa is widespread over the South-east Asian mainland and lives no further south than the Cameron Highlands (Peninsular Malaysia), so well separated geographically and unlikely to be conspecific with tenuis . Collection of additional topotypical samples of tenuis would help to resolve the taxonomic issue; phylogenetic comparison is needed. Monotypic.
Distribution. Endemic to Timor I. View Figure
Descriptive notes. Head—body 78-84 mm, tail 46-50 mm, hindfoot 14-15-5 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. Based only on two specimens (one the type of “mackloti’), the description data are very scanty. According to Jenkins in 1982 both specimens have damaged skulls and are similar in all respects, except color, probably because “macklotii’ has been kept in alcohol. The specimens have short pelage (4-2 mm). The holotype of the Timor White-toothed Shrew is chocolate-brown above, paler below. Tail with short hairs, so that the scales are invisible; no longer bristle hairs
on tail, as in other, comparable species. The type of “mackloti” is light shiny brown on upperand underparts but colors probably faded due to storage in alcohol. Tail also hairy with invisible scales, but devoid of bristle hairs. Feet brown. According to Corbet and Hill in 1992 the species resembles the South-east Asian White-toothed Shrew ( C. fuliginosa ) in size, robust teeth and short tail, but lacks caudal vibrissae (as does in the Oriental White-toothed Shrew, C. orientalis ).
Habitat. Thought to be found in primary mossy and montane forest. It is not known, whether it is adapted to secondary habitats outside forest. known elevational range 200-3000 m.
Food and Feeding. No information.
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 in view of uncertainties regarding its taxonomy, ecology, and occurrence. Known only from two localities, but could occur more widely on the island, especially on higher elevations. Specific surveys of shrews on this island failed to find it, whereas the smaller Javan White-toothed Shrew ( C. maxi ) appeared relatively common. Threats to the Timor White-toothed Shrew species are unknown. If it is dependent on forest, then threats, especially in the lowlands, would include forest clearing, conversion to agriculture and human-induced fires. Forest on Timor is now restricted to small patches It is not known whether this species is present in any protected areas. Further studies are needed on the taxonomy, distribution, abundance, natural history and threats to this species.
Bibliography. Corbet & Hill (1992), Gerrie & Kennerley (2016h), Hutterer (1993, 2005b), Jenkins (1982), Jentink (1888), Kitchener et al. (1994), Mller (1840), Ruedi (1995).
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.
