Madagascan pygmy shrew
Species of mammal
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Madagascan pygmy shrew (Suncus madagascariensis) is a species of mammal in the family Soricidae.[2] It is the only known Malagasy shrew.[1]
| Madagascan pygmy shrew | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Eulipotyphla |
| Family: | Soricidae |
| Genus: | Suncus |
| Species: | S. madagascariensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Suncus madagascariensis (Coquerel, 1848) | |
 | |
| Madagascan pygmy shrew range | |
 | |
| Madagascan pygmy shrew range in Madagascar | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Suncus etruscus (Savi, 1822) | |
Taxonomy
Some taxonomists regard it as conspecific with the widely distributed Etruscan shrew, the smallest known mammal by mass,[1][2] and likely to have been introduced to Madagascar from India or Southeast Asia by humans.[3] It is found in Madagascar and the Comoros, at altitudes from sea level to 1500 m.[1]
Distribution and habitat
Diet and behaviour
It is presumed to be solitary, nocturnal and insectivorous, like its relatives.[1] The litter size is one or two.[1] It is threatened by logging and other forms of deforestation.[1]
