Elephantulus intufi (A. Smith, 1836)

Russell A. Mittermeier & Don E. Wilson, 2018, Macroscelididae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 8 Insectivores, Sloths and Colugos, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 206-234 : 232-233

16.

Bushveld Sengi

Elephantulus intufi

French: Sengi du bushveld / German: Trockenland-Elefantenspitzmaus / Spanish: Sengi de Bushveld

Other common names: Bushveld Elephant-shrew

Taxonomy. Macroscelides intufi A. Smith, 1836 ,

“ Flats beyond Kurrichane ,” Marico District, North West Province, South Africa.

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. SW Angola, Namibia, Botswana, N & NE South Africa, and extreme S Zimbabwe.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 116-123 mm, tail 102-131 mm, ear 22-26 mm, hindfoot 32-39 mm; weight 34-62 g. Female Bushveld Sengis can be slightly larger than males, but there is no substantial sexual dimorphism in body size. Tailis relatively long at c.105% of head-body length. Pinnae are broad and upright, and snout is long,thin, and flexible. Dorsum is gray, with yellow-buff hair tips. Some dorsal hairs, especially on

rump, have black tips, giving overall grizzled appearance. Pelage of dorsal head and face is similar in color to dorsal body. Lateral fur is paler, and venter is graywhite to off-white. Behind each ear, distinctive patch of yellow-buff hair extends onto nape of neck. Long white hairs grow along anterior margin of each pinna. Distinctive white eye-ring is present, without intruding post-ocular patch. Hairs on dorsal tail are white, with black tips yielding speckled appearance. Ventral tail hairs are off-white. There is no tail tuft. Skin of plantar pesis pale brown and hairless. Individuals from the southern distribution tend to be paler than those from the north (e.g. northern Namibia and south-western Angola). Five digits are present on each manus and pes. Pectoral gland is absent, and subcaudal gland is present (but can be only slightly developed). Females have two anterior, two intermediate, and two posterior nipples; males have no nipples. Dental formulais13/3,C1/1,P4/4,M 2/2 (x2) = 40. Canine sizes are subequal to adjacent teeth. Several bilateral pairs of palatal foramina are present. Postorbital processes are absent. Karyotype is 2n = 26.

Habitat. Very arid woodlands and bushlands with open canopies, predominantly low shrubs and scrub with some scattered grasses, and compact sandy soils. Bushveld Sengis shelter at bases of bushes, among rocks, and occasionally in abandoned rodent burrows.

Food and Feeding. Insects, predominantly ants and termites, are the principal diet of the Bushveld Sengi. Other small invertebrates and small quantities of plant material are eaten. A study in the southern Kalahari estimated a diet of ¢.87% insects, c.12% herbage, and negligible proportions of seeds.

Breeding. The Bushveld Sengi is monogamous, and pairs mate for life. In Namibia, breeding occurs nearly year-round. In more southern localities, reproduction can be seasonal, with births more frequently occurring in warm and wet months (August March). Females can produce up to eight ova per ovary per cycle, but limited uterus implantation sites constrain litter size. Litters have 1-2 young. At parturition, newborns are highly precocial. Mothers visit young perhaps only once a day to nurse them. There is no direct paternal care of young. No species of soft-furred sengis use nests to shelter or for rearing their young.

Activity patterns. Bushveld Sengis are fully terrestrial. Activity is polycyclic, with crepuscular peaks and some nocturnal tendencies. Midday activity is least frequent.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Home ranges of monogamous pairs overlap, but combined area does not overlap home ranges of neighboring pairs. One study found that average home ranges were c.0-5 ha for males and c.0-3 ha for females. Individuals in a pair shelter separately and infrequently interact. Males can engage territorial defense. Monogamous mating system is probably a mate-guarding strategy. Trail systems are actively maintained by sweeping aside debris with forelimbs.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Bushveld Sengi is widespread, but its population trend is unknown.

Bibliography. Corbet & Hanks (1968), Evans (1942), Kerley et al. (1990), Olbricht & Stanley (2009), Perrin & Rathbun (2013d), Rathbun (2009, 2015b), Rathbun & Rathbun (2006), Skinner & Smithers (1990), Tolliver et al. (1989), Tripp (1971, 1972).

Figures

1. Golden-rumped Seng (Rhynchocyon chrysopygus), 2. Chequered Sengi (Rhynchocyon cirne), 3. White-tailed Sengi (Rhynchocyon stuhlmanni), 4. Black-and-rufous Sengi (Rhynchocyon petersi), 5. Gray-faced Sengi (Rhynchocyon udzungwensis), 6. Namib Round-eared Sengi (Macroscelides flavicaudatus), 7. Karoo Round-eared Sengi (Macroscelides proboscideus), 8. Etendeka Round-eared Sengi (Macroscelides micus), 9. Four-toed Sengi (Petrodromus tetradactylus), 10. North African Sengi (Petrosaltator rozeti), 11. Rufous Sengi (Elephantulus rufescens), 12. Somali Sengi (Elephantulus revoulii), 13. Dusky-footed Sengi (Elephantulus fuscipes), 14. Short-snouted Sengi (Elephantulus brachyrhynchus), 15. Dusky Sengi (Elephantulus fuscus), 16. Bushveld Sengi (Elephantulus intufi), 17. Western Rock Sengi (Elephantulus rupestris), 18. Eastern Rock Sengi (Elephantulus mywrus), 19. Cape Rock Sengi (Elephantulus edwardii), 20. Karoo Rock Sengi (Elephantulus pilicaudus)

Distribution. SW Angola, Namibia, Botswana, N & NE South Africa, and extreme S Zimbabwe.