Chlorotalpa sclateri (Broom, 1907)

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 : 200

12.

Sclater’s Golden Mole

Chlorotalpa sclateri

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

Taxonomy. Chrysochloris sclateri Broom, 1907 ,

Matjiesvlei, Beaufort West, Western Cape Province, South Africa.

Although C. sclateri is considered subspecifically distinct from C. duthieae by some authors, it is now considered a distinct species due to consistent differences in pelage color, chromosomal properties, malleus morphology, and habitat selection. Four subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

C.s.sclateriBroom,1907—fromBeaufortWestEalongKoueveldbergeandSneeubergetoGraaff-Reinet,WesternandEasternCapeprovinces,SSouthAfrica.

C.s.guwillarmodiRoberts,1936—fromextremeEFreeStateandSWKwaZulu-NatalSthroughLesothotoCEasternCapeProvince,SouthAfrica.

C.s.montanaRoberts,1924—knownonlyfromthetypelocalitynearWakkerstroom,MpumalangaProvince,ESouthAfrica.

C. s. shortridgei Broom, 1950 — known only from the type locality in Sutherland, Northern Cape Province, W South Africa.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 83-135 mm (males) and 82-123 mm (females), hindfoot 10-16 mm (males) and 9-13 mm (females); weight 22-54 g (males) and 22-48 g (females). There is no clear sexual dimorphism, although males are slightly larger than females on average. Sclater’s Golden Mole is small and stocky. Dorsum is glossy reddish brown, with darker midline; venter is dull grayish, with rufous tinge. Lips and cheeks are creamy yellow. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 30 and FN = 60.

Habitat. Karoo and grasslands habitats, restricted to high-elevation grasslands, scrub, and forested gorges. Sclater’s Golden Mole mostly occurs in light sandy soils due to weak digging claws but can use slightly heavier soils after rain.

Food and Feeding. Sclater’s Golden Mole eats mostly insect larvae and earthworms, foraging in subsurface tunnels extending out from nesting areas.

Breeding. Pregnant Sclater’s Golden Moles were recorded in December—January. Litter size is two, and young are born in grass-lined nests.

Activity patterns. Sclater’s Golden Moles are mostly nocturnal, but they can be active during the day for short periods after rain.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Sclater’s Golden Mole is active in shallow subsurface tunnels that radiate from nesting chambers located under rocks or trees. Adults are solitary.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Sclater’s Golden Mole is relatively widespread, is adaptable to areas transformed by human activities, and occurs in mountainous areas where human impacts are unlikely to be great. It faces no major conservation threats.

Bibliography. Bronner (1995b, 2013b), Bronner & Bennett (2016a).

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)

Subspecies and Distribution. C.s.sclateriBroom,1907—fromBeaufortWestEalongKoueveldbergeandSneeubergetoGraaff-Reinet,WesternandEasternCapeprovinces,SSouthAfrica. C.s.guwillarmodiRoberts,1936—fromextremeEFreeStateandSWKwaZulu-NatalSthroughLesothotoCEasternCapeProvince,SouthAfrica. C.s.montanaRoberts,1924—knownonlyfromthetypelocalitynearWakkerstroom,MpumalangaProvince,ESouthAfrica. C. s. shortridgei Broom, 1950 — known only from the type locality in Sutherland, Northern Cape Province, W South Africa.