Cryptochloris zyli, Shortridge & Carter, 1938

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 : 202

20.

Van Zyl's Golden Mole

Cryptochloris zyli

French: Taupe-dorée de van Zyl / German: Van Zyl-Goldmull / Spanish: Topo dorado de van Zyl

Taxonomy. Cryptochloris zyli Shortridge & Carter, 1938 ,

Compagnies Drift, 16 km inland from Lamberts Bay, Western Cape Province, South Africa.

The species zyli was formerly considered subspecifically distinct from C. wintoni but now considered a distinct species due to consistent differences in pelage color and malleus morphology. Monotypic.

Distribution. Endemic to W South Africa, being found at two sites (Groenriviermond in Northern Cape Province and Lamberts Bay in Western Cape Province); possibly ranges N along coast to Olifants River.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 82 mm, hindfoot 12 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. Based on only three specimens, Van Zyl’s Golden Mole is very small, with short, dark lead-gray dorsal pelage; venter is similar but drab. Course guard hairs have violet metallic sheen, giving pelage sparkly appearance.

Habitat. Uncertain, but expected to occur in coastal dune belt and possibly sandy areas of Strandveld Succulent Karoo biome of the Namaqua coastal plain.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. Van Zyl’s Golden Mole is expected to be primarily nocturnal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. Van Zyl’s Golden Mole is found at only two locations (until recently, it was only known from a single location, but it was recorded from a second location near Groenriviermond in 2003) and has a small extent of occurrence (estimated to be just under 5000 km?) and small area of occupancy (estimated at only 32 km?®). Van Zyl’s Golden Mole might be severely threatened by habitat alteration from alluvial diamond mining and locally by construction of wind farms nearits type locality.

Bibliography. Bronner (2013b, 2015c¢), Bronner & Asher (2016e), Helgen & Wilson (2001), Simonetta (1968).

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)

Distribution. Endemic to W South Africa, being found at two sites (Groenriviermond in Northern Cape Province and Lamberts Bay in Western Cape Province); possibly ranges N along coast to Olifants River.