Crocidura maxi, Sody, 1936
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6870843 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6870164 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/3D474A54-A074-8718-FFF6-AE211B4AFD5E |
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treatment provided by |
Felipe |
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scientific name |
Crocidura maxi |
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Javan White-toothed Shrew
French: Crocidure de Max / German: Java-Weil 3zahnspitzmaus / Spanish: Musarana de Java
Other common names: Max's Shrew, Sunda Shrew
Taxonomy. Crocidura maxi Sody, 1936 View in CoL ,
East Besuki, East Java, Indonesia.
Due to a paucity of museum reference material and overall similar morphology, suggested to be only a subspecies of C. monticola , but new evidence demonstrates that the species differ significantly at multiple DNA markers. Their uncorrected genetic distance measured for the cytochrome-b gene is 15%, which is well beyond the average value for sister species in mammals.
Genetic variation measured with allozyme loci across the Lesser Sunda populations indicates relatively low differentiation but significant heterozygosity, suggesting that these insular populations are of ancient origin, not founded recently by a few immigrant individuals. Morphologically similar, but genetically distinct C. uwmbra from western Java erroneously referred to C. maxi but the latter is now restricted to central and eastern Java and the Lesser Sundas. Monotypic.
Distribution. C & E Java and Lesser Sunda Is (Bali, Sumbawa, Komodo, Sumba, Flores, Alor, Timor, and Roti); also on Ambon (Moluccas), Kai Besar (Kai Is), and Wokam (Aru Is). The only extant shrew distributed on the Sahul Shelf but it is unclear whether its marginal occurrence is natural or was aided by passive human transportation. View Figure
Descriptive notes. Head-body 54-75 mm, tail 44-53 mm, ear 5-5-9-6 mm, hindfoot 12-14 mm; weight 4-3-6-9 g. Populations on Flores and Alor are slightly larger and dimorphic, males being larger than females. Distinguished from the small-bodied but allopatric Javan Ghost White-toothed Shrew by gray dorsal and much paler (whitish) ventral pelage, but otherwise similar in external and skull proportions. The Sunda White-toothed Shrew ( C. monticola ) is smaller, especially for skull dimensions, while all other shrews from Java are larger than the Javan White-toothed Shrew. The Javan White-toothed Shrew and the Sunda White-toothed Shrew occur sympatrically in East Java (Mount Ijen) without any signs of interbreeding. Tail slightly shorter than head-body length, hairy, with dense applied hairs hiding scales, and long bristles present along its proximal half. Skull dimensions larger than those of the Sunda Whitetoothed Shrew, but similar to the allopatrically distributed Javan Ghost White-toothed Shrew. Other, potentially sympatric Crocidura shrews distributed in East Java and the Lesser Sundas are all much larger.
Habitat. Altitudinal range 1000-1440 m in Java; from sea level to lower montane forests at 1300 m in the Lesser Sundas. The Javan White-toothed Shrew occurs in a wide range of habitats from grassland and, gardens to lowland riparian or gully rainforest.
Food and Feeding. Javan White-toothed Shrews feed on invertebrates but no precise data are available.
Breeding. On Flores, one nest made of Imperata cylindrica ( Poaceae ) grass contained a family group, with a pair of adults and two young, suggesting that both parents may contribute in raising the family. In the Lesser Sundas several females collected from March through to May were pregnant (1-3 fetuses) or lactating. Further east, pregnant females were also captured in October, suggesting an extended breeding time coinciding with the rainy season. No data are available forJavan populations.
Activity patterns. Javan White-toothed Shrews have been found on the ground, under logs.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.
Status and Conservation. Considered of Least concern on The IUCN Red List in view of its occurrence in primary forests but also in more disturbed habitats, including gardens, and its widespread distribution. Current status of populations living in the lowlands unknown, butlikely to be negatively affected by widespread deforestation and other anthropogenic changes in the region. Populations living at higher elevations— e.g. on Mount [jen or on Flores—are probably less vulnerable to human interference, butstill live outside well protected areas.
Bibliography. Chiozza (2016c), Demos, Achmadi, Giarla et al. (2016), Demos, Achmadi, Handika et al. (2017), Hutterer (2005b), Jenkins (1982), Jentink (1910), Kitchener et al. (1994), 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.
