Crocidura beata, G. S. Miller, 1910
publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6870843 |
DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6870106 |
persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/3D474A54-A07C-8710-FAF9-A91A1414F556 |
treatment provided by |
Felipe |
scientific name |
Crocidura beata |
status |
|
Mindanao White-toothed Shrew
French: Crocidure de Mindanao / German: Mindanao-Weil 3zahnspitzmaus / Spanish: Musarana de Mindanao
Other common names: Mindanao Shrew
Taxonomy. Crocidura beatus G. S. Miller, 1910 View in CoL ,
Summit of Mount Bliss , 1461 m, Mindanao , Philippines.
Widely used specific name beatus has been changed for gender agreement, as beatus is a Latin adjective. In 1987, L.. R. Heaney and colleagues regarded it as a distinct species, including parvacauda as a synonym, and this was followed by R. Hutterer in 1993 and 2005. In contrast, G. B. Corbet and J. E. Hill treated it as part of C. gray: in
1992. Phylogenetically, it is related to C. grayi , C. mindorus , C. negrina , and C. panayenss. Genetically distinct populations are found in Samar and Leyte, and eastern, northcentral, western, and southern Mindanao. Further study needed. A specimen from Leyte had the karyotype 2n = 38. Monotypic.
Distribution. Endemic to the Philippines (Samar, Leyte, Maripipi, Biliran, Bohol, Mindanao, and Camiguin Is). View Figure
Descriptive notes. Head-body 77 mm (type specimen), tail 52-75 mm, hindfoot 14— 17 mm; weight 9-13 g. Condylo-incisive length 20-215 mm. The Mindanao Whitetoothed Shrew is a small grayish brown shrew, similar to the Luzon White-toothed Shrew (C. grayi ), with only a few vibrissae on the basal half of the tail, and these tend to be fine and short (rather than many coarse hairs over most ofits length). Claws on foreand hindfeet are slightly shorter and less robust. Cranium is slightly more elongate and narrow, and the braincase is slightly more inflated. The Mount Malindang White-toothed Shrew (C. grands) is larger, though the degree of difference is currently unknown.
Habitat. Primary and secondary forest, and scrubby secondary growth. Most abundant in montane and mossy forest (both primary and secondary). Usually absent outside forest. It appears to be tolerant of some level of disturbance. Elevation range 0-2800 m.
Food and Feeding. Mindanao White-toothed Shrews feed on invertebrates, especially earthworms.
Breeding. A pregnant female contained a single embryo.
Activity patterns. Mindanao White-toothed Shrews are active day and night.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. Mindanao White-toothed Shrews captured on Leyte, Biliran, and Maripipi were collected on the ground within leaf litter, in runways, or along steep, moss-covered embankments. On Camiguin Island it was most often trapped undertree roots and live vegetation. No individuals were taken in agricultural areas.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List, because it is reasonably widespread, occurring on several islands in the Mindanao Faunal Region, and the higher elevation populations are relatively stable. The lowland populations have already undergone a significant reduction due to deforestation, but these reductions are not at a rate to qualify the species for listing in a threat category. Locally, the Mindanao White-toothed Shrew is threatened by deforestation, especially for agriculture, timber and human settlements. The species occurs in Mount Kitanglad National Park.
Bibliography. Corbet & Hill (1992), Esselstyn et al. (2009), Heaney (2016), Heaney & Ruedi (1994), Heaney, Balete et al. (1998), Heaney, Dolar et al. (2010), Heaney, Gonzales & Alcala (1987), Heaney, Tabaranza, Balete & Rigertas (2006), Heaney, Tabaranza, Rickart et al. (2006), Hutterer (1993, 2005b), Miller (1910), Rickart (2003), Rickart et al. (1993).
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.