Atopogale cubana (Peters, 1861)

Russell A. Mittermeier & Don E. Wilson, 2018, Solenodontidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 8 Insectivores, Sloths and Colugos, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 620-627 : 626

1.

Cuban Solenodon

Atopogale cubana

French: Solénodonte de Cuba / German: Kuba-Schlitzrissler / Spanish: AImiqui

Other common names: Almiqui

Taxonomy. Solenodon cubanus Peters, 1861 ,

Bayamo, Granma Province, Oriente region, Cuba.

A second form of A. cubana from northeastern Cuba, poeyanus, was distinguished by T. Barbour in 1944 based on apparent differences in external morphology (fur color and claw length). This form was originally described as a distinct species, but it has sometimes been considered a valid subspecies. J. A. Ottenwalder in 2001 found no consistent differences in morphological variation among individuals from different geographical regions in Cuba, and subspecific distinction of poeyanus cannot be supported. Monotypic.

Distribution. Formerly distributed across Cuba, but now restricted to the Nipe-Sagua-Baracoa Massif in E Cuba, where it occurs in Sierra Cristal National Park (Holguin Province), Alejandro de Humboldt National Park and Cuchillas del Toa Biosphere Reserve (Holguin and Guantanamo provinces), and reportedly also in Pinares de Mayari (Santiago de Cuba Province).

Descriptive notes. Head—body 200-360 mm,tail 130-190 mm, ear 15-32 mm, hindfoot 45-56 mm; weight 455-950 g. Sexes are externally similar, with no sexual dimorphism. Muzzle, face, shoulders, and underside of the Cuban Solenodon are white or yellow, and forehead, crown, back, and sides are black or dark brown, with an abrupt contrast in color pattern; some color variation is reported among individuals that might be age related. Pelage is relatively thick, with dense underfur. Claws on forepaws are very long and well developed, probably an adaptation for burrowing. Os proboscisis absent, and anterior margin of premaxilla is square-shaped and slightly projected forward rather than folded back. Compared with the Hispaniolan Solenodon ( Solenodon paradoxus ), canines are slightly larger, and upper and lower premolars are appreciably wider, especially the strongly triangular upper fourth premolar (P*). Upper canines, P', and P* lack accessory cusps. Prominent diastema is present between I’ and C', and smaller diastemata are present between I?and I’ and between C' and P'. Vertebral formula is 7C,15T,4L, 5S, 25 Ca, total 56, and sternum has seven pieces. Tibia and fibula are not fused in adults.

Habitat. Montane and sub-montane primary forests, including moist broadleaf, wet broadleaf, and pine forests, at elevations of ¢.400-900 m. The Cuban Solenodon has also been reported from forest-agricultural mosaics outside protected areas in Pinares de Mayari.

Food and Feeding. The Cuban Solenodon forages on the ground or in deep leaflitter where it can make long foraging tunnels. Documented prey items in the wild include annelids, land snails, land crabs, arachnids, myriapods, adult and larval insects, frogs, lizards, bird eggs, and ground-nesting bird young.

Breeding. Gestation of the Cuban Solenodon is thought to be less than 50 days. Litters generally have two young, although several reports of captured individuals involved only one young. Breeding season is apparently in April-October, with a female with two offspring recorded in June, and two males and a female with two offspring recorded in August.

Activity patterns. Cuban Solenodons are nocturnal, and during the day they remain in complex burrow systems or in natural refuges (e.g. between tree roots or under a tree stump, or within hollow logs or clefts between rocks). Activity patterns are probably similar to those reported for the Hispaniolan Solenodon , but detailed field data are unavailable.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No home range or density estimates are available. The Cuban Solenodon lives in family groups of an adult pair and 1-2 young; multiple family groups (up to eight individuals) apparently share the same burrow system or den.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. The Cuban Solenodon apparently disappeared from the Guamuhaya Mountains (western part of the Escambray Mountains, Sancti Spiritus Province) in the second one-half of the 19" century, although relatively fresh osteological material was recovered from these mountains in 1975. It was last recorded from the Sierra Maestra (Santiago de Cuba Province) in the 1970s. The surviving remnant population apparently is not currently declining, but it is very small and fragmented and largely restricted to remote forests in protected areas. Historical decline of the Cuban Solenodon was probably driven by extensive reduction and fragmentation of forest habitats, and ongoing habitat degradation and loss are likely to represent continued threats. It is also considered particularly vulnerable to invasive mammals, particularly feral dogs and possibly feral pigs and Roof Rats (Rattus rattus). Solenodons killed by dogs, dog feces containing solenodon fur or bones, and dog excavations around probable solenodon dens have been found in Baracoa (Guantanamo Province) and Sierra Cristal National Park. Feral pigs are abundant in the distribution of the Cuban Solenodon , and their rooting for food could destroy solenodon burrows. Abandoned solenodon dens in Alejandro de Humboldt National Park are often occupied by Roof Rats, and high rat density in this protected area raises concerns that they might have negative impacts on the Cuban Solenodon through resource competition.

Bibliography. Allen (1942), Barbour (1944), Borroto-P4ez (2009), Borroto-Paez & Mancina (2011), Eisenberg & Gonzalez (1985), Fa et al. (2002), Ottenwalder (1991, 2001), Rams et al. (1989), Sato et al. (2016), Silva Taboada et al. (2007), Turvey et al. (2017), Varona (1983).

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Distribution. Formerly distributed across Cuba, but now restricted to the Nipe-Sagua-Baracoa Massif in E Cuba, where it occurs in Sierra Cristal National Park (Holguin Province), Alejandro de Humboldt National Park and Cuchillas del Toa Biosphere Reserve (Holguin and Guantanamo provinces), and reportedly also in Pinares de Mayari (Santiago de Cuba Province).