Sri Lankan shrew

Sri Lankan shrew
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Eulipotyphla
Family: Soricidae
Genus: Suncus
Species:
S. fellowesgordoni
Binomial name
Suncus fellowesgordoni
Phillips, 1932
Sri Lankan shrew range

The Sri Lankan shrew (Suncus fellowesgordoni), also called Gordon's pygmy shrew, is a species of mammal in the family Soricidae. It is endemic to Sri Lanka. It is threatened by habitat loss. It is known as හික් මීයා ([hikmiːya]) in Sinhala. It was named after the wife of A. C. Tutein-Nolthenius, Marjory née Fellowes-Gordon, who collected specimens of the shrew and provided them to Phillips.[2][3]

Description

Sri Lankan shrews have a head and body length of 5–6 cm (2.0–2.4 in) with a tail 3 cm (1.2 in) long. Females are larger than males. They are dark chocolate brown to blackish brown above and dark gray with a silver sheen below. The throat is very gray in color, while the snout, ears, and forefeet are pink and the claws reddish brown. The tail has gray hairs that are dark above and light below.

Distribution

This shrew is endemic to the Central Highlands of Sri Lanka. It was historically known from a limited range, but its distribution was extended further south to Agarapatana. It occurs at elevations between 1,100 and 2,500 meters.[1]

Ecology

The species is nocturnal and terrestrial. Its habitat consists of montane forests and the wet Patana grasslands found within this ecoregion.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c de A. Goonatilake, W.L.D.P.T.S. (2020). "Suncus fellowesgordoni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020 e.T21143A22289813. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T21143A22289813.en. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  2. ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2009). The Eponym Dictionary of Mammals. JHU Press. p. 132. ISBN 978-0-8018-9533-3.
  3. ^ Srinivasulu, Chelmala (2018). South Asian Mammals: An updated Checklist and Their Scientific Names. CRC Press. ISBN 978-0-429-88089-6.


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