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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
agricultural and biological sciences
A new species of giant sengi or elephant-shrew (genus Rhynchocyon) highlights the exceptional biodiversity of the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania
Journal of Zoology, Volume 274, No. 2, Year 2008
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Description
A new species of sengi, or elephant-shrew, is described. It was discovered in the northern Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania in 2005. Sengis (Order Macroscelidea, super-cohort Afrotheria) include four genera and 15 species of mammals that are endemic to Africa. This discovery is a significant contribution to the systematics of this small order. Based on 49 camera trap images, 40 sightings and five voucher specimens, the new sengi is diurnal and distinguished from the other three species of Rhynchocyon by a grizzled grey face, pale yellow to cream chest and chin, orange-rufous sides, maroon back and jet-black lower rump and thighs. The body weight of the new species is about 700 g, which is 25-50% greater than any other giant sengi. The new Rhynchocyon is only known from two populations that cover about 300 km2 of montane forest. It has an estimated density of 50-80 individuals km-2. This discovery has important implications for the conservation of the high biodiversity that is found in the forests of the Eastern Arc Mountains. © 2008 The Zoological Society of London.
Authors & Co-Authors
Rovero, Francesco
Italy, Trento
Mudeo Tridentino Di Scienze Naturali
Rathbun, Galen B.
United States, San Francisco
California Academy of Sciences
Perkin, Andrew
United Kingdom, Oxford
Oxford Brookes University
Tanzania, Dar es Salaam
Tanzania Forest Conservation Group
Jones, Trevor P.
United Kingdom, Cambridge
Anglia Ruskin University
Ribble, David O.
United States, San Antonio
Trinity University
Leonard, Charles
Tanzania, Dar es Salaam
Tanzania Forest Conservation Group
Mwakisoma, Ruben
Tanzania, Dar es Salaam
Tanzania Forest Conservation Group
Doggart, Nike H.
Tanzania, Dar es Salaam
Tanzania Forest Conservation Group
Statistics
Citations: 84
Authors: 8
Affiliations: 6
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1111/j.1469-7998.2007.00363.x
ISSN:
09528369
e-ISSN:
14697998
Study Design
Cohort Study
Study Locations
Tanzania