Lesser hedgehog tenrec (Echinops telfairi) and giant golden mole (Chrysospalax trevelyani )

Afrosoricida is an order of placental mammals. Members of this order are called afrosoricids, and include golden moles, otter shrews, and tenrecs. They are found in Africa, generally in forests, but also inland wetlands, shrublands, and grasslands. They range in size from the least shrew tenrec, at 4 cm (2 in) plus a 6 cm (2 in) tail, to the giant otter shrew, at 34 cm (13 in) plus a 39 cm (15 in) tail. Afrosoricids primarily eat invertebrates, particularly insects and earthworms, though some will also eat small lizards or other vertebrates. The golden moles have vestigial eyes covered with skin, and track their prey through vibrations rather than sight.^[1] No population estimates have been made for any afrosoricid species, though the De Winton's golden mole is classified as Critically Endangered and the giant golden mole, Gunning's golden mole, Jenkins's shrew tenrec, Juliana's golden mole, Marley's golden mole, northern shrew tenrec, and Van Zyl's golden mole are categorized as endangered species.

The fifty-five extant species of Afrosoricida are divided into two suborders, with Chrysochloridea containing the family Chrysochloridae, or golden moles, and Tenrecomorpha containing the families Potamogalidae, or otter shrews, and Tenrecidae, or tenrecs. Chrysochloridae is split into the subfamilies Chrysochlorinae, containing eleven species in six genera, and Amblysominae, containing ten species in four genera. Potamogalidae consists of three species in two genera, while Tenrecidae contains the subfamilies of Geogalinae, comprising a single species, Oryzorictinae, containing twenty-five species in three genera, and Tenrecinae, containing five species in four genera. The order as a whole was traditionally grouped with the hedgehogs, shrews, and moles as part of the order Lipotyphla, but modern molecular phylogenetic analysis resulted in that order being split into Afrosoricida and Eulipotyphla. Few extinct Afrosoricida species have been discovered, though due to ongoing research and discoveries the exact number and categorization are not fixed.^[2]

Conventions

Conservation status codes listed follow the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Range maps are provided wherever possible; if a range map is not available, a description of the afrosoricid's range is provided. Ranges are based on the IUCN Red List for that species unless otherwise noted. All extinct species or subspecies listed alongside extant species went extinct after 1500 CE, and are indicated by a dagger symbol "†".

Classification

The order Afrosoricida consists of two suborders, Chrysochloridea and Tenrecomorpha. Chrysochloridea consists of the family Chrysochloridae, or golden moles, and Tenrecomorpha contains the families Potamogalidae, or otter shrews, and Tenrecidae, or tenrecs. Chrysochloridae contains twenty-one species in ten genera, divided into two subfamilies. Potamogalidae consists of three species in two genera, while Tenrecidae contains thirty-one species in eight genera, divided into three subfamilies. Many of these species are further subdivided into subspecies. This does not include hybrid species or extinct prehistoric species.

Afrosoricids

The following classification is based on the taxonomy described by the reference work Mammal Species of the World (2005), with augmentation by generally accepted proposals made since using molecular phylogenetic analysis, as supported by both the IUCN and the American Society of Mammalogists.^[6]

Suborder Chrysochloridea

Family Chrysochloridae

Main article: Chrysochloridae

Subfamily Chrysochlorinae

Main article: Chrysochlorinae

Genus Carpitalpa – Lundholm, 1955 – one species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Arends's golden mole	C. arendsi (Lundholm, 1955)	Mozambique and Zimbabwe	Size: 11–14 cm (4–6 in) long[7] Habitat: Forest and grassland[8] Diet: Insects and earthworms[7]	VU  Unknown [8]

Genus Chlorotalpa – Roberts, 1924 – two species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Duthie's golden mole	C. duthieae (Broom, 1907)	Southern South Africa	Size: 9–13 cm (4–5 in) long[9] Habitat: Forest, savanna, and grassland[10] Diet: Earthworms[9]	VU  Unknown [10]
Sclater's golden mole	C. sclateri (Broom, 1907) Four subspecies C. s. guillarmodi C. s. montana C. s. sclateri C. s. shortridgei	South Africa and Lesotho	Size: 8–14 cm (3–6 in) long[11] Habitat: Shrubland and grassland[12] Diet: Eathworms and insect larvae[11]	LC  Unknown [12]

Genus Chrysochloris – Lacépède, 1799 – three species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Cape golden mole	C. asiatica (Linnaeus, 1758)	Western South Africa	Size: 9–12 cm (4–5 in) long[13] Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and grassland[14] Diet: Insects and small invertebrates, as well as small lizards[15]	LC  Unknown [14]
Stuhlmann's golden mole	C. stuhlmanni Matschie, 1894 Three subspecies C. s. balsaci C. s. stuhlmanni C. s. stuhlmanni	Scattered central Africa	Size: 10–13 cm (4–5 in) long[16] Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and grassland[17] Diet: Earthworms and insect larvae, as well as other invertebrates[16]	LC  Unknown [17]
Visagie's golden mole	C. visagiei Broom, 1950	Western South Africa	Size: About 10 cm (4 in) long[18] Habitat: Shrubland[19] Diet: Unknown[18]	DD  Unknown [19]

Genus Chrysospalax – Gill, 1883 – two species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Giant golden mole	C. trevelyani (Günther, 1875)	Southern South Africa	Size: 20–24 cm (8–9 in) long[20] Habitat: Forest and grassland[21] Diet: Small invertebrates, especially giant earthworms and millipedes, as well as small vertebrates[21]	EN  Unknown [21]
Rough-haired golden mole	C. villosus (Smith, 1833) Six subspecies C. v. dobsoni C. v. leschae C. v. rufopallidus C. v. rufus C. v. transvaalensis C. v. villosus	South Africa	Size: 12–18 cm (5–7 in) long[22] Habitat: Shrubland and grassland[23] Diet: Small invertebrates, especially termites and earthworms[22]	VU  Unknown [23]

Genus Cryptochloris – Shortridge, Carter, 1938 – two species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
De Winton's golden mole	C. wintoni (Broom, 1907)	Western South Africa	Size: 8–10 cm (3–4 in) long[24] Habitat: Shrubland[25] Diet: Unknown[24]	CR  Unknown [25]
Van Zyl's golden mole	C. zyli Shortridge, Carter, 1938	Western South Africa	Size: About 8 cm (3 in) long[26] Habitat: Shrubland[27] Diet: Unknown[26]	EN  Unknown [27]

Genus Eremitalpa – Roberts, 1924 – one species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Grant's golden mole	E. granti (Broom, 1907) Two subspecies E. g. granti E. g. namibensis	Western South Africa and Namibia	Size: 7–9 cm (3–4 in) long[28] Habitat: Shrubland and desert[29] Diet: Termites and other insects, as well as roots and small lizards[28]	LC  Unknown [29]

Subfamily Amblysominae

Main article: Amblysominae

Genus Amblysomus – Pomel, 1848 – five species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Fynbos golden mole	A. corriae Thomas, 1905 Two subspecies A. c. corriae A. c. devilliersi	Southern South Africa	Size: 10–13 cm (4–5 in) long[30] Habitat: Forest, savanna, shrubland, and grassland[31] Diet: Insects[30]	NT  Unknown [31]
Highveld golden mole	A. septentrionalis Roberts, 1913	Eastern South Africa	Size: 10–15 cm (4–6 in) long[32] Habitat: Forest, savanna, shrubland, and grassland[33] Diet: Earthworms and other invertebrates[32]	NT  Unknown [33]
Hottentot golden mole	A. hottentotus (Smith, 1829) Five subspecies A. h. hottentotus A. h. iris (Zulu golden mole) A. h. longiceps A. h. meesteri A. h. pondoliae	South Africa	Size: 10–14 cm (4–6 in) long[34] Habitat: Forest, savanna, shrubland, and grassland[35] Diet: Earthworms and other invertebrates[34]	LC  Unknown [35]
Marley's golden mole	A. marleyi Roberts, 1931	Eastern South Africa	Size: 9–12 cm (4–5 in) long[36] Habitat: Forest, savanna, shrubland, and grassland[37] Diet: Insects[36]	EN  Unknown [37]
Robust golden mole	A. robustus Bronner, 2000	Eastern South Africa	Size: 10–15 cm (4–6 in) long[38] Habitat: Shrubland and grassland[39] Diet: Small insects and earthworms[38]	VU  Unknown [39]

Genus Calcochloris – Mivart, 1867 – one species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Yellow golden mole	C. obtusirostris (Peters, 1851) Three subspecies C. o. chrysillus C. o. limpopoensis C. o. obtusirostris	Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe	Size: 8–11 cm (3–4 in) long[40] Habitat: Forest and savanna[41] Diet: Insects as well as small lizards[40]	LC  Unknown [41]

Genus Huetia – Forcart, 1942 – two species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Congo golden mole	H. leucorhinus (Huet, 1885) Two subspecies H. l. cahni H. l. leucorhinus	Western Central Africa	Size: 8–10 cm (3–4 in) long[42] Habitat: Forest[43] Diet: Earthworms and other invertebrates[32]	DD  Unknown [43]
Somali golden mole	H. tytonis (Simonetta, 1968)	Somalia	Size: Unknown[40] Habitat: Savanna[44] Diet: Unknown[40]	DD  Unknown [44]

Genus Neamblysomus – Roberts, 1924 – two species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Gunning's golden mole	N. gunningi (Broom, 1908)	Northern South Africa	Size: 11–14 cm (4–6 in) long[45] Habitat: Forest, shrubland, and grassland[46] Diet: Earthworms[45]	EN  Unknown [46]
Juliana's golden mole	N. julianae (Meester, 1972)	Northern South Africa	Size: 9–11 cm (4 in) long[47] Habitat: Savanna and grassland[48] Diet: Earthworms and insects[49]	EN  Unknown [48]

Suborder Tenrecomorpha

Family Potamogalidae

Main article: Potamogalidae

Genus Micropotamogale – Heim de Balsac, 1954 – two species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Nimba otter shrew	M. lamottei Heim de Balsac, 1954	Mount Richard-Molard area in western Africa	Size: 12–16 cm (5–6 in) long, plus 9–14 cm (4–6 in) tail[50] Habitat: Forest and inland wetlands[51] Diet: Crabs and catfish, as well as insects and tadpoles[51]	VU  Unknown [51]
Ruwenzori otter shrew	M. ruwenzorii (de Witte, Frechkop, 1955)	Central Africa	Size: 12–20 cm (5–8 in) long, plus 10–15 cm (4–6 in) tail[52] Habitat: Forest and inland wetlands[53] Diet: Insect larvae and worms, as well as small fish, frogs, and crabs[52]	LC  Unknown [53]

Genus Potamogale – Du Chaillu, 1860 – one species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Giant otter shrew	P. velox (Du Chaillu, 1860)	Central Africa	Size: 30–34 cm (12–13 in) long, plus 23–29 cm (9–11 in) tail[54] Habitat: Forest and inland wetlands[55] Diet: Fishes, crabs, shrimps, and water insects, as well as frogs[55]	LC  Unknown [55]

Family Tenrecidae

Main article: Tenrecidae

Subfamily Geogalinae

Main article: Geogalinae

Genus Geogale – Milne-Edwards, Grandidier, 1872 – one species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Large-eared tenrec	G. aurita Milne-Edwards, Grandidier, 1872 Two subspecies G. a. aurita G. a. orientalis	Scattered Madagascar	Size: 6–8 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 3–4 cm (1–2 in) tail[56] Habitat: Forest and shrubland[57] Diet: Ants, termites, and other invertebrates[56]	LC  Unknown [57]

Subfamily Oryzorictinae

Main article: Oryzorictinae

Genus Microgale – Thomas, 1882 – twenty-one species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Cowan's shrew tenrec	M. cowani Thomas, 1882	Madagascar	Size: 6–10 cm (2–4 in) long, plus 6–8 cm (2–3 in) tail[58] Habitat: Forest[59] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates, as well as small vertebrates[60]	LC  Unknown [59]
Drouhard's shrew tenrec	M. drouhardi Grandidier, 1934	Eastern Madagascar	Size: 6–9 cm (2–4 in) long, plus 5–9 cm (2–4 in) tail[61] Habitat: Forest[62] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates, as well as small vertebrates[60]	LC  Unknown [62]
Dryad shrew tenrec	M. dryas Jenkins, 1992	Northeastern Madagascar	Size: 17–18 cm (7–7 in) long, plus tail[63] Habitat: Forest[64] Diet: Invertebrates[63]	VU  Unknown [64]
Gracile shrew tenrec	M. gracilis (Major, 1896)	Eastern Madagascar	Size: 16–19 cm (6–7 in) long, plus tail[65] Habitat: Forest[66] Diet: Believed to be insects, earthworms, and other invertebrates[65]	LC  Unknown [66]
Grandidier's shrew tenrec	M. grandidieri Olson, Rakotomalala, Hildebrandt, Lanier, Raxworthy, Goodman, 2009	Western Madagascar	Size: 5–8 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 3–4 cm (1–2 in) tail[67] Habitat: Forest and shrubland[68] Diet: Believed to be insects and other invertebrates[67]	LC  Unknown [68]
Greater long-tailed shrew tenrec	M. principula Thomas, 1926	Eastern Madagascar	Size: 7–8 cm (3 in) long, plus 14–18 cm (6–7 in) tail[69] Habitat: Forest[70] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates, as well as small vertebrates[60]	LC  Unknown [70]
Jenkins's shrew tenrec	M. jenkinsae Goodman, Soarimalala, 2004	Southwestern Madagascar	Size: 7–8 cm (3 in) long, plus 7–9 cm (3–4 in) tail[71] Habitat: Forest and shrubland[72] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates[60]	EN  Unknown [72]
Least shrew tenrec	M. pusilla Major, 1896	Eastern Madagascar	Size: 4–6 cm (2 in) long, plus 6–8 cm (2–3 in) tail[73] Habitat: Forest and inland wetlands[74] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates[60]	LC  Unknown [74]
Lesser long-tailed shrew tenrec	M. longicaudata Thomas, 1882	Central and northern Madagascar	Size: 6–8 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 11–16 cm (4–6 in) tail[60] Habitat: Forest[75] Diet: Insects, arachnids, crustaceans, and other invertebrates[76]	LC  Unknown [75]
Major's long-tailed tenrec	M. majori Thomas, 1918	Madagascar	Size: 5–7 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 10–14 cm (4–6 in) tail[77] Habitat: Forest[78] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates[60]	LC  Unknown [78]
Montane shrew tenrec	M. monticola Goodman, Jenkins, 1998	Northeastern Madagascar	Size: 7–10 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 9–12 cm (4–5 in) tail[79] Habitat: Forest[80] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates[60]	VU  Unknown [80]
Naked-nosed shrew tenrec	M. gymnorhyncha Jenkins, Goodman, Raxworthy, 1996	Eastern Madagascar	Size: 13–18 cm (5–7 in) long, plus tail[81] Habitat: Forest[82] Diet: Insects, as well as small mammals, amphibians, vegetation, and potentially carrion[81]	LC  Unknown [82]
Nasolo's shrew tenrec	M. nasoloi Jenkins, 1999	Western Madagascar	Size: About 8 cm (3 in) long, plus 5 cm (2 in) tail[83] Habitat: Forest[84] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates[60]	VU  Unknown [84]
Northern shrew tenrec	M. jobihely Goodman, Raxworthy, Maminirina, Olson, 2006	Eastern and northern Madagascar	Size: 4–7 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 4–6 cm (2 in) tail[85] Habitat: Forest[86] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates[60]	EN  Unknown [86]
Pale shrew tenrec	M. fotsifotsy Jenkins, Raxworthy, Nussbaum, 1997	Eastern and northern Madagascar	Size: 6–9 cm (2–4 in) long, plus 7–10 cm (3–4 in) tail[79] Habitat: Forest[87] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates[60]	LC  Unknown [87]
Pygmy shrew tenrec	M. parvula Grandidier, 1934	Eastern and northern Madagascar	Size: 5–7 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 4–7 cm (2–3 in) tail[88] Habitat: Forest[89] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates[60]	LC  Unknown [89]
Short-tailed shrew tenrec	M. brevicaudata Grandidier, 1899	Western and northern Madagascar	Size: 6–7 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 3 cm (1 in) tail[90] Habitat: Forest and shrubland[91] Diet: Insects and small vertebrates[90]	LC  Unknown [91]
Shrew-toothed shrew tenrec	M. soricoides Jenkins, 1993	Eastern Madagascar	Size: 7–11 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 8–11 cm (3–4 in) tail[92] Habitat: Forest[93] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates, as well as small vertebrates[60]	LC  Unknown [93]
Taiva shrew tenrec	M. taiva Major, 1896	Eastern Madagascar	Size: 5–8 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 7–9 cm (3–4 in) tail[85] Habitat: Forest[94] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates[60]	LC  Unknown [94]
Thomas's shrew tenrec	M. thomasi Major, 1896	Eastern Madagascar	Size: 7–12 cm (3–5 in) long, plus 5–8 cm (2–3 in) tail[77] Habitat: Forest[95] Diet: Insects and other invertebrates[60]	LC  Unknown [95]
Web-footed tenrec	M. mergulus Major, 1896	Eastern Madagascar	Size: 12–17 cm (5–7 in) long, plus 11–17 cm (4–7 in) tail[96] Habitat: Forest and inland wetlands[97] Diet: Insects, as well as tadpoles and crayfish[96]	VU  Unknown [97]

Genus Nesogale – Thomas, 1918 – two species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Dobson's shrew tenrec	N. dobsoni (Thomas, 1884)	Eastern and northern Madagascar	Size: 9–12 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 10–11 cm (4 in) tail[98] Habitat: Forest[99] Diet: Insects and ant eggs[98]	LC  Unknown [99]
Talazac's shrew tenrec	N. talazaci (Major, 1896)	Eastern Madagascar	Size: 4–13 cm (2–5 in) long, plus 4–16 cm (2–6 in) tail[100] Habitat: Forest[101] Diet: Insects as well as frogs[100]	LC  Unknown [101]

Genus Oryzorictes – Grandidier, 1870 – two species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Four-toed rice tenrec	O. tetradactylus Milne-Edwards, Grandidier, 1882	Southeastern Madagascar	Size: 10–12 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 4–6 cm (2 in) tail[102] Habitat: Forest, shrubland, grassland, and inland wetlands[103] Diet: Worms, insects, and other invertebrates[102]	DD  Unknown [103]
Mole-like rice tenrec	O. hova Grandidier, 1870	Eastern and northern Madagascar	Size: 9–13 cm (4–5 in) long, plus tail[104] Habitat: Forest and inland wetlands[105] Diet: insects and earthworms, as well as plants[104]	LC  Unknown [105]

Subfamily Tenrecinae

Main article: Tenrecinae

Genus Echinops – Linnaeus, 1753 – one species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Lesser hedgehog tenrec	E. telfairi Martin, 1838	Southwestern Madagascar	Size: 14–18 cm (6–7 in) long, plus 13–17 cm (5–7 in) tail[106] Habitat: Forest, savanna, shrubland, and grassland[107] Diet: Insects and fruit[106]	LC  Unknown [107]

Genus Hemicentetes – Mivart, 1871 – two species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Highland streaked tenrec	H. nigriceps Günther, 1875	Eastern Madagascar	Size: 12–16 cm (5–6 in) long[108] Habitat: Forest and savanna[109] Diet: Soft-bodied invertebrates[109]	LC  Unknown [109]
Lowland streaked tenrec	H. semispinosus (Cuvier, 1798)	Eastern Madagascar	Size: 13–19 cm (5–7 in) long[110] Habitat: Forest and shrubland[111] Diet: Worms and other invertebrates[112]	LC  Unknown [111]

Genus Setifer – (Froriep, 1806) – one species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Greater hedgehog tenrec	S. setosus (Schreber, 1778)	Madagascar	Size: 16–23 cm (6–9 in) long, plus tail[113] Habitat: Forest, savanna, shrubland, and grassland[114] Diet: Insects, grubs, other invertebrates, and fruit[113]	LC  Unknown [114]

Genus Tenrec – Lacépède, 1799 – one species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Tailless tenrec	T. ecaudatus (Schreber, 1777)	Madagascar	Size: 26–39 cm (10–15 in) long[115] Habitat: Forest, savanna, shrubland, and grassland[116] Diet: Invertebrates, as well as vegetation, fruit, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals[115]	LC  Unknown [116]

References

Sources

• Garbutt, Nick (2007). Mammals of Madagascar. Yale University Press. ISBN 978-0-300-12550-4.
• Bronner, Gary N. (2013). Kingdon, Jonathan; Happold, David; Hoffmann, Michael; Butynski, Thomas; Happold, Meredith; Kalina, Jan (eds.). The Mammals of Africa. Vol. I: Introductory Chapters and Afrotheria. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4081-8996-2.
• Mittermeier, Russell A.; Wilson, Don E. (2018). Handbook of the Mammals of the World. Vol. 8. Insectivores, Sloths and Colugos. Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-84-16728-08-4.
• Bronner, Gary N.; Jenkins, Paulina D. (2005). Wilson, Don E.; Reeder, DeeAnn M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World. Vol. 1 (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0.