Brazilian shrew mouse
| Brazilian shrew mouse Temporal range: Pleistocene – Recent | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Cricetidae |
| Subfamily: | Sigmodontinae |
| Tribe: | Akodontini |
| Genus: | Blarinomys Thomas, 1896 |
| Species: | B. breviceps |
| Binomial name | |
| Blarinomys breviceps (Winge, 1888) | |
The Brazilian shrew mouse (Blarinomys breviceps),[2] also known as the blarinine akodont,[3] is a rodent in the tribe Akodontini from the Atlantic Forest of eastern and southeastern Brazil.[1] It is the only species in the genus Blarinomys.[3] Phylogenetic analysis suggest that there are two clear geographical clades, a northeastern and southeastern.[4]
Morphology
[edit]The appearance of the Brazilian shrew mouse is often compared to that of small insectivorous shrews or moles with small, reduced eyes, short ears and tail, and short, soft fur.[5] Its mole-like appearance contributes to its ability to be differentiated from other rodents in its Neotropical habitat.[6] Overall, its specialized body structure lends itself to the animal's subterranean life, with broad forefeet and large claws for digging.[7] It has a long snout that is used to find insects in the ground and highly developed jaw muscles that help to close the mouth quickly, as to avoid swallowing dirt.[5] The species has demonstrated sexual dimorphism in that females are usually slightly larger than males.[6]
Lifespan
[edit]The average lifespan of the Brazilian shrew mouse is unknown, as they are difficult to find. Captive specimens tend to refuse food and die shortly after capture.[6] It is generally assumed that the species' lifespan is similar to other sigmodontine rodents, which is typically less than one year.[8][page needed]
Diet
[edit]Very little is known about the diet of B. breviceps, however it is assumed to be primarily insectivorous. When studied in captivity, many specimens refuse food and die within a few days. However, some captive organisms have been shown to eat a variety of insects including crickets, moths and butterflies, and roaches. Overall, they tend to refuse other food sources such as fruits or seeds.[6]
Conservation status
[edit]According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Endangered Species, the Brazilian shrew mouse is considered of least concern.[1] However, some experts suggest that since the species is so difficult to find, data is insufficient to confidently label their conservation status.[9]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 Pardinas, U.; Patterson, B.; D'elia, G.; Teta, P. (2017) [errata version of 2016 assessment]. "Blarinomys breviceps". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016 e.T2827A115064305. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T2827A22378983.en. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
- ↑ Duff, A. and Lawson, A. (2004). Mammals of the World: A checklist. New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University Press. ISBN 0-7136-6021-X.
- 1 2 Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M., eds. (2005). "Blarinomys breviceps". Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
- ↑ Ventura, K.; Sato-Kuwabara, Y.; Fagundes, V.; Geise, L.; Leite, Y.L.R.; Costa, L.P.; Silva, M.J.J.; Yonenaga-Yassuda, Y.; Rodrigues, M.T. (2012). "Phylogeographic Structure and Karyotypic Diversity of the Brazilian Shrew Mouse (Blarinomys breviceps, Sigmodontinae) in the Atlantic Forest". Cytogenetic and Genome Research. 138 (1): 19–30. doi:10.1159/000341887. ISSN 1424-859X. PMID 22907314. S2CID 207643280.
- 1 2 Missagia, Rafaela Velloso; Perini, Fernando Araujo (November 2018). "Skull morphology of the Brazilian shrew mouse Blarinomys breviceps (Akodontini; Sigmodontinae), with comparative notes on Akodontini rodents". Zoologischer Anzeiger. 277: 148–161. Bibcode:2018ZooAn.277..148M. doi:10.1016/j.jcz.2018.09.005. ISSN 0044-5231. S2CID 92290701.
- 1 2 3 4 Matson, John O.; Abravaya, J. Paul (1977-06-15). "Blarinomys breviceps". Mammalian Species (74): 1–3. doi:10.2307/3503793. ISSN 0076-3519. JSTOR 3503793.
- ↑ Hildebrand, Milton (1985). "Chapter 6. Digging of Quadrupeds". Functional Vertebrate Morphology. Harvard University Press. pp. 89–109. doi:10.4159/harvard.9780674184404.c6. ISBN 9780674184404.
- ↑ Nowak, Ronald M. (1999-07-29). Walker's mammals of the world. ISBN 0801857899. OCLC 1037249783.
- ↑ Alexsander Zamorano ANTUNES; Marilda Rapp de ESTON (2010). Registro de Blarinomys breviceps (Winge, 1888) (Cricetidae, Rodentia) no Parque Estadual Carlos Botelho – SP (Nota Científica) [A record of Brazilian shrew-mouse Blarinomys breviceps (Winge, 1888) (Cricetidae, Rodentia) in Carlos Botelho State Park – SP, Brazil (Scientific Note)] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Instituto Florestal. OCLC 860212699.
Literature cited
[edit]- Musser, G. G.; Carleton, M. D. (2005). "Superfamily Muroidea". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 894–1531. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
