AFROTHERIAN SYSTEMATICS
The following classification has been assembled by members of the IUCN-SSC Afrotheria Specialist Group. Superscripts refer to footnotes in each section. The binomial for each species is followed with the 2008 IUCN Red List categories of threat: [DD] = data deficient, [LC] = least concern, [NT] = near threatened, [VU] = vulnerable, [EN] = endangered, [CR] = critically endangered. The common English names for all species are included to the right of the scientific names. At the end of each section are literature citations that support the classification. For further details, see back issues of “Afrotherian Conservation – Newsletter of the IUCN-SSC Afrotheria Specialist Group.”
Supercohort: Afrotheria
Order: Afrosoricida
Stanhope et al. (1998) grouped golden moles and tenrecs in the new order Afrosoricida. The existence of this clade, and its affinities with other Afrotherian taxa, is strongly supported by phylogenies based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences, and rare genomic changes such as indels (insertions and deletions), SINES (short interspersed nuclear sequences) and chromosomal rearrangements (Springer et al. 2004). Bronner et al. (2003) reluctantly accepted Afrosoricida as the ordinal name for this clade, a treatment followed by Bronner and Jenkins (2005) who argue that the alternative (and earlier) names "Tenrecoidea" and "Tenrecomorpha" are unsuitable at the ordinal level.
Subordinal distinction between the tenrecs (Tenrecomorpha) and golden moles (Chrysochloridea) has been motivated based on analyses of both morphological (Butler, 1972, 1988; MacPhee and Novacek, 1993) analyses and the above mentioned molecular studies indicating an early phylogenetic divergence.
Overall classification follows:
Bronner, G.N. and P.D. Jenkins. 2005. Order Afrosoricida. Pp. 70-81 in Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition. Wilson, D. E. and D.M. Reeder (eds.). Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. 2142 pp.
The golden mole classification follows the treatment of Bronner & Jenkins (2005), and is based largely on the treatment of Meester et al. (1986) for the Chrysochlorinae, and Bronner (1995; 1996; 2000) for the Amblysominae. Type species are indicated by asterisks. Superscripts denote footnotes explained below.
Order: Afrosoricida (55 species) |
|
Suborder: Chrysochloridea (21 species) |
Golden Moles |
Family: Chrysochloridae |
|
Subfamily: Chrysochlorinae 1 |
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Genus: Eremitalpa |
|
Species: Eremitalpa granti* [LC] |
Grant's Golden Mole |
Genus: Chrysospalax |
|
Species: Chrysospalax trevelyani* [EN] |
Giant Golden Mole |
Species: Chrysospalax villosus [VU] |
Rough-haired Golden Mole |
Genus: Chrysochloris |
|
Subgenus: Chrysochloris |
|
Species: Chrysochloris asiatica* [LC] |
Cape Golden Mole |
Species: Chrysochloris visagiei incertae sedis 2 [DD] |
Visagie’s Golden Mole |
Subgenus: Kilimatalpa |
|
Species: Chrysochloris (K.) stuhlmanni* [LC] |
Stuhlmann’s Golden Mole |
Genus: Cryptochloris |
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Species: Cryptochloris zyli* [EN] |
Van Zyl’s Golden Mole |
Species: Cryptochloris wintoni [CR] |
De Winton’s Golden Mole |
Genus: Carpitalpa |
|
Species: Carpitalpa arendsi* [VU] |
Arend’s Golden Mole |
Genus: Chlorotalpa |
|
Species: Chlorotalpa duthieae* [VU] |
Duthie’s Golden Mole |
Species: Chlorotalpa sclateri [LC] |
Sclater’s Golden Mole |
Subfamily: Amblysominae 1 |
|
Genus: Calcochloris |
|
Subgenus: Calcochloris |
|
Species: Calcochloris (C.) obtusirostris* [LC] |
Yellow Golden Mole |
Subgenus: Huetia 3 |
|
Species: Calcochloris (H.) leucorhina* [DD] |
|
Species: Calcochloris (H.) tytonis incertae sedis 4 [DD] |
Somali Golden Mole |
Genus: Amblysomus |
|
Species: Amblysomus hottentotus* 5 [LC] |
Hottentot Golden Mole |
Species: Amblysomus corriae 6 [NT] |
Fynbos Golden Mole |
Species: Amblysomus septentrionalis 6 [NT] |
Highveld Golden Mole |
Species: Amblysomus robustus 6 [VU] |
Robust Golden Mole |
Species: Amblysomus marleyi 6 [EN] |
Marley’s Golden Mole |
Genus: Neamblysomus 7 |
|
Species: Neamblysomus gunningi* [EN] |
Gunning’s Golden Mole |
Species: Neamblysomus julianae 8 [VU & CR] |
Juliana’s Golden Mole |
Chrysochloridea footnotes:
1. Bronner et al. (2003) resurrected these subfamilies, which were erected by Simonetta (1968), but not used by most subsequent authors.
2. Known only from the type specimen. Meester (1974) argued that it may be an aberrant specimen of C. asiatica. More data are, however, needed to confirm the status of this taxon.
3. Included in Amblysomus by Simonetta (1968) and Petter (1981), and in Chlorotalpa by Meester (1974). Assigned to Calcochloris (Subgenus Huetia Forcart, 1942) by Bronner (1995) based on limited craniometric evidence.
4. Known from only the type specimen (partially-complete skull from an owl pellet), and thus of uncertain taxonomic status.
5. Bronner (1995, 1996, 2000) demonstrated the existence of three cryptic species (marleyi, septentrionalis and robustus) in this species, as traditionally constituted (Meester 1974).
6. Previously treated as a subspecies of A. iris, and devilliersi as a subspecies of A. hottentotus , see Meester et al. (1986). Bronner (1996) showed that iris represents only a subspecies of A. hottentotus, and elevated corriae to species rank to include devilliersi (previously included as a subspecies of hottentotus).
7. Included in Amblysomus by Simonetta (1968), Meester (1974), Petter (1981) and Meester et al. (1986). Bronner (1995) elevated it to generic rank on the basis of cytogenetic and cranial divergence from Amblysomus species.
8. The nominotypical population, from the Bronberg in eastern Pretoria, is now afforded Critically Endangered status owing to quartzite mining and urbanization, which are destroying its natural habitat.
Chrysochloridea references:
Bronner, G.N. 1995. Systematic revision of the golden mole genera Amblysomus, Chlorotalpa & Calcochloris (Insectivora: Chrysochloromorpha; Chrysochloridae). Ph.D. thesis, Univ. of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.
Bronner, G.N. 1996. Geographic patters of morphometric variation in the Hottentot golden mole, Amblysomus hottentotus (Insectivora: Chrysochloridae). A multivariate analysis. Mammalia 60:729-751.
Bronner,
G.N. 2000. New
species and subspecies of golden mole (Chrysochloridae: Amblysomus) from Mpumalanga,
Bronner,
G.N., Hoffman, M., Taylor, P.J., Chimimba, C.T., Best, P.B., Mathee
Bronner, G.N. and P.D. Jenkins. 2005. Order Afrosoricida. Pp. 70-81. In Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition. Wilson, D. E. and D.M. Reeder (eds.). Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. 2142 pp.
Butler, P.M. 1972. The problem of insectivore classification, pp. 253-265. In Studies in vertebrate evolution. Ed. K. Joysey & T. Kemp. Edinburgh: Oliver & Boyd.
Butler, P.M. 1988. Phylogeny of the insectivores, pp. 117-141. In The phylogeny and classification of the tetrapods, Vol. 2. Ed. M. J. Benton. Systematic Association Special Volume 35B. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
MacPhee, R.D.E. & Novacek, M.J. 1993. Definition and relationships of Lipotyphla, pp. 13-31. In Mammal phylogeny: placentals. Ed. F.S. Szalay,M.J. Novacek & M.C. McKenna. New York: Springer Verlag.
Meester, J. 1974. Family Chrysochloridae, part 1.3, pp 1-7. In The mammals of Africa: an identification manual. Eds J. Meester & H.W. Setzer. Washington D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.
Meester, J.A.J., Rautenbach, I.L., Dippenaar, N.J. & Baker, C.M. 1986. Classification of southern African mammals. Transvaal Museum Monographs. 5: 1-359.
Petter, F. 1981. Remarques sur le systématique des chrysochlorides. Mammalia 45:49-53.
Simonetta, A.M. 1968. A new golden mole from
Springer M.S., Stanhope M.J., Madsen O. & de Jong W.W. 2004. Molecules consolidate the placental mammal tree. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 19:430–438.
Stanhope,
M.J, Waddell, V.G., Madsen, O., de Jong, W., Hedges,
B., Cleven, G.C., Kao, D. & Springer, M.S. 1999. Molecular
evidence for multiple origins of Insectivora and for
a new order of endemic African insectivore mammals. Proceedings of
the National Academy of Sciences,
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Order: Afrosoricida (55 species) |
|
Suborder: Tenrecomorpha (34 species) |
|
Family: Tenrecidae (33 species) |
Tenrecs |
Subfamily: Potamogalinae |
Otter shrews |
Genus: Potamogale |
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Species: Potamogale velox [LC] |
Giant Otter Shrew |
Genus: Micropotamogale |
|
Species: Micropotamogale lamottei [EN] |
Nimba Otter Shrew |
Species: Micropotamogale ruwenzorii [NT] |
Ruwenzori Otter Shrew |
Subfamily: Tenrecinae |
Spiny tenrecs |
Genus: Echinops |
|
Species: Echinops telfairi [LC] |
Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec |
Genus: Hemicentetes |
Streaked Tenrecs |
Species: Hemicentetes semispinosus [LC] |
Lowland Streaked Tenrec |
Species: Hemicentetes nigriceps [LC] |
Highland Streaked Tenrec |
Genus: Setifer |
|
Species: Setifer setosus [LC] |
Greater Hedgehog Tenrec |
Genus: Tenrec |
|
Species: Tenrec ecaudatus [LC] |
Tail-less Tenrec |
Subfamily: Geogalinae |
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Species: Geogale aurita [LC] |
Large-eared Tenrec |
Subfamily: Oryzorictinae |
Furred Tenrecs |
Genus: Limnogale |
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Species: Limnogale mergulus [VU] |
Web-footed Tenrec |
Genus: Microgale9 |
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Species: Microgale brevicaudata [LC] |
Short-tailed Shrew Tenrec |
(syn. Microgale breviceps) |
|
(syn. Paramicrogale occidentalis) |
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Species: Microgale cowani [LC] |
Cowan's Shrew Tenrec |
(syn. Microgale crassipes) |
|
(syn. Microgale longirostris) |
|
(syn. Microgale cowani nigrescens) |
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Species: Microgale dobsoni [LC] |
Dobson's Shrew Tenrec |
Species: Microgale drouhardi [LC] |
Drouhard's Shrew Tenrec |
(syn. Microgale melanorrhachis) |
|
Species: Microgale dryas [VU] |
Dryad Shrew Tenrec |
Species: Microgale fotsifotsy [LC] |
Pale Shrew Tenrec |
Species: Microgale gracilis [LC] |
Gracile Shrew Tenrec |
| Species: Microgale grandidieri 12 [?] | |
Species: Microgale gymnorhyncha [LC] |
Naked-nosed Shrew Tenrec |
Species: Microgale jenkinsae 10 [EN] |
|
Species: Microgale jobihely 10 [EN] |
Species: Microgale longicaudata [LC] |
Lesser Long-tailed Shrew Tenrec |
(syn. Microgale prolixacaudata) |
|
Species: Microgale majori 11 [LC] |
Major’s Long-tailed Tenrec |
Species: Microgale monticola [VU] |
Montane Shrew Tenrec |
Species: Microgale nasoloi [VU] |
Nasolo's Shrew Tenrec |
Species: Microgale parvula [LC] |
Pygmy Shrew Tenrec |
(syn. Microgale pulla) |
|
Species: Microgale principula [LC] |
Greater Long-tailed Shrew Tenrec |
(syn. Microgale decaryi) |
|
(syn. Microgale sorella) |
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Species: Microgale pusilla [LC] |
Least Shrew Tenrec |
Species: Microgale soricoides [LC] |
Shrew-toothed Shrew Tenrec |
Species: Microgale taiva [LC] |
Taiva Shrew Tenrec |
Species: Microgale talazaci [LC] |
Talazac's Shrew Tenrec |
Species: Microgale thomasi [LC] |
Thomas's Shrew Tenrec |
Genus: Oryzorictes |
Rice Tenrecs |
Species: Oryzorictes hova [LC] |
Mole-like Rice Tenrec |
(syn. Oryzorictes talpoides) |
|
Species: Oryzorictes tetradactylus [DD] |
Four-toed Rice Tenrec |
Tenrecomorpha footnotes:
9. Revised by MacPhee (1987) American Museum Novitates (2889): 1-45.; reviewed in part by Jenkins, Goodman & Raxworthy (1996) Fieldiana, Zoology (85), pp. 191-217 and Jenkins, Raxworthy & Nussbaum (1997) Bull. nat. Hist. Mus. Lond. (Zool.) 63: 1 - 12. Note that one more new species description is in press (2006).
10. Recently described species - Goodman, S. M. & Soarimalala, V. (2004) Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington 117, 265-279. Goodman, S.M., Raxworthy, C. J., Maminirina, C.P. and Olson, L.E. 2006. A new species of shrew tenrec (Microgale jobihely) from northern Madagascar. Jour. of Zool., Lond. 270: 384-398.
11. Recognized as a distinct species by Olson, Goodman & Yoder (2004) Biol J Linn Soc 83: 1-22.
12. Recently described species - L. E. Olson, Z. Rakotomalala, K. B. P. Hildebrandt, C. Lanier, C. J. Raxworthy, AND S. M. Goodman. 2009. Phylogeography of Microgale brevicaudata (Tenrecidae) and Description of a New Species from Western Madagascar. Journal of Mammalogy 90:1095-1110.
Tenrecomorpha references:
Heim de Balsac H. and F. Bourlière. 1955. Ordre des Insectivores.Systématique. In P.-P. Grassé (ed.): Mammifères: anatomie, éthologie, systématique. Traité de Zoologie 17: 1653-1697. Masson, Paris.
Geogaline, Tenrecine and Oryzorctine classification:
Bronner, G.N. and P.D. Jenkins. 2005. Order Afrosoricida. Pp. 70-81. In Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition. Wilson, D. E. and D.M. Reeder (eds.). Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. 2142 pp.
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Order: Macroscelidea (18 species) |
Sengis or Elephant-shrews |
Family: Macroscelididae |
|
Subfamily: Rhynchocyoninae |
Giant Sengis |
Genus: Rhynchocyon |
|
Species: Rhynchocyon chrysopygus [EN] |
Golden-rumped Sengi |
Species: Rhynchocyon cirnei [NT] |
Chequered Sengi |
Species: Rhynchocyon petersi [VU] |
Black and Rufous Sengi or Zanj Sengi |
Species: Rhynchocyon udzungwensis [VU] |
Gray-faced sengi |
Subfamily: Macroscelidinae |
Soft-furred Sengis |
Genus: Petrodromus |
|
Species: Petrodromus tetradactylus [LC] |
Four-toed Sengi |
Genus: Macroscelides |
Round-eared Sengis |
Species: Macroscelides flavicaudatus |
Namib round-eared sengi |
Species: Macroscelides proboscideus |
Karoo round-eared sengi |
Genus: Elephantulus |
Long-eared Sengis |
Species: Elephantulus brachyrhynchus [LC] |
Short-snouted Sengi |
Species: Elephantulus edwardii [LC] |
Cape Sengi |
Species: Elephantulus fuscipes [DD] |
Dusky-footed Sengi |
Species: Elephantulus fuscus [DD] |
Dusky Sengi |
Species: Elephantulus intufi [LC] |
Bushveld Sengi |
Species: Elephantulus myurus [LC] |
Eastern Rock Sengi |
Species: Elephantulus pilicaudus [DD] |
Karoo Rock Sengi |
Species: Elephantulus revoili [DD] |
Somali Sengi |
Species: Elephantulus rozeti [LC] |
North African Sengi |
Species: Elephantulus rufescens [LC] |
Rufous Sengi |
Species: Elephantulus rupestris [LC] |
Western Rock Sengi |
Macroscelidea references:
Corbet, G.B. and J. Hanks. 1968. A revision of the elephant-shrews, Family Macroscelididae. Bulletin of the British Museum of Natural History, Zoological Series 16:1-111.
Corbet, G.B. 1971. Family Macroscelididae. Part 1.5, pp. 1-6 in J. Meester and H.W. Setzer (eds). The Mammals of Africa: An Identification Manual. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C.,
Dumbacher, J.P., G.B. Rathbun, H.A. Smit, and S.J. Eiseb. 2012. Phylogeny and taxonomy of the round-eared sengis or elephant-shrews, genus Macroscelides (Mammalia, Afrotheria, Macroscelidea). PLoS ONE 7(3):e32410 (12 pp + 4 pp. supplement table).
Rathbun, G.B. 2009. Why is there discordant diversity in sengi (Mammalia: Afrotheria: Macroscelidea) taxonomy and ecology? African Journal of Ecology 47:1-13.
Rathbun, G.B. and J. Kingdon. 2006. The etymology of “SENGI”. Afrotherian Conservation – Newsletter of the IUCN-SSC Afrotheria Specialist Group:4:14-15.
Rovero, F., G. B. Rathbun, A. Perkin, T. Jones, D. Ribble, C. Leonard, R. R. Mwakisoma, and N. Doggart. 2008. A new species of giant sengi or elephant-shrew (genus Rhynchocyon) highlights the exceptional biodiversity of the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania. Journal of Zoology, London 274:126-133.
Schlitter, D.A. 2005. Order Macroscelidea. Pp. 82-85 in Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition. Wilson, D. E. and D.M. Reeder (eds.). Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. 2142 pp.
Smit, H. A., T. J. Robinson, J. Watson, and B. Jansen van Vuuren. 2008. A new species of elephant- shrew (Afrotheria: Macroscelidea: Elephantulus) from South Africa. Journal of Mammalogy 89:1257-1269.
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Order: Tubulidentata (1 species) |
|
Family: Orycteropodidae |
|
Genus: Orycteropus |
|
Species: Orycteropus afer [LC] |
Aardvark |
Tubulidentata references:
Lehmann, T. 2009. Phylogeny and systematics of the Orycteropididae (Mammalia, Tubulidentata). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 155:649-702.
Meester, J. 1971. Order Tubulidentata.
Part 10, pp. 1-2 in J. Meester and H.W. Setzer (eds).
The Mammals of Africa: An Identification Manual. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C.,
Schlitter, D.A. 2005. Order Tubulidentata. Pp. 86 in Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition. Wilson, D. E. and D.M. Reeder (eds.). Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. 2142 pp.
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Order: Hyracoidea (4 species) |
Hyraxes or Dassies |
Family: Procaviidae |
|
Genus: Dendrohyrax |
Tree Hyraxes |
Species: Dendrohyrax arboreus [LC] |
Southern Tree Hyrax |
Species: Dendrohyrax dorsalis [LC] |
Western Tree Hyrax |
| Species: Dendrohyrax validus [LC] |
Eastern Tree Hyrax |
Genus: Heterohyrax |
|
Species: Heterohyrax brucei [LC] |
Yellow-spotted Hyrax |
Genus: Procavia |
|
Species: Procavia capensis [LC] |
Rock Hyrax |
Hyracoidea references:
Shoshani, J. 2005. Order Hyracoidea. Pp. 87-89 in Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition. Wilson, D. E. and D.M. Reeder (eds.). Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. 2142 pp.
Schlitter, D. A., 1993, Order Hyracoidea. In: Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (eds. D. E. Wilson & D. M. Reeder) (Second Edition).
Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D. C. pp. 373-374.
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IUCN/SSC Afrotheria Specialist Group
1 December 2009
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