Microgale jenkinsae
| Jenkins' shrew tenrec | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Superorder: | Afrotheria |
| Order: | Afrosoricida |
| Suborder: | Tenrecomorpha |
| Family: | Tenrecidae |
| Genus: | Microgale |
| Species: | M. jenkinsae |
| Binomial name | |
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Microgale jenkinsae Goodman & Soarimalala, 2004 |
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Jenkins' shrew tenrec (Microgale jenkinsae) is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland. It is threatened by habitat loss.
The Jenkins' Shrew Tenrec is extremely small, 143-147mm with the tail being 71-81mm . Its fur is extremely dense, with the top of it being tannish-brown with darker flecks from their agouti gene. On the bottom it is a paler grizzled slate-gray. The tail of this Tenrec is dark brown on the top, and much lighter on the bottom.
The Jenkins' Shrew Tenrec is geographically isolated to the Mikea Region between Morombe and Manobo River in Southwest Madagascar . Jenkins' Shrew Tenrecs are generally found in forest habitats. The forest of this region grows on sandy soil and in a semi-arid climate with annual precipitation as low as 350 mm. The canopy, which rarely exceeds twelve meters in height, is less tall than that of the inland forests and of those further north. Its habitat exhibits a tropical dry climate with a distinct dry season between May and October. During the wet season, November to April, rainfall may reach 750 millimetres (mm), within a yearly range of 575 mm to 1330 mm. The annual average daily temperature for the region is between 25 °C and 31 °C.
The Mikea forest is threatened by both intentional burning for expansion of agricultural lands and unintentional wildfires as well as deforestation for commodity lumber. The overexploitation of trees is a major factor to the ecology of the mike forest because many trees here are in high demand in the construction industry. These trees include the Givotia madagascariense, Cedrelopsis grevei, and Commifora arofy. All are endemic to Madagascar and the high demand for them in the construction industry directly threatens the ecology of the Mikea forest.
The Jenkins' Shrew Tenrec's main threat is habitat loss from wildfires and intentional burning and thus steps must be taken to ensure that the Mikea Forest is not completely lost. It is not currently within a protected area, however, the Mikea Forest is in the process of becoming a protected area. Further research is needed into the population, biology, ecology, range and adaptation to disturbance. Currently research is being conducted to determine possible solutions to minimize deforestation in the region. Organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund are concerned with the conservation of the Jenkins' Shrew Tenrec's habitat because it is also home to a plethora of other species.
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Wikipedia