Meet the Eastern Forest Hedgehog, the newest species of hedgehog to be discovered. This small, spiky mammal is found in eastern China, particularly in Anhui and Zhejiang provinces.
In 2018, researchers came across this previously unidentified species while initially mistaking it for another species, Hugh’s hedgehog (Mesechinus hugi). However, further investigation revealed that the DNA of the new hedgehog did not match that of Hugh’s hedgehog, leading to the discovery of a new species.
After collecting six more hedgehogs from different provinces in China and comparing their appearance and DNA to known species, the research team confirmed the discovery of a new hedgehog species, officially named Mesechinus orientalis or Eastern Forest Hedgehog.
According to Kai He and his team from Guangzhou University, this new species brought the total number of known hedgehog species to 19. Kevin Campbell from the University of Manitoba, Canada, believes that the vast and varied landscape of China has contributed to the emergence of new species in the region.
The Eastern Forest Hedgehog is smaller than other Mesechinus species, with distinct differences in its teeth shape, skull structure, and spine length. He further highlights the importance of understanding the range of small mammal species for conservation efforts.
Source: www.snexplores.org
