Five new species of hedgehogs have been discovered by scientists in Southeast Asia.
These are all types of hedgehogs that have soft, spineless fur, and are more hairy than spiny.
Two of the species discovered by researchers are completely new, and the remaining three are subspecies that have been upgraded to species level.
Researchers at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History used DNA to identify different genetic lineages, which were later confirmed as different species by comparison with museum specimens.
One completely new species, Hylomys vorax, is found in the rainforest on the slopes of Mount Leuser in northern Sumatra.
It is approximately 12 cm (4.7 inches) long, has dark brown fur, a very thin snout, and a completely black tail.
Another completely new species, the H. macaron hedgehog, also has dark brown fur, but is larger than the Hylomys vorax hedgehog, at about 14 cm (5.5 inches) long.
Found in southern rainforests. Vietnam Males of this species have long fang-like incisors, hence their name from the Vietnamese word for vampire (Ma cà rồng).
The researchers said further research would be needed to determine what purpose the tusks serve.
Lead author Dr. Arlo Hinckley said the findings “highlight that even in well-studied animal groups like mammals, there are discoveries still waiting to be discovered.”
The other three new species were previously considered subspecies of Hylomys suillus but have now been elevated to species in their own right and have been named H. dorsalis, H. Maxi, and H. peguensis. Masu.
The H. dorsalis hedgehog is found in the mountains of northern Borneo, and the H. maxi hedgehog is found in the mountains of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula.
Both are about 14 cm long, but H. dorsalis has a prominent black strike that starts at the head and reaches the middle of the body.
The H. pegwensis species is small, usually about 13 cm (5 inches) long, and has slightly more yellow fur than other species.
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It is found in many countries in Southeast Asia, especially Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar.
Each of the five species are active during the day and night and, like all other hedgehog species, are omnivorous. They probably eat a mixture of insects and other invertebrates, and fruit whenever possible.
Dr Hinckley said: “Based on field observations and the lifestyle habits of their relatives, these hedgehogs tend to forage in hollow areas, foraging among tree roots, fallen logs, rocks, grassy areas, undergrowth and leaf litter. It is highly likely that they build nests and hide.
“But they are so poorly studied that we are limited in speculating about the details of their natural history.”
Source: news.sky.com
