Difference between revisions of "Soricomorpha" - New World Encyclopedia

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{{Taxobox
 
{{Taxobox
 
| name = Soricomorpha
 
| name = Soricomorpha
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| image = southern short-tailed shrew.jpg
 
| image = southern short-tailed shrew.jpg
 
| image_width = 250px
 
| image_width = 250px
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| image_caption = [[Southern Short-tailed Shrew]]
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| image_caption = [[Southern short-tailed shrew]]
 
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
 
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
 
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
 
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
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* [[Talpidae]]
 
* [[Talpidae]]
 
}}
 
}}
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'''Soricomorpha''' is an order of placental mammals that includes shrews (family [[Soricidae]]), [[mole (animal)|moles]] (family [[Talpidae]]), solenodons (family [[Solenodontidae]]), and members of the extinct family Nesophontidae. These families were originally placed in the now extinct order [[Insectivora]]. However, Soricomorpha is itself considered to be paraphyletic and many replace it with the order Eulipotyphla, with includes members of Soriciomorpha and the family Erinaceidae
+
'''Soricomorpha''' is an order of placental [[mammal]]s that includes the true shrews (family [[Soricidae]]); moles, shrew-moles, and desmans (family [[Talpidae]]); solenodons (family [[Solenodontidae]]), and members of the extinct family Nesophontidae. These families were originally placed in the now extinct order [[Insectivora]]. However, Soricomorpha is itself considered to be paraphyletic and often is replaced in taxonomic schemes with the order '''Eulipotyphla''', with includes members of Soriciomorpha and the family [[Erinaceidae]] ([[hedgehog]]s and [[gymnure]]s or moonrats).
  
 +
Members of this order (as well as the order Eulipotyphla) are small mammals with long, narrow, and pointed snouts, ranging in size from but 3 grams and 3.5 centimeters to over 60 centimeters and over 1 kilogram. Soricomorphs are found in all continents except Australia and Antarctica.
  
 +
Soricomorphs play key ecological roles in food chains, feeding on many [[invertebrate]]s (larval insects, [[earthworm]]s, [[snail]]s,) and small vertebrates (fish, frogs, lizards, mammals) as well as roots and plant parts and being preyed upon by many predators (mammals, birds, snakes). The fossorial nature of moles helps in aerating soils and they consume some invertebrate pests that damage agricultural and garden crops. Mole tunnels can be a disturbance for lawns, pastures, and golf courses.
  
−
The [[Order (biology)|order]] '''Soricomorpha''' ("shrew-form") is a [[taxon]] within the [[Class (biology)|class]] of [[mammal]]s. In previous years it formed a significant group within the former order [[Insectivora]]. However, that order was shown to be [[polyphyly|polyphyletic]] and various new orders were split off from it, including [[Afrosoricida]] ([[Tenrecidae|tenrecs]] and [[golden mole]]s), [[Elephant shrew|****Macrelidea]] (elephant shrews), and [[Erinaceidae|Erinaceomorpha]] ([[hedgehog]]s and [[gymnure]]s), leaving just four [[family (biology)|families]] as shown here, leaving Insectivora empty and disbanded.<ref name=msw3/>
+
==Classification==
 +
Soricomorpha includes the three extant families of Soricidae, Talpidae, and Solenodontidae, and the extinct family Nesophontidae. Soricidae (true shrews) is the family of Soricomopha with the most known species, with about 300 species. Talpidae (moles, shrew-moles,and desmans) has about 42 known species, and Solenodontidae (solenodons) has two known extant species and two known extinct species. The final family Nesophontidae (West Indies shrews) placed in this order is only known in the [[fossil]] record.  
 +
 
 +
In previous years, the soricomorphs formed a significant group within the former order [[Insectivora]]. However, that order was shown to be [[polyphyly|polyphyletic]] and various new orders were split off from it, including [[Afrosoricida]] ([[Tenrecidae|tenrecs]] and [[golden mole]]s), [[Elephant shrew|Macroscelidea]] (elephant shrews), and [[Erinaceidae|Erinaceomorpha]] ([[hedgehog]]s and [[gymnure]]s), leaving just the four [[family (biology)|families]], leaving Insectivora empty and disbanded.
  
−
Subsequently, Soricomorpha itself was shown to be [[paraphyly|paraphyletic]], because Soricidae shared a more recent common ancestor with Erinaceidae than with other soricomorphs.<ref name=Rocaetal04>{{cite journal | author = A. L. Roca, G. K. Bar-Gal, E. Eizirik, K. M. Helgen, R. Maria, M. S.  Springer, S. J. O'Brien, and W. J. Murphy | year = 2004 | title = Mesozoic origin for West Indian insectivores | journal = Nature | volume = 429 | issue = 6992| pages = 649–651 | url =  | doi = 10.1038/nature02597 | pmid = 15190349}}</ref> The combination of Soricomorpha and Erinaceidae, referred to as order '''[[Eulipotyphla]]''', has been shown to be monophyletic.<ref name=Beck>{{cite journal | author = Robin MD Beck, Olaf RP Bininda-Emonds, Marcel Cardillo, Fu-Guo Robert Liu and Andy Purvis | year = 2006 | title = A higher level MRP supertree of placental mammals | journal = BMC Evolutionary Biology | volume = 6 | url = http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2148/6/93 | doi = 10.1186/1471-2148-6-93 | pmid = 17101039 | pages = 93 | pmc = 1654192}}</ref>
+
Subsequently, Soricomorpha itself was shown to be [[paraphyly|paraphyletic]], because Soricidae shared a more recent common ancestor with Erinaceidae than with other soricomorphs (Roca et al. 2004). The combination of Soricomorpha and Erinaceidae, referred to as order '''[[Eulipotyphla]]''', has been shown to be monophyletic (Beck et al. 2006).
  
−
Living members of the order range in size from the [[Etruscan shrew]], at about 3.5 cm and 2 grams, to the [[Cuban solenodon]], at about 32 cm and 1 kg.
 
 
* '''ORDER SORICOMORPHA'''
 
* '''ORDER SORICOMORPHA'''
 
** '''Family [[Soricidae]]''' (shrews)
 
** '''Family [[Soricidae]]''' (shrews)
−
*** Subfamily [[Crocidurinae]]: {{Clarify|date=July 2013}} (white-toothed shrews)
+
*** Subfamily [[Crocidurinae]]:  (white-toothed shrews)
−
*** Subfamily [[Soricinae]]: {{Clarify|date=July 2013}} (red-toothed shrews)
+
*** Subfamily [[Soricinae]]:  (red-toothed shrews)
−
*** Subfamily [[Myosoricinae]]: {{Clarify|date=July 2013}} (African white-toothed shrews)
+
*** Subfamily [[Myosoricinae]]:  (African white-toothed shrews)
−
** '''Family [[Talpidae]]''': {{Clarify|date=July 2013}} ([[mole (animal)|moles]] and close relatives)
+
** '''Family [[Talpidae]]''':  ([[mole (animal)|moles]] and close relatives)
 
*** Subfamily [[Scalopinae]] (New World moles and close relatives)
 
*** Subfamily [[Scalopinae]] (New World moles and close relatives)
 
*** Subfamily [[Talpinae]] (Old World moles and close relatives)
 
*** Subfamily [[Talpinae]] (Old World moles and close relatives)
 
*** Subfamily [[Uropsilinae]] (Chinese shrew-like moles)
 
*** Subfamily [[Uropsilinae]] (Chinese shrew-like moles)
 
** '''Family [[Solenodontidae]]''': solenodons (rare primitive soricomorphs)
 
** '''Family [[Solenodontidae]]''': solenodons (rare primitive soricomorphs)
−
** '''Family † [[Nesophontidae]]''': West Indian shrews (extinct soricomorphs of the Caribbean)
+
** '''Family † [[Nesophontidae]]''': West Indian shrews (extinct soricomorphs of the Caribbean)
  
 +
==Description==
 +
Soricomorpha means "shrew-form" and members of this order are small, have long, slim, and pointed rostrums, small eyes and short or absent ear pinnae. The smallest member of this order, the pygmy white-toothed shrew or Etruscan shrew (''Suncus etruscus''), is but 3 grams in weight and about 3.5 centimeters in body size. On the other hand, Cuban solenodons can reach 60 centimeters in size. Most shrews are no bigger than 12.7 centimeters in length, excluding the length of their tail, while moles tend to range from 6.1 to 43.2 centimeters in body length. Shrews and solenodons have five-toed feet, while most moles have forelimbs modified for a fossorial life, such that they can "swim" through soil, while those moles those adapted to aquatic environments, such as desmans, have webbed feet. Moles fur is velvety and smooth (Patsy et al. 2014).
  
−
'''Eulipotyphla''' is an [[order (biology)|order]] of [[mammals]] suggested by molecular methods of [[phylogeny]] reconstruction, and including the members of the now-invalid order [[Insectivora]] except those in the order [[Afrosoricida]] (tenrecs and golden moles), i.e. comprising the [[solenodon]]s (family Soleodontidae); hedgehogs and gymnures (family [[Erinaceidae]]); desmans, moles, and shrew moles (family [[Talpidae]]); and true shrews (family [[Soricidae]]). True shrews and talpids form a monophyletic clade, sometimes referred to as an order, named [[Soricomorpha]].<ref name="Roca 2004">{{cite journal|last=Roca|first=Alfred L.|title=Mesozoic origin for West Indian insectivores|journal=Nature|date=10 June 2004|volume=429|issue=6992|pages=649–651|doi=10.1038/nature02597|pmid=15190349|url=http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v429/n6992/full/nature02597.html|accessdate=21 March 2014|last2=Kahila Bar-Gal|first2=Gila|last3=Eizirik|first3=Eduardo|last4=Helgen|first4=Kristofer M.|last5=Maria|first5=Roberto|last6=Springer|first6=Mark S.|last7=j. o'Brien|first7=Stephen|last8=Murphy|first8=William J.|bibcode=2004Natur.429..649R}}</ref>
+
Soricomorphs are found in all landmasses except those in the Australian and Antarctic regions. Desmans are found in Europe and Russia. Members of Solenodontidae and Talpidae are fossorial, with desmans being semi-aquatic, found in areas such as swamps, rivers, streams, ponds, and marshes, and even fast-moving water. Mole tunnels are normally 4 to 5 centimeters wide and some are as deep as 150 centimeters. Soricomorphs tend to be solitary and nocturnal (Patsy et al. 2014).
  
−
*Order [[Soricidae]]
+
Moles feed primarily on invertebrates such as insects, earthworms, and snails, but some aquatic species also prey upon fish and frogs. They also will eat things that fall into their tunnels and plant parts. Shrews consume insects, small vertebrates, fruit, and seeds, but also will eat lizards, frogs, small mammals, and other shrews. Solenodons each spiders, earthworms, insects, and other invertebrates found above ground, tending to root in the ground and tear through rotten logs; they also consume small amphibians and reptiles (Patsy et al. 2014).
−
**Family [[Talpidae]]
 
−
**Family [[Erinaceidae]]
 
−
*Family [[Solenodontidae]]
 
−
*Family [[Erinaceidae]]
 
−
*Family [[Talpidae]]
 
−
*Family [[Soricidae]]
 
−
}}
 
  
 +
The small size of soricomorphs has resulted in their need to consume considerable amounts of food. In particular, the small size of shrews and their inability to store fat well has resulted in their need to consume large amounts of food, daily consuming 80 to 90 percent of their body weight and some much more than this, even up to four times that amount. The Eurasian pygmy shrew (''Sorex minutus'') must eat virtually all the time (Patsy et al. 2014).
  
−
'''Erinaceidae''' is the only living family in the order '''Erinaceomorpha''', which has recently been subsumed with [[Soricomorpha]] into the order '''[[Eulipotyphla]]'''. Eulipotyphla has been shown to be [[monophyletic]];<ref name=Beck>{{cite journal | author = Robin MD Beck, Olaf RP Bininda-Emonds, Marcel Cardillo, Fu-Guo Robert Liu and Andy Purvis | year = 2006 | title = A higher level MRP supertree of placental mammals | journal = BMC Evolutionary Biology | volume = 6 | url = http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2148/6/93 | doi = 10.1186/1471-2148-6-93 | pmid = 17101039 | pages = 93 | pmc = 1654192}}</ref> Soricomorpha is [[paraphyly|paraphyletic]] because [[Soricidae]] shared a more recent common ancestor with Erinaceidae than with other soricomorphs.<ref name=Rocaetal04>{{cite journal | author = Roca, A.L., G.K. Bar-Gal, E. Eizirik, K.M. Helgen, R. Maria, M.S. Springer, S.J. O'Brien, and W.J. Murphy | year = 2004 | title = Mesozoic origin for West Indian insectivores | journal = Nature | volume = 429 | issue = 6992| pages = 649–651 | url =  | doi = 10.1038/nature02597 | pmid = 15190349}}</ref>
+
==References==
−
 
 
−
Erinaceidae contains the well-known [[hedgehog]]s (subfamily [[Erinaceinae]]) of Eurasia and Africa and the [[gymnure]]s or moonrats (subfamily [[Galericinae]]) of South-east Asia. This family was once considered part of the order [[Insectivora]], but that [[polyphyly|polyphyletic]] order is now considered defunct.<ref name=msw3/>
 
−
 
 
−
==Characteristics of Erinaceids==
 
−
Erinaceids are generally [[shrew]]-like in form, with long snouts and short tails. They are, however, much larger than shrews, ranging from 10–15&nbsp;cm in body length and 40-60&nbsp;grams in weight, in the case of the [[short-tailed gymnure]], up to 26–45&nbsp;cm and 1-1.4 kilograms in the [[Greater Moonrat]]. All but one species have five toes in each foot, in some cases with strong claws for digging, and they have large eyes and ears. Hedgehogs possess hair modified into sharp [[spine (zoology)|spines]] to form a protective covering over the upper body and flanks, while gymnures have only normal hair. Most species have anal [[scent gland]]s, but these are far better developed in gymnures, which can have a powerful odor.<ref name=EoM>{{cite book |editor=Macdonald, D.|author= Wroot, Andrew|year=1984 |title= The Encyclopedia of Mammals|publisher= Facts on File|location=New York|pages= 750–757|isbn= 0-87196-871-1}}</ref>
 
−
 
 
−
Erinaceids are [[omnivore|omnivorous]], with the major part of their diet consisting of insects, earthworms, and other small [[invertebrates]]. They also eat seeds and fruit, and occasionally bird's eggs, along with any [[carrion]] they come across. Their teeth are sharp and suited for impaling invertebrate prey. The [[dentition|dental formula]] for erinaceids is: {{DentalFormula|upper=2-3.1.4.3|lower=3.1.2-4.3}}
 
  
−
Hedgehogs are [[nocturnal]], but gymnures are less so, and may be active during the day. Many species live in simple burrows, while others construct temporary nests on the surface from leaves and grass, or shelter in hollow logs or similar hiding places. Erinaceids are solitary animals outside the breeding season, and the father plays no role in raising the young.<ref name=EoM/>
+
* Beck, R., O. Bininda-Emonds, M. Cardillo, F.-G. Liu, and A. Purvis. 2006. [http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2148/6/93 A higher level MRP supertree of placental mammals]. ''BMC Evolutionary Biology'' 6: 93.  PMID 17101039.
  
−
Female erinaceids give birth after a gestation period of around six to seven weeks. The young are born blind and hairless, although hedgehogs begin to sprout their spines within 36 hours of birth.
+
* Patsy, V., J. Song, R. Weber, and L. Siciliano Martina. 2014. http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Soricomorpha Soricomorpha]. ''Animal Diversity Web''. Retrieved May 31, 2014.
  
−
==Evolution==
+
* Roca, A. L., G. K. Bar-Gal, E. Eizirik, K. M. Helgen, R. Maria, M. S.  Springer, S. J. O'Brien, and W. J. Murphy. 2004. Mesozoic origin for West Indian insectivores. ''Nature'' 429(6992): 649–651. PMID 15190349.  
−
Erinaceids are a relatively primitive group of [[placental mammal]]s, having changed little since their origin in the [[Eocene]]. The so-called 'giant hedgehog' (actually a [[gymnure]]) ''[[Deinogalerix]]'', from the [[Miocene]] of [[Gargano Island]] (part of modern [[Italy]]), was the size of a large rabbit, and may have eaten vertebrate prey or carrion, rather than insects.<ref name=MamEv>{{cite book |author= Savage, RJG, & Long, MR|year=1986 |title= Mammal Evolution: an illustrated guide|publisher= Facts on File|location=New York|pages= 48–49|isbn= 0-8160-1194-X}}</ref>
 
  
−
==Classification==
 
−
There are 12 described genera and 43 described species of erinaceid.
 
−
 
−
*'''ORDER ERINACEOMORPHA'''
 
−
**†Family [[Amphilemuridae]]
 
−
***†Genus [[Alsaticopithecus]]
 
−
***†Genus [[Amphilemur]]
 
−
***†Genus [[Gesneropithex]]
 
−
***†Genus [[Macrocranion]]
 
−
***†Genus [[Pholidocercus]]
 
−
**'''Family Erinaceidae'''
 
−
*** Subfamily [[Erinaceinae]] (Hedgehogs)
 
−
**** †Genus ''[[Amphechinus]]''
 
−
***** †''Amphechinus akespensis''
 
−
***** †''Amphechinus arverniensis''
 
−
***** †''Amphechinus baudelotae''
 
−
***** †''Amphechinus edwardsi''
 
−
***** †''Amphechinus ginsburgi''
 
−
***** †''Amphechinus golpeae''
 
−
***** †''Amphechinus horncloudi''
 
−
***** †''Amphechinus intermedius''
 
−
***** †''Amphechinus kreuzae''
 
−
***** †''Amphechinus major''
 
−
***** †''Amphechinus microdus''
 
−
***** †''Amphechinus minutissimus''
 
−
***** †''Amphechinus robinsoni''
 
−
***** †''Amphechinus taatsiingolensis''
 
−
**** Genus ''[[Atelerix]]''
 
−
***** [[Four-toed hedgehog]], ''Atelerix albiventris''
 
−
***** [[North African hedgehog]], ''Atelerix algirus''
 
−
***** [[Southern African hedgehog]], ''Atelerix frontalis''
 
−
***** [[Somali hedgehog]], ''Atelerix sclateri''
 
−
**** Genus ''[[Erinaceus]]''
 
−
***** [[Amur hedgehog]], ''Erinaceus amurensis''
 
−
***** [[Southern white-breasted hedgehog]], ''Erinaceus concolor''
 
−
***** [[European hedgehog]], ''Erinaceus europaeus''
 
−
***** [[Northern white-breasted hedgehog]], ''Erinaceus roumanicus''
 
−
**** Genus ''[[Hemiechinus]]''
 
−
***** [[Long-eared hedgehog]], ''Hemiechinus auritus''
 
−
***** [[Indian long-eared hedgehog]], ''Hemiechinus collaris''
 
−
**** Genus ''[[Mesechinus]]''
 
−
***** [[Daurian hedgehog]], ''Mesechinus dauuricus''
 
−
***** [[Hugh's hedgehog]], ''Mesechinus hughi''
 
−
**** Genus ''[[Paraechinus]]''
 
−
***** [[Desert hedgehog]], ''Paraechinus aethiopicus''
 
−
***** [[Brandt's hedgehog]], ''Paraechinus hypomelas''
 
−
***** [[Indian hedgehog]], ''Paraechinus micropus ''
 
−
***** [[Bare-bellied hedgehog]], ''Paraechinus nudiventris''
 
−
*** Subfamily [[Galericinae]] (Gymnures, or Moonrats)
 
−
**** †Genus ''[[Deinogalerix]]''
 
−
***** †''Deinogalerix brevirostris''
 
−
***** †''Deinogalerix freudenthali''
 
−
***** †''Deinogalerix intermedius''
 
−
***** †''Deinogalerix koenigswaldi''
 
−
***** †''Deinogalerix minor''
 
−
**** Genus ''[[Echinosorex]]''
 
−
***** [[Greater Moonrat]], ''Echinosorex gymnura''
 
−
**** Genus ''[[Hylomys]]''
 
−
***** [[Long-eared gymnure]], ''Hylomys megalotis''
 
−
***** [[Dwarf gymnure]], ''Hylomys parvus''
 
−
***** [[Short-tailed gymnure]] or Lesser Moonrat, ''Hylomys suillus''
 
−
**** Genus ''[[Neohylomys]]''
 
−
***** [[Hainan gymnure]], ''Neonylomys hainanensis''
 
−
**** Genus ''[[Neotetracus]]''
 
−
***** [[Shrew gymnure]], ''Neotetracus sinensis''
 
−
**** Genus ''[[Podogymnura]]''
 
−
***** [[Dinagat gymnure]], ''Podogymnura aureospinula''
 
−
***** [[Mindanao gymnure]], ''Podogymnura truei''
 
−
 
−
 
−
Patsy, V.; J. Song; R. Weber and L. Siciliano Martina 2014. "Soricomorpha" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed May 31, 2014 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Soricomorpha/
 
−
Soricomorphainsectivores
 
−
Vincent Adam Patsy; Jane Yaewon Song; Robin Elizabeth Weber; Leila Siciliano Martina
 
−
 
−
 
−
 
−
==References==
 
−
{{Reflist}}
 
  
−
{{Soricomorpha}}
 
 
{{Mammals}}
 
{{Mammals}}
  
−
{{portal|Animal|Mammal}}
 
  
 
[[Category:Life sciences]]
 
[[Category:Life sciences]]

Latest revision as of 17:13, 1 June 2014

Soricomorpha
Fossil range: Middle Eocene–Recent
Southern short-tailed shrew
Southern short-tailed shrew
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Infraclass: Eutheria
Magnorder: Boreoeutheria
Superorder: Laurasiatheria
Order: Soricomorpha
Gregory, 1910
Families

Soricomorpha is an order of placental mammals that includes the true shrews (family Soricidae); moles, shrew-moles, and desmans (family Talpidae); solenodons (family Solenodontidae), and members of the extinct family Nesophontidae. These families were originally placed in the now extinct order Insectivora. However, Soricomorpha is itself considered to be paraphyletic and often is replaced in taxonomic schemes with the order Eulipotyphla, with includes members of Soriciomorpha and the family Erinaceidae (hedgehogs and gymnures or moonrats).

Members of this order (as well as the order Eulipotyphla) are small mammals with long, narrow, and pointed snouts, ranging in size from but 3 grams and 3.5 centimeters to over 60 centimeters and over 1 kilogram. Soricomorphs are found in all continents except Australia and Antarctica.

Soricomorphs play key ecological roles in food chains, feeding on many invertebrates (larval insects, earthworms, snails,) and small vertebrates (fish, frogs, lizards, mammals) as well as roots and plant parts and being preyed upon by many predators (mammals, birds, snakes). The fossorial nature of moles helps in aerating soils and they consume some invertebrate pests that damage agricultural and garden crops. Mole tunnels can be a disturbance for lawns, pastures, and golf courses.

Classification

Soricomorpha includes the three extant families of Soricidae, Talpidae, and Solenodontidae, and the extinct family Nesophontidae. Soricidae (true shrews) is the family of Soricomopha with the most known species, with about 300 species. Talpidae (moles, shrew-moles,and desmans) has about 42 known species, and Solenodontidae (solenodons) has two known extant species and two known extinct species. The final family Nesophontidae (West Indies shrews) placed in this order is only known in the fossil record.

In previous years, the soricomorphs formed a significant group within the former order Insectivora. However, that order was shown to be polyphyletic and various new orders were split off from it, including Afrosoricida (tenrecs and golden moles), Macroscelidea (elephant shrews), and Erinaceomorpha (hedgehogs and gymnures), leaving just the four families, leaving Insectivora empty and disbanded.

Subsequently, Soricomorpha itself was shown to be paraphyletic, because Soricidae shared a more recent common ancestor with Erinaceidae than with other soricomorphs (Roca et al. 2004). The combination of Soricomorpha and Erinaceidae, referred to as order Eulipotyphla, has been shown to be monophyletic (Beck et al. 2006).

  • ORDER SORICOMORPHA
    • Family Soricidae (shrews)
      • Subfamily Crocidurinae:  (white-toothed shrews)
      • Subfamily Soricinae:  (red-toothed shrews)
      • Subfamily Myosoricinae:  (African white-toothed shrews)
    • Family Talpidae:  (moles and close relatives)
      • Subfamily Scalopinae (New World moles and close relatives)
      • Subfamily Talpinae (Old World moles and close relatives)
      • Subfamily Uropsilinae (Chinese shrew-like moles)
    • Family Solenodontidae: solenodons (rare primitive soricomorphs)
    • Family † Nesophontidae: West Indian shrews (extinct soricomorphs of the Caribbean)

Description

Soricomorpha means "shrew-form" and members of this order are small, have long, slim, and pointed rostrums, small eyes and short or absent ear pinnae. The smallest member of this order, the pygmy white-toothed shrew or Etruscan shrew (Suncus etruscus), is but 3 grams in weight and about 3.5 centimeters in body size. On the other hand, Cuban solenodons can reach 60 centimeters in size. Most shrews are no bigger than 12.7 centimeters in length, excluding the length of their tail, while moles tend to range from 6.1 to 43.2 centimeters in body length. Shrews and solenodons have five-toed feet, while most moles have forelimbs modified for a fossorial life, such that they can "swim" through soil, while those moles those adapted to aquatic environments, such as desmans, have webbed feet. Moles fur is velvety and smooth (Patsy et al. 2014).

Soricomorphs are found in all landmasses except those in the Australian and Antarctic regions. Desmans are found in Europe and Russia. Members of Solenodontidae and Talpidae are fossorial, with desmans being semi-aquatic, found in areas such as swamps, rivers, streams, ponds, and marshes, and even fast-moving water. Mole tunnels are normally 4 to 5 centimeters wide and some are as deep as 150 centimeters. Soricomorphs tend to be solitary and nocturnal (Patsy et al. 2014).

Moles feed primarily on invertebrates such as insects, earthworms, and snails, but some aquatic species also prey upon fish and frogs. They also will eat things that fall into their tunnels and plant parts. Shrews consume insects, small vertebrates, fruit, and seeds, but also will eat lizards, frogs, small mammals, and other shrews. Solenodons each spiders, earthworms, insects, and other invertebrates found above ground, tending to root in the ground and tear through rotten logs; they also consume small amphibians and reptiles (Patsy et al. 2014).

The small size of soricomorphs has resulted in their need to consume considerable amounts of food. In particular, the small size of shrews and their inability to store fat well has resulted in their need to consume large amounts of food, daily consuming 80 to 90 percent of their body weight and some much more than this, even up to four times that amount. The Eurasian pygmy shrew (Sorex minutus) must eat virtually all the time (Patsy et al. 2014).

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Roca, A. L., G. K. Bar-Gal, E. Eizirik, K. M. Helgen, R. Maria, M. S. Springer, S. J. O'Brien, and W. J. Murphy. 2004. Mesozoic origin for West Indian insectivores. Nature 429(6992): 649–651. PMID 15190349.


Mammals
Monotremata (platypus, echidnas)

Marsupialia: | Paucituberculata (shrew opossums) | Didelphimorphia (opossums) | Microbiotheria | Notoryctemorphia (marsupial moles) | Dasyuromorphia (quolls and dunnarts) | Peramelemorphia (bilbies, bandicoots) | Diprotodontia (kangaroos and relatives)

Placentalia: Cingulata (armadillos) | Pilosa (anteaters, sloths) | Afrosoricida (tenrecs, golden moles) | Macroscelidea (elephant shrews) | Tubulidentata (aardvark) | Hyracoidea (hyraxes) | Proboscidea (elephants) | Sirenia (dugongs, manatees) | Soricomorpha (shrews, moles) | Erinaceomorpha (hedgehogs and relatives) Chiroptera (bats) | Pholidota (pangolins)| Carnivora | Perissodactyla (odd-toed ungulates) | Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates) | Cetacea (whales, dolphins) | Rodentia (rodents) | Lagomorpha (rabbits and relatives) | Scandentia (treeshrews) | Dermoptera (colugos) | Primates |


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