Soricidae
Author
Russell A. Mittermeier
Author
Don E. Wilson
text
2018
2018-07-31
Lynx Edicions
Barcelona
Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 8 Insectivores, Sloths and Colugos
332
551
book chapter
http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6870843
978-84-16728-08-4
6870843
410.
Savanna White-toothed Swamp Shrew
Crocidura longipes
French:
Crocidure a pattes longues
/
German:
Feuchtsavannen-Weif3zahnspitzmaus
/
Spanish:
Musarana de ciénaga
y sabana
Other common names:
Long-footed Shrew
,
Savanna Swamp Shrew
Taxonomy.
Crocidura longipes Hutterer & Happold, 1983
,
Dada
,
11°34’N
,
04°29’E
,
Nigeria
.
There has been no new specimens of C.
longipes
collected since 1967-1968 (type series). Its relationship to other species of
Crocidura
is not known. Monotypic.
Distribution.
Known only from two swamp areas near Kainji National Park (Dada and Iella) in W Nigeria. The Savanna Whitetoothed Swamp Shrew is probably not widely distributed.
Descriptive notes.
Head-body 95-111 mm, tail 56-69 mm, ear 10-12 mm, hindfoot 18-19 mm; weight 15-24 g. Condylo-incisive lengths are 24-2-25-4 mm. The Savanna White-toothed Swamp Shrew is very large, with very long hindfeet (c.17% of headbody length) and sparsely haired tail. Dorsal and ventral pelage, forefeet, and hindfeet are uniformly dark brown. Tail is medium in length, brown, and sparsely haired (pilosity not known). It has longer hindfeet than other dark brown species of
Crocidura
from Nigeria, except those of the Nigerian White-toothed Shrew (
C. nigeriae
) and the Large-headed White-toothed Shrew (
C. grandiceps
), which can overlap. Skull of the Large-headed White-toothed Shrew is larger than in the other two shrews. Skulls of the Savanna White-toothed Swamp Shrew and the Nigerian White-toothed Shrew are of similar in size but not in proportions. Compared with the Nigerian White-toothed Shrew, skull of the Savanna White-toothed Swamp Shrew is more pointed, as expressed by narrowness ofits rostrum, with maxillary and interorbital constriction. Dentition is much weaker in the Savanna White-toothed Swamp Shrew, and tooth rows are shorter than in the Nigerian White-toothed Shrew. Skull is long and pointed, and interorbital and maxillary region are narrow. Rostrum is long and narrow. Dentition is weak, particularly upper molars. Mandible is lightly built, with long and thin angular process.
Habitat.
Swampy areas with tall grasses (1-2 m high) and palm trees and other scattered trees (6-12 m high). The Savanna White-toothed Swamp Shrew can occur in other swamps along major river systems in Guinea Savanna.
Food and Feeding.
No information.
Breeding.
No information.
Activity patterns.
No information.
Movements, Home range and Social organization.
The Savanna White-toothed Swamp Shrew is syntopic with the African Giant White-toothed Shrew (
C. olivieri
) in one swamp (Dada).
Status and Conservation.
Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List. There is no recent information on extent of occurrence, status, taxonomy, population status, and ecological requirements of the Savanna White-toothed Swamp Shrew. It might be threatened byits restricted distribution and affected by habitat loss, rapid rate of urbanization, logging, and construction of dams. No known conservation measures are in place and additional studies are needed. Research priorities include surveys of swamp habitats and genetic studies comparing the Savanna White-toothed Swamp Shrew with Fox’s White-toothed Shrew (
C. foxi
) and Therese’s White-toothed Shrew (
C. theresae
) in West Africa.
Bibliography.
Gerrie & Kennerley (2016s), Happold (1987 2013g), Hutterer (2005b), Hutterer & Happold (1983), Nicoll & Rathbun (1990).