Chrysochloridae 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 180 203 book chapter 68525 10.5281/zenodo.6624497 52fefc99-36df-46d7-91e8-51e724bae638 978-84-16728-08-4 6624497 13. Duthie’s Golden Mole Chlorotalpa duthieae French: Taupe-dorée de Duthie / German: Duthie-Goldmull / Spanish: Topo dorado de Duthie Taxonomy. Chrysochloris duthieae Broom, 1907 , Knysna, Western Cape Province, South Africa . Although C. duthieae is considered subspe- cifically distinct from C. sclateri by some authors, it is now considered a distinct species due to consistent differences in pelage color, chromosomal properties, malleus morphology, and habitat selection. Monotypic. Distribution. Endemic to S South Africa, occurring along coast between George and Port Elizabeth, Western and Eastern Cape provinces, respectively; found in two subpopulations. Descriptive notes. Head-body 95-125 mm (males) and 96-130 mm (females), hindfoot 9-14 mm (males) and 9-13 mm (females); weight 26-41 g (males) and 20-27 g (females). Cranial measurements show sexual dimorphism, with males larger than females. Duthie’s Golden Mole is small and slender. Dorsum is reddish black or brownish black, with green sheen; throat and chest are grayish; and muzzle is paler. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 30 and FN = 60. Habitat. Afro-montane and coastal forests, suburban gardens, and pasturelands, using alluvial sands and sandy loams. Food and Feeding. Limited observations indicate that Duthie’s Golden Mole forages in subsurface tunnels and leaflitter; it mostly eats earthworms. Breeding. One pregnant female and two male Duthie’s Golden Moles with enlarged testes were recorded in November. Litters have two young. Activity patterns. Duthie’s Golden Moles are mostly nocturnal. Movements, Home range and Social organization. Duthie’s Golden Mole moves through shallow subsurface tunnels that radiate from nests under tree roots. Adults are solitary. Status and Conservation. Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List. Duthie’s Golden Mole has a small extent of occurrence (known from only nine locations) and is facing apparent decline in extent of suitable habitat. It is increasingly threatened by habitat loss due to development of coastal tourism resorts and urban sprawl. Bibliography. Bronner (1995b, 2013b), Bronner & Bennett (2016b).