Uropsilinae
Encyclopedia
The Uropsilinae are shrew-like members of the mole family
endemic to the forest
ed, high-alpine region bordering China
, Myanmar
, and Vietnam
. They possess a long snout, a long slender tail, external ears, and small forefeet unspecialized for burrowing. Although they are similar to shrew
s in size, external appearance, and, presumably, ecological habits, they are nevertheless Talpids
and considered True Moles.
Uropsilinae form one of the three main subfamilies of the mole family
, the other two being Talpinae
, or Old World moles and relatives; and the Scalopinae
, or New World Moles. There is only one basic type, or genus, of Shrew-like moles: the Uropsilus, of which four distinct species have been definitively identified:
Although each species' official English common name still calls them "shrew moles", the Uropsilinae today are referred to as "shrew-like moles" in order to distinguish them from the original Shrew Mole (Neurotrichus gibbsii), and the Urotrichini
, or Japanese Shrew Moles, both of which are morphologically quite different from the Uropsilinae and are Old World Moles. As a result, the term "Shrew-like moles" has become the term used to refer to the Uropsilinae in general, while specific species are still called "shrew moles".
Although little is currently known regarding any aspect of their natural history, Uropsilinae are thought to be the most ancestral group of moles, and as such, very similar to the primitive talpid from which all talpidae have descended.
Talpidae
The family Talpidae includes the moles, shrew moles, desmans, and other intermediate forms of small insectivorous mammals of the order Soricomorpha...
endemic to the forest
Forest
A forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...
ed, high-alpine region bordering China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, Myanmar
Myanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
, and Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
. They possess a long snout, a long slender tail, external ears, and small forefeet unspecialized for burrowing. Although they are similar to shrew
Shrew
A shrew or shrew mouse is a small molelike mammal classified in the order Soricomorpha. True shrews are also not to be confused with West Indies shrews, treeshrews, otter shrews, or elephant shrews, which belong to different families or orders.Although its external appearance is generally that of...
s in size, external appearance, and, presumably, ecological habits, they are nevertheless Talpids
Talpidae
The family Talpidae includes the moles, shrew moles, desmans, and other intermediate forms of small insectivorous mammals of the order Soricomorpha...
and considered True Moles.
Uropsilinae form one of the three main subfamilies of the mole family
Talpidae
The family Talpidae includes the moles, shrew moles, desmans, and other intermediate forms of small insectivorous mammals of the order Soricomorpha...
, the other two being Talpinae
Talpinae
The subfamily Talpinae, sometimes called "Old World moles" or "Old World moles and relatives", is one of three subfamilies of the mole family Talpidae, the others being the Scalopinae, or New World moles, and the Uropsilinae, or shrew-like moles....
, or Old World moles and relatives; and the Scalopinae
Scalopinae
The Scalopinae, or New World moles, are one of three subfamilies of the Talpidae family, which consists of moles and mole-like animals; the other two subfamilies being the Old World Talpids and the Chinese Shrew-like Moles...
, or New World Moles. There is only one basic type, or genus, of Shrew-like moles: the Uropsilus, of which four distinct species have been definitively identified:
- Anderson's Shrew MoleAnderson's Shrew MoleThe Anderson's Shrew Mole is a species of mammal in the Talpidae family. It is endemic to China.-References:* Insectivore Specialist Group 1996. . Downloaded on 30 July 2007....
(Uropsilus andersoni) - Gracile Shrew MoleGracile Shrew MoleThe Gracile Shrew Mole is a species of mammal in the Talpidae family. It is found in China and Myanmar.-References:* Insectivore Specialist Group 1996. . Downloaded on 30 July 2007....
(Uropsilus gracilis) - Inquisitive Shrew MoleInquisitive Shrew MoleThe Inquisitive Shrew Mole is a species of mammal in the Talpidae family. It is endemic to the Yunnan province of China, although its range is thought to extend over the border into Burma.-Source:...
(Uropsilus investigator) - Chinese Shrew MoleChinese Shrew MoleThe Chinese Shrew Mole is a species of mammal in the Talpidae family. It is endemic to China, Sichuan Province. Its natural habitat is temperate forests.-References:* EDGE...
(Uropsilus soricipes)
Although each species' official English common name still calls them "shrew moles", the Uropsilinae today are referred to as "shrew-like moles" in order to distinguish them from the original Shrew Mole (Neurotrichus gibbsii), and the Urotrichini
Urotrichini
Urotrichini are Japanese and American shrew-moles belonging to the Old World Moles and Relatives branch of the mole family. There are only three species, each of which represents its own genus. The name "Shrew-moles" refers to their morphological resemblance to shrews, while generally being thought...
, or Japanese Shrew Moles, both of which are morphologically quite different from the Uropsilinae and are Old World Moles. As a result, the term "Shrew-like moles" has become the term used to refer to the Uropsilinae in general, while specific species are still called "shrew moles".
Although little is currently known regarding any aspect of their natural history, Uropsilinae are thought to be the most ancestral group of moles, and as such, very similar to the primitive talpid from which all talpidae have descended.