Brazilian shrew mouse Temporal range:
Pleistocene – Recent
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Scientific classification
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Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Rodentia |
Family: | Cricetidae |
Subfamily: | Sigmodontinae |
Tribe: | Akodontini |
Genus: |
Blarinomys Thomas, 1896 |
Species: | B. breviceps
|
Binomial name | |
Blarinomys breviceps (
Winge, 1888)
|
The Brazilian shrew mouse (Blarinomys breviceps), [2] also known as the blarinine akodont, [3] is a rodent in the tribe Akodontini from the Atlantic Forest of eastern and southeastern Brazil. [1] It is the only species in the genus Blarinomys. [3] Phylogenetic analysis suggest that there are two clear geographical clades, a northeastern and southeastern. [4]
The appearance of the Brazilian shrew mouse is often compared to that of small insectivorous shrews or moles with small, reduced eyes, short ears and tail, and short, soft fur. [5] Its mole-like appearance contributes to its ability to be differentiated from other rodents in its Neotropical habitat. [6] Overall, its specialized body structure lends itself to the animal's subterranean life, with broad forefeet and large claws for digging. [7] It has a long snout that is used to find insects in the ground and highly developed jaw muscles that help to close the mouth quickly, as to avoid swallowing dirt. [5] The species has demonstrated sexual dimorphism in that females are usually slightly larger than males. [6]
The average lifespan of the Brazilian shrew mouse is unknown, as they are difficult to find. Captive specimens tend to refuse food and die shortly after capture. [6] It is generally assumed that the species' lifespan is similar to other Sigmodontinae rodents, which is typically less than one year. [8][ page needed]
Very little is known about the diet of B. breviceps, however it is assumed to be primarily insectivorous. When studied in captivity, many specimens refuse food and die within a few days. However, some captive organisms have been shown to eat a variety of insects including crickets, moths and butterflies, and roaches. Overall, they tend to refuse other food sources such as fruits or seeds. [6]
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Endangered Species, the Brazilian shrew mouse is considered of least concern. [1] However, some experts suggest that since the species is so difficult to find, data is insufficient to confidently label their conservation status. [9]
Brazilian shrew mouse Temporal range:
Pleistocene – Recent
| |
---|---|
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Rodentia |
Family: | Cricetidae |
Subfamily: | Sigmodontinae |
Tribe: | Akodontini |
Genus: |
Blarinomys Thomas, 1896 |
Species: | B. breviceps
|
Binomial name | |
Blarinomys breviceps (
Winge, 1888)
|
The Brazilian shrew mouse (Blarinomys breviceps), [2] also known as the blarinine akodont, [3] is a rodent in the tribe Akodontini from the Atlantic Forest of eastern and southeastern Brazil. [1] It is the only species in the genus Blarinomys. [3] Phylogenetic analysis suggest that there are two clear geographical clades, a northeastern and southeastern. [4]
The appearance of the Brazilian shrew mouse is often compared to that of small insectivorous shrews or moles with small, reduced eyes, short ears and tail, and short, soft fur. [5] Its mole-like appearance contributes to its ability to be differentiated from other rodents in its Neotropical habitat. [6] Overall, its specialized body structure lends itself to the animal's subterranean life, with broad forefeet and large claws for digging. [7] It has a long snout that is used to find insects in the ground and highly developed jaw muscles that help to close the mouth quickly, as to avoid swallowing dirt. [5] The species has demonstrated sexual dimorphism in that females are usually slightly larger than males. [6]
The average lifespan of the Brazilian shrew mouse is unknown, as they are difficult to find. Captive specimens tend to refuse food and die shortly after capture. [6] It is generally assumed that the species' lifespan is similar to other Sigmodontinae rodents, which is typically less than one year. [8][ page needed]
Very little is known about the diet of B. breviceps, however it is assumed to be primarily insectivorous. When studied in captivity, many specimens refuse food and die within a few days. However, some captive organisms have been shown to eat a variety of insects including crickets, moths and butterflies, and roaches. Overall, they tend to refuse other food sources such as fruits or seeds. [6]
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Endangered Species, the Brazilian shrew mouse is considered of least concern. [1] However, some experts suggest that since the species is so difficult to find, data is insufficient to confidently label their conservation status. [9]