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Afrosoricida is an order of placental mammals.Members of this order are called afrosoricids, and include golden moles, otter shrews, and tenrecs.They are found in Africa, generally in forests, but also inland wetlands, shrublands, and grasslands.
A tenrec (/ ˈ t ɛ n r ɛ k /) is a mammal belonging to any species within the afrotherian family Tenrecidae, which is endemic to Madagascar. [2] Tenrecs are a very diverse group; as a result of adaptive radiation and exhibit convergent evolution , [ 3 ] some resemble hedgehogs , shrews , opossums , rats , and mice .
As a rule, tenrecs and otter shrews tend to be small animals varying from 4 cm to 39 cm in length. There is no pronounced body type since they have evolved to occupy a number of small-bodied, faunivorous niches in Madagascar (tenrecines) and mainland Africa (potamogalines).
Tenrecinae is a tenrec subfamily endemic to the island of Madagascar. [1] It contains the largest species in the family, Tenrec ecaudatus. [2] All members of the genus possess spines, analogous to those of hedgehogs, for defense against predators.
Tenrecomorpha is the suborder of otter shrews and tenrecs, a group of afrotherian mammals indigenous to equatorial Africa and Madagascar, respectively. [2] [3] The two families are thought to have split about 47–53 million years ago. [3] [4] [5] Potamogalid otter shrews were formerly considered a subfamily of Tenrecidae. [3]
The tailless tenrec (Tenrec ecaudatus), also known as the common tenrec, is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is the only member of the genus Tenrec . Native to Madagascar , it is also found on the Comoros , Mauritius , Réunion , and Seychelles island groups, where it has been purposely introduced. [ 2 ]
The greater hedgehog tenrec (Setifer setosus), also known as the large Madagascar hedgehog or sokina, [3] is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical forests, shrubland and grassland, savanna, rural gardens, and urban areas. [2] It is the only species in the ...
Thomas's shrew tenrec (Microgale thomasi) is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar . Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.