Grey-faced sengi
This article possibly contains original research. (March 2010) |
Grey-faced sengi | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Macroscelidea |
Family: | Macroscelididae |
Genus: | Rhynchocyon |
Species: | R. udzungwensis
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Binomial name | |
Rhynchocyon udzungwensis F. Rovero and G. Rathbun, 2008
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Grey-faced sengi range |
The grey-faced sengi (Rhynchocyon udzungwensis) is a species of
Description
The fur of this sengi is sparse and glossy with a gray facial coloration and bright red pelage. A wide maroon stripe is noted along the back of the animal, as well as jet-black hindquarters with a light brown belly and tail. In comparison to the other sengis, the grey-faced sengi is larger in proportion and the upper tooth row is longer. The mean length of this species is 56.4 cm (22.2 in), while the mean weight is 711 g (25.1 oz).[2] At 700 g (1.5 lb), this species is about 25% larger than any other known sengi.[3][4]
Taxonomy
The grey-faced sengi is a species of the
This new species was first seen when caught on film in 2005 by Francesco Rovero of the Museum of Natural Sciences in
Rathbun, Rovero, and coauthors published their description of the species in an issue of the British Journal of Zoology. The new species was given the binomial name Rhynchocyon udzungwensis (meaning 'snouted dog from Udzungwa'), and the English name grey-faced sengi from its physical characteristics.[2][3] First captured video in 2007 on Mount Nandango, Tanzania by Tim Balazs and John Lochow was sent to Dr. Rathburn and confirmed to be the first video. Mount Nandango in roughly 400 km from the Rathburn site.
Habitat
The grey-faced sengi is
Reproduction
Rhynchocyon udzungwensis is believed to have a population size of about 15,000-24,000 individuals, with a density of 50-80 individuals per km2[1] and a 1:1 male to female ratio. This sengi builds a nest of leaves and soil with as many as five nests per tree; they are believed to have one or two infants per litter.[citation needed]
Threats
The only major threat to the survival of the grey-faced sengi are humans. Expanding human populations in Africa, especially in Tanzania, will inevitably result in various pressures on the dwindling forests there and the species that live within that habitat.[citation needed] An indirect threat is human-set forest fires,[2] because the sengi depends on its forest habitat. With so few individuals within the population, any form of habitat destruction can negatively affect the species greatly. Other theories to the endangerment of the species may be due to hunting by local tribes, but this cannot be proven and was not seen while Rathbun and Rovero visited Tanzania.[citation needed]
Conservation efforts include local community outreach programs.[citation needed] To save the species, the public is informed of the importance of preserving the sengi's natural habitat. This could reduce native hunting or habitat destruction. The habitat also falls between two nature reserves, which can allow the species to have extra protection from hunters and the ever-expanding human population. Since the nature reserves do not allow hunting or destruction of the forest and animals, the grey-faced sengi is almost guaranteed protection from the outside world. By providing accommodations and research resources to visiting scientists, these parks may give the sengi a better chance of survival.The parks are able to conserve species without concentrating on a specific species. By implementing monitoring programs, organizing training courses for rangers, scouts, park ecologists, and university students, promoting school education programs, networking with other monitoring initiatives and biological field stations elsewhere in Tanzania and the tropics, they standardize monitoring protocols and exchange data and information.[8] Unfortunately no plan has yet been developed for the future protection or rehabilitation of the species.[citation needed]
References
- ^ . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ .
- ^ a b c "Shrew's who: New mammal enters the book of life". AFP. 2008-01-31. Archived from the original on 2008-02-04. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ a b c "New Species of Giant Elephant-shrew Discovered". Science Daily. 2008-02-01. Retrieved 2008-05-07.
- ^ "Scientists discover new species of giant elephant-shrew".
- ^ a b c Hance, Jeremy (1 February 2008). "Giant shrew discovered in Tanzania". mongabay.com.
- ^ a b "Discovery: First New Species Of Giant Elephant-Shrew In 126 Years". Scientific Blogging. 2008-01-30. Archived from the original on 2008-02-01. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "The Udzungwa Ecological Monitoring Centre". Archived from the original on 2009-04-26. Retrieved 2009-12-10.