Pyrenean desman
Pyrenean desman[1] | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Eulipotyphla |
Family: | Talpidae |
Genus: | Galemys |
Species: | G. pyrenaicus
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Binomial name | |
Galemys pyrenaicus (É. Geoffroy, 1811)
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Galemys pyrenaicus pyrenaicus
Galemys pyrenaicus rufulus
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The Pyrenean desman or Iberian desman (Galemys pyrenaicus) is a small
Description
The Pyrenean desman is 11 to 14 cm (4.3 to 5.5 in) long with a rounded scale-covered tail of 12 to 16 cm (4.7 to 6.3 in), and weighs 35 to 80 g (1.2 to 2.8 oz).[3] They have a long, sensitive nasal trompe provided with hypertrophic vibrissae and chemo-/mechanosensitive Eimer's organs helping prey detection, and large webbed feet with fringed hairs to increase the swimming surface, and can close off their nostrils and ears to stop water penetration.[3][5]
The desman's body is covered in dark, brownish fur, with the exception of its tail and nose. The nose is black and is covered in vibrissae (facial hairs), which it uses to feel the movement of prey as it sticks its nose into mud or crevices while searching for food. The Pyrenean desman can live at least 3.5 years. The animals are mostly
Three to four young are born in each litter. The males have a slightly larger territory than the female. Both males and females
Habitat
Pyrenean desmans are proficient swimmers, suited to their aquatic habitat, although their claws also allow them to be good at climbing. They mostly occur in fast-flowing, mountainous rivers with shallow waters and good riparian galleries. The habitat of the Pyrenean desman is under threat, and recent studies have shown dramatic declines in species occurrence in several parts of its range in the last few decades [4][7]
Conservation
Threats include habitat fragmentation and alteration, invasive species (e.g. the American mink), and climate change.[4][7]
The Photo Ark
On May 4, 2018, National Geographic reported that the Pyrenean desman was the 8,000th animal photographed for The Photo Ark by Joel Sartore.[8]
References
- OCLC 62265494.
- ^ .
- ^ S2CID 253913583.
- ^ S2CID 90982534.
- ISBN 978-3-319-47829-6.
- .
- ^ PMID 27467269.
- ^ Gibbens, Sarah (May 4, 2018). "Aquatic Mammal With Snorkel Nose Is 8,000th Animal in Our Photo Ark". Nationalgeographic.com. National Geographic. Archived from the original on June 9, 2018. Retrieved June 9, 2018.