Unique, 5 New Species of Soft-Spined Hedgehogs Discovered and They are Adorable

"Unique, 5 New Species of Soft-Spined Hedgehogs Discovered and They Are Adorable"

The soft-furred gymnure (landak kantung berbulu lembut) is a small mammal that is a member of the hedgehog family, but as its name suggests, they are furry rather than spiny. Like spiny hedgehogs, they are not rodents and have a pointed snout. This small mammal is active both during the day and at night and is omnivorous, likely eating various types of insects and other invertebrates as well as some fruits when the opportunity arises.

"Based on the lifestyle of its close relatives and field observations, this marsupial hedgehog likely makes nests in holes and seeks shelter while foraging among tree roots, fallen logs, rocks, grassy areas, shrubs, and leaf piles."

Unique, 5 New Species of Soft-Spined Hedgehogs Discovered and They are Adorable

The translation of "Mirip Tikus Jika Tanpa Duri" to English is "Similar to a Mouse If Without Thorns."

“Without the spines of their more famous cousins, the fluffy hedgehog looks like a cross between a mouse and a rat with a short tail,”

“Five new species are included in the group of soft-furred hedgehogs known as lesser gymnures (Hylomys) that live in Southeast Asia and were previously only known to be represented by two known species.” “We were able to identify these new hedgehogs thanks to the museum staff who collected these specimens over several decades and their original collectors.” “By applying modern genomic techniques as we did years after the hedgehogs were first collected, the next generation will be able to identify more new species.”

"In this research, Dr. Hinckley and his colleagues collected 232 physical specimens and 85 tissue samples for genetic analysis from the entire Hylomys group, combining their own field collections as well as modern and historical museum specimens from at least 14 natural history collections in Asia, Europe, and the United States. They then began the long process of conducting genetic analysis on the 85 tissue samples in the laboratory."

The translation of "Lakukan Pengukuran" to English is "Take Measurement".

"They also conducted careful physical observations and collected measurements to examine differences in size and shape of skulls, teeth, and fur in 232 specimens. Genetic results identified seven different genetic lineages in Hylomys, indicating that the number of recognized species in this group will increase by five, which was later confirmed through physical observations by the team on the specimens."

Two new species, named Hylomys vorax and Hylomys macarong, are endemic to the endangered Leuser ecosystem, which is the tropical rainforest in North Sumatra and South Vietnam respectively.

"Three other new species were previously considered subspecies of Hylomys suillus, but all show enough genetic and physical differences to gain their own species status. They have been named Hylomys dorsalis, Hylomys maxi, and Hylomys peguensis."

“Perhaps it will be surprising for people to hear that there are still mammals that have not been discovered out there,” said Dr. Melissa Hawkins, curator of mammals at the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History.
“However, there are many things we do not know – especially small nocturnal animals that are difficult to distinguish from one another.”

"Swipe Up"

"This study was published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society."

"Source: Sci.news"

news update

If This Sea Monster Were Real, Would It Actually Be a Giant European Eel?

Scientists are still questioning the existence of giant eels in the waters of Scotland's lakes.