Biology:Lwiro shrew

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Short description: Species of mammal

Lwiro shrew
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Eulipotyphla
Family: Soricidae
Genus: Crocidura
Species:
C. lwiroensis
Binomial name
Crocidura lwiroensis
Kerbis Peterhans & Hutterer, 2013

The Lwiro shrew or Misotshi-Kabogo shrew (Crocidura lwiroensis) is a species of mammal in the family Soricidae. It is endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[2]

Etymology

It is named in honor of the research team based at the Lwiro (Centre National de Recherche Scientifique) biological research station north of Bukavu.[1][3]

Distribution and habitat

It is found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where it is restricted to a small portion of the Albertine Rift on the western shore of Lake Tanganyika. It is restricted to the Misotshi-Kabogo highlands, an isolated region of montane forest south of the Itombwe Mountains. The only known specimen was found along a creek in a primary forest.[1]

Description

It is very small in body size with a nearly naked tail. It has dark gray fur above and lighter gray fur below. It has a total length of 110 mm, a tail of 45 mm, and a weight of 5.6 g.[3]

Status

Although classified as Data Deficient due to lack of studies, it is likely threatened by deforestation for agricultural expansion, mining concessions, as well as an increase in local population from migration by refugees from the Kivu conflict, which may impact the ecosystem.[1]

References

Wikidata ☰ Q23498866 entry