The family Tenrecidae is most closely related to the family Chrysochloridae. The genus Microgale is most closely related to its sister genus, Oryzorictes. This is according to the latest molecular data.
M. brevicaudata has been heard making squeals and whimpering noises, however not much is known how this is used for communication. Tenrecs in general do use scent signals and a primitive type of sonar. It is possible M. brevicaudata communicates with ultrasonic frequencies.
Like other diurnal mammals, it is likley that these tenrecs use some visual signals to communicate. Tactile communication is probably used between mates, as well as between mothers and their offspring.
Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; ultrasound ; echolocation ; chemical
M. brevicaudata is under no special conservation status.
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
M. brevicaudata has no negative importance for human economies.
M. brevicaudata offers no economic importance for humans.
There is no information regarding the impact of M. brevicaudata on the ecosystem. However, since it is insectivorous, it may have an impact on the insect populations. To the extent that it serves as prey for other species, it may also affect predator populations.
M. brevicaudata is insectivorous, eating insects and small vertebrates. It eats during the day and the night. It may dig through the soil looking for food, but mostly just wanders around eating what is available.
Animal Foods: insects; terrestrial non-insect arthropods
Primary Diet: carnivore (Insectivore )
Microgale brevicaudata is endemic to the island of Madagascar. It is not migratory so it remains on this island permanently. Scientists believe that M. brevicaudata and other species reached Madagascar by floating on rafts of material. Madagascar split from continental Africa 100 million years ago, well before the development of most groups of mammals.
Biogeographic Regions: ethiopian (Native )
Other Geographic Terms: island endemic
M. brevicaudata lives primarily in rainforests and humid forests. However, it has been recorded in shrubby areas, grasslands, marshes, and agricultural fields in the highlands of Madagascar. This species has not been extensively studied so there is not much habitat data available. However, other species of the same genus appear to survive in small forest habitats of 35 hectares.
Range elevation: 1200 to 1500 m.
Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland ; forest
Wetlands: marsh
Other Habitat Features: agricultural
Although the lifespan for M. brevicaudata is not known, a member of the same genus lived to be 13 years in captivity. However, 5 to 6 years is more likely in the wild. It is likely that M. brevicaudata is similar to other members of the genus in this regard.
M. brevicaudata is a small, shrew-like tenrec. It weighs 7 to 12 grams and is 6.6 to 7 centimeters long. Its tail length is 3.3 cm. It is dark brown with a grey throat and abdomen and there are fine rings on its short tail. It has very sparse hair but its fur is soft. It has large, projecting, grey-purple ears. All limbs have 5 digits and it walks plantigrade. The fore limbs are shorter than the hind ones. Its tail is prehensile. The genus is unusual in having 47 vertebrae, more than any other tenrec.
Both males and females have a cloaca. The male has a retractile penis with a baculum. For the genus Microgale the testes are located in the pelvis and that position does not change before mating.
Members of the family Tenrecidae do not have a complete zygomatic arch because the jugal bone is absent. These animals have W-shaped ectoloph molars and a dental formulaof 2/3, 1/1, 3/3, 4/3 for a total of 40 teeth.
Range mass: 7 to 12 g.
Range length: 6.6 to 7 cm.
Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
M. brevicaudata is preyed upon by birds of prey, small carnivores, and reptiles. Although it makes sounds when threatened, it has no system of defense other than running away.
Known Predators:
There has been no research done on the mating of M. brevicaudata, but other members of the same genus are polygynandrous. There is evidence that tenrecs may use sound to communicate with potential mates.
Mating System: polygynandrous (promiscuous)
Very little is known about the reproductive behavior of M. brevicaudata. Some things yet to be researched are gestation period, weight of young per birth, age of sexual maturity, and age of weaning. The brood size can be 1 to 8. Members of the same genus have reproductive cycles that closely match the wet and dry seasons of Madagascar. Other members of the genus Microgale have a gestation period of about 58 to 64 days and their young sexually matures at 8.5 to 14 weeks. M. brevicauda is probably similar to other members of the genus in this regard.
Breeding interval: The breeding interval of these animals has not been reported.
Breeding season: These tenrecs probably breed in November through December.
Range number of offspring: 1 to 8.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization ; viviparous
There has been no specific research done on the parental investment for M. brevicaudata. However, members of the genus Microgale rely on the female for parental care. She provides milk, warmth, and protection for the young. In members of the same genus, the average age of weaning is 22 months. The role of males in parental care has not been reported.
Parental Investment: altricial ; female parental care ; pre-fertilization (Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female)
The short-tailed shrew tenrec (Microgale brevicaudata) is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical and tropical dry and moist lowland forests.[2]
The short-tailed shrew tenrec (Microgale brevicaudata) is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical and tropical dry and moist lowland forests.
