Lifespan, longevity, and ageing
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Observations: In the wild, these animals have been estimated to live up to 4 years (Bernhard Grzimek 1990). It is possible, albeit unknown, that they live much longer in captivity.
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Morphology
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Iberian desmans have many adaptations to their aquatic habitat. These include a long tail, verticaly flattened at the end, and the ability to close their ears and nostrils.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Average mass: 57.5 g.
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- Weinstein, B. 1999. "Galemys pyrenaicus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Galemys_pyrenaicus.html
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- Bret Weinstein, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Life Expectancy
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Average lifespan
Status: wild: 3.5 years.
Average lifespan
Status: wild: 4.0 years.
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- Weinstein, B. 1999. "Galemys pyrenaicus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Galemys_pyrenaicus.html
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- Bret Weinstein, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Habitat
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Iberian desmans are usually found in cold mountain lakes and rivers with abundant crustaceans and insect larvae.
Terrestrial Biomes: forest ; mountains
Aquatic Biomes: lakes and ponds; rivers and streams
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- Weinstein, B. 1999. "Galemys pyrenaicus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Galemys_pyrenaicus.html
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- Bret Weinstein, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Distribution
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The Pyrenees mountains in France, and the northern portion of the Iberian peninsula (Spain and Portugal)
Biogeographic Regions: palearctic (Native )
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- Weinstein, B. 1999. "Galemys pyrenaicus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Galemys_pyrenaicus.html
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- Bret Weinstein, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Trophic Strategy
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Iberian desmans eat larval aquatic insects, crustaceans, and terrestrial insects. They will eat appropriate food whether it is alive or dead. Some people have claimed that Iberian desmans forage away from water, but this is uncertain.
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- Weinstein, B. 1999. "Galemys pyrenaicus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Galemys_pyrenaicus.html
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- Bret Weinstein, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Behavior
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Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical
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- Weinstein, B. 1999. "Galemys pyrenaicus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Galemys_pyrenaicus.html
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- Bret Weinstein, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Conservation Status
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IUCN "vulnerable" due to habitat destruction
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: vulnerable
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- Weinstein, B. 1999. "Galemys pyrenaicus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Galemys_pyrenaicus.html
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- Bret Weinstein, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Reproduction
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The gestation period is about thirty days. Populations have three estrus peaks in a given breeding season (January-May). Litter size can be from one to five. Sexual maturity is reached in the second year of life.
Key Reproductive Features: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual
Average gestation period: 30 days.
Average number of offspring: 4.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
Sex: male: 730 days.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Sex: female: 730 days.
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- Weinstein, B. 1999. "Galemys pyrenaicus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Galemys_pyrenaicus.html
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- Bret Weinstein, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Biology
provided by Arkive
The Pyrenean desman seeks shelter in rock crevices, caves, or the burrows of water rats, only rarely digging their own burrows. This species lives in pairs that are typically monogamous, with the male's territory completely encompassing that of the female, although solitary adults also exist (6). Territories are scent-marked and will be defended to the death against intruders (5) (6). The breeding season is from January to May, during which females may breed up to three times (5) (6). Litters of one to five, usually three to four, young are born after a gestation period of about 30 days, and weaning probably takes place after around 30 days (5) (6). Sexual maturity is thought to be attained after approximately two years, but little else is known of the life history patterns of this enigmatic species (5).
The Pyrenean desman feeds nocturnally on a diverse array of crustaceans and insect larvae, including stoneflies and caddis fly larvae (1), although this amphibious mammal may also exhibit short periods of activity during the day (3). Ungainly on land (5), this species is a powerful swimmer and accomplished diver, primarily foraging by sifting through stream sediments with its forefeet and using its extremely tactile and sensitive long snout to search for prey (3). It has been suggested that the Pyrenean desman may also slap the surface of the water to produce noises useful in echolocation to help find its way around and locate underwater prey, but this is only speculation (5) (6).
Conservation
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The Pyrenean desman and its dwindling habitat are protected in the parts of its range that occur within the Parc National des Pyrénées Occidentales and Parque Nacional de Covadona, and populations may also possibly exist in the Parque Nacional de Aiguas y Lago de San Mauricio and the Parque Nacional de Ordesa. Following an international conference on the conservation of this rare aquatic mammal, an action plan was drawn up to help save the species from further declines (1).
Description
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Named after the place of its home, the Pyrenean desman is a small aquatic insectivore closely related to moles, also known as the Iberian desman (4) (5). This adept swimmer has many adaptations to its aquatic habitat, including an elongated head and body with a long tail, webbed, paddle-like hindfeet, and the ability to close both ears and nostrils to prevent water getting in (3) (5) (6). In contrast to moles, which have powerful digging front legs, desmans have powerful hind legs that are longer than the forefeet to help propel them through the water (5). The tail is also slightly flattened vertically, acting as a rudder and helping to steer and direct the animal as it swims (7). A double layer of fine dark greyish-brown fur includes a dense waterproof underfur and oily guard hairs (5). The eyes are tiny and eyesight is poor, but the long, black, almost hairless snout is highly sensitive and used to locate prey (2) (5).
Habitat
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Unlike the only other desman species, the Russian desman (Desmana moschata), the Pyrenean species lives along fast-flowing mountain streams, although it is occasionally found in slower-moving water bodies, including canals, lakes and marshes at altitudes of 60 to 1,200 metres (1) (7).
Range
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Known from the Pyrenees Mountains and the northern Iberian Peninsula in the countries of France, Spain and Portugal (1) (4).
Status
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Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List (1).
Threats
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The Pyrenean desman is threatened because it is bound to a very vulnerable habitat within a restricted area. The greatest threat to the species comes from water pollution and habitat fragmentation caused by the construction of hydroelectric plants. Direct persecution from fishermen who mistakenly believe the species competes for fish stocks, especially trout, also poses a threat, as does over harvesting from the wild by eager collectors. In addition, fears have been expressed that North American minx (Mustela vison) escaping from fur farms in northern Iberia may be having a negative impact upon populations. The full impact of these threats is not known as population surveys are notoriously difficult for this aquatic species (1).
Pyrenean desman
provided by wikipedia EN
The Pyrenean desman also called Iberian desman (Galemys pyrenaicus) is a small semiaquatic, globally threatened mammal related to moles and shrews, and, along with the Russian desman (Desmana moschata), is one of the two extant members of the tribe Desmanini.[2][3] The species occurs in north and central parts of Spain and Portugal, French Pyrenees, and Andorra,[2] but severe range contractions have been documented across its geographic distribution.[4]
Description
Snout of the Pyrenean desman
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 nocturnal, and eat small invertebrates, mostly aquatic macroinvertebrates. They breed up to three times a year, with the period of gestation lasting around thirty days.
Three to four young are born in each litter. The males have a slightly larger territory than the female. Both males and females scent mark. They are thought to be aggressive towards other adult members of the species.[3][6]
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
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^ Hutterer, R. (2005). "Order Soricomorpha". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 303. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
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^ a b c Quaglietta, L.; Aulagnier, S. (2020). "Galemys pyrenaicus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T8826A114145177. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T8826A114145177.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
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^ a b c d Palmeirim, J. M.; Hoffmann, R. S. (1983). "Galemys pyrenaicus". Mammalian Species (207): 1–5. doi:10.2307/3503939. JSTOR 3503939. S2CID 253913583.
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^ a b c Quaglietta, L.; Paupério, J.; Martins, F.; Alves, P.C.; Beja, P. (20 June 2018). "Recent range contractions in the globally threatened Pyrenean desman highlight the importance of stream headwater refugia". Animal Conservation. 21 (6): 515–525. doi:10.1111/acv.12422. S2CID 90982534.
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^ Quaglietta, L. (2018). "Semi-aquatic". In Vonk, J.; Shackelford, T. (eds.). Encyclopedia of Animal Cognition and Behavior. Springer, Cham. pp. 1–6. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-47829-6_394-1. ISBN 978-3-319-47829-6.
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^ Stone, R. D. (1987). "The social ecology of the Pyrenean desman (Galemys pyrenaicus)(Insectivora: Talpidae), as revealed by radiotelemetry". Journal of Zoology. 212 (1): 117–129. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.1987.tb05119.x.
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^ a b Charbonnel, A.; Laffaille, P.; Biffi, M.; Blanc, F.; Maire, A.; Némoz, M.; Sanchez-Perez, JM.; Sauvage, S; Buisson, L. (2016). "Can recent global changes explain the dramatic range contraction of an endangered semi-aquatic mammal species in the French Pyrenees?". PLOS ONE. 11 (7): e0159941. Bibcode:2016PLoSO..1159941C. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0159941. PMC 4965056. PMID 27467269.
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^ 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.
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Pyrenean desman: Brief Summary
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The Pyrenean desman also called Iberian desman (Galemys pyrenaicus) is a small semiaquatic, globally threatened mammal related to moles and shrews, and, along with the Russian desman (Desmana moschata), is one of the two extant members of the tribe Desmanini. The species occurs in north and central parts of Spain and Portugal, French Pyrenees, and Andorra, but severe range contractions have been documented across its geographic distribution.
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