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Order : EULIPOTYPHLA
Family : Erinaceidae
Species : 7 species (as of
2023)
Hylomys spp. :
Head-body length : 9.8 to 15.7 cm
Tail length : approx 0.7 to 3.2 cm
Weight : 40 to 80 grams
Lesser gymnures (i.e. the genus Hylomys) are small, stout-bodied, terrestrial mammals with
short legs, a relatively large head, and a pointed snout. At a glance, they look somewhat like
shrews,
but they are more closely related to hedgehogs.
They occur in southern China, Myanmar,
Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java and
Borneo.
As of 2023, seven species are recognised based on molecular and
morphological data, all of which occur in Southeast
Asia (Hinckley et al, 2023).
Three species have a wide distribution (H. peguensis in Indochina,
H. maxi in Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra, and H. suillus on the
island of Java). The other four species are of limited distribution (H.
dorsalis, H. macarong, H. parvus, H. vorax).
Reference should be made to the distribution map in Hinckley et al (2023).
The dorsal fur of lesser gymnures is brown, and somewhat grizzled, and the underside is greyish
or greyish-brown.
They bear numerous
equally-sized teeth
with which they can easily grip
soft-bodied prey. Their ears are rounded and relatively
large. Their legs are short, and their feet are plantigrade (walking on the
sole with the heel touching the ground), with sharp claws. The tail is short and mainly hairless.
The head is large, and comprises around one-third of the
head-body length.
Lesser gymnures are rather shy, and will hastily conceal themselves if
disturbed. At Fraser's Hill, Peninsular Malaysia, they have been observed
retreating to piles of rocks in long-established gardens close to primary
forest. In Borneo they build nests of leaves hidden under rocks or logs
(Phillipps & Phillipps, 2016).
Lesser gymnures in Peninsular Malaysia may be encountered by day (Figs 1 and
2), but may be active at night too. In northeast Borneo they are reported as diurnal (Phillipps &
Phillipps, 2016).
Their prey comprises soft-bodied invertebrates such as
earthworms, insect grubs, as well as snails, beetles, crickets, centipedes, small reptiles,
amphibians and occasionally fungi, and fallen figs and fruits.
Illustrated here is Hylomys maxi (Max's Short-tailed Gymnure),
which inhabits hilly
to montane forest in Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra.
In Sumatra it also occurs in the lowlands, but there appear to be no records
of this species in the lowlands of Peninsular Malaysia.
Fig 1 : Adult example of Hylomys maxi (Max's Short-tailed Gymnure) from Fraser's Hill, Peninsular Malaysia - it was
active mid-morning in an overgrown garden. Note the short, thin tail.
Fig 2 : Close-up of the head of Hylomys maxi showing the long pointed snout, and large,
rounded ears.
Fig 3 : Lower montane forest at Fraser's Hill, Peninsular Malaysia, where Hylomys maxi is sometimes encountered.
Hylomys maxi photos thanks to Graeme Guy.
References :
Hinckley, A.,
Camacho-Sanchez, M., Chua, M. A., Ruedi, M., Lunde, D., Maldonado, J. E.,
... & Hawkins, M. T. (2023). An integrative taxonomic revision of lesser
gymnures (Eulipotyphla: Hylomys) reveals five new species and emerging
patterns of local endemism in Tropical East Asia. Zoological Journal of the
Linnean Society, zlad177.
Phillipps Q. & Phillipps K. (2016). Phillipps’ Field Guide to the Mammals of
Borneo and Their Ecology: Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei, and Kalimantan. Second
Edition. John Beaufoy Publishing. 400 pp.
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