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Crocidura ninoyi
Esselstyn and Goodman, 2010. Journal of Mammalogy, 91: 1468. Type Locality: 4.5 km S and 4 km E Magdiwang, NW slope of Mt. Guitinguitin, Sibuyan Island, Romblon Province, Philippines, elevation 325 m (12.45d N, 122.55d E)
Figure 2 from Esselstyn and Goodman, 2010.
Order: SORICOMORPHA
Family: Soricidae
Common Name:Sibuyan shrew
Identification:
Total length: 85.8-95.4 mm; tail: 68.6-76.0 mm; hind foot: 14.3-16.3 mm; weight: 10.5-13.1 g. Like other Philippine Crocidura, C. ninoyi is a small shrew with tiny eyes, gray-brown pelage, a tail that has a few scattered long hairs, and ears that are mostly hidden beneath the fur. Crocidura ninoyi has both hind and fore feet that are narrower with more robust digits than the feet of C. mindorus. Its feet are similar in size to C. negrina and C. panayensis. Crocidura ninoyi’s tail is thin with few bristle hairs as compared to C. negrina and C. panayensis. Crocidura mindorus has a thick tail with bristle hairs along the entire length. The house-shrew, Suncus murinus, which often lives in and near human habitations, is much larger and has a tail that is notably thick at the base.
Distribution:
Known only from Sibuyan Island, with all records from Mt. Guintinguitin (FMNH) (Esselstyn and Goodman, 2010).
© The Field Museum
Habitat and Ecology:
Poorly known. Currently documented from 325 m and 1,325 m on Mt. Guitinguitin. The habitats represented at these elevations include disturbed lowland forest and undisturbed mossy forest. The species may occur in between these elevations, as well as potentially above and below. They feed on the forest floor, on invertebrates; other members of the genus are active both day and night.
Status:
Mt.Guitinguitinhas been proclaimed a protected area and so the known distribution of Crocidura ninoyi is presumably not under threat, although poorly managed mining and logging occur on Sibuyan.
Comments:
Further research on the distribution and ecology of this species is needed.