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Macroscelidea
Id code: amd349Macroscelididae
Elephantulus fuscus
(Peters, 1852)
(Eng) Dusky or Peters’ short-snouted elephant-shrew
(Fre) Rat à trompe à museau court de Peter
Taxonomic notes
No significant taxonomic notes.
IUCN threat category
Not listed.
Available information
Very little is known on the ecology of this species. A review of the information available of its biology in Southern Africa is found in Mills & Hes (1997) and Skinner & Smithers (1990). General information on the species’ ecology and distribution is found in Kingdon (1997). Status and distribution are discussed in Nicoll & Rathbun (1990); the authors also give a description of the habitat in which the species is found.
Known extent of occurrence
The dusky elephant-shrew ranges in Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia, marginally extending probably also to Zimbabwe (Nicoll & Rathbun, 1990). Its distribution map was obtained from Skinner & Smithers (1990) (Fig. 12.1.4.a).
Categorical-discrete (CD) distribution model
This species occurs primarily in grassland with scattered trees and bushes and in open savanna (Mills & Hes, 1997; Skinner & Smithers, 1990).
Based on these environmental preferences, the following scores were assigned (Fig. 12.1.4.b) (Tab. 12.1.4.a):
|
Score |
|
|
1 |
Grasslands; grassland mosaics and woodland mosaics and transition. |
|
2 |
Other savanna types; croplands and cropland mosaics. |
|
3 |
Forests. |
|
suitable |
moderately suitable |
unsuitable |
Total |
||||
|
km2 |
% |
km2 |
% |
km2 |
% |
km2 |
% |
|
24 900 |
9 |
227 483 |
86 |
10 824 |
4 |
263 207 |
100 |
Tab 12.1.4.a: Cumulative size (km2) of areas pertaining to each environmental suitability class within the Extent of Occurrence.
|
Number Patches (NP) |
Mean Patch Size (MPS) km2 |
Patch Size SD (PSSD) km2 |
Largest Patch Index (LPI) % |
Mean Shape Index (MSI) |
Area-Weighted Mean Shape Index (AWMSI) |
|
|
suitable |
150 |
169 |
635 |
2.48 |
1.27 |
3.16 |
|
moderately suitable |
23 |
9 877 |
45 907 |
89.18 |
1.49 |
7.79 |
|
Total AO |
7 |
36 075 |
88 151 |
99.79 |
1.58 |
3.57 |
Tab 12.1.4.b: Area of Occupancy fragmentation indexes.
Probabilistic-continuous (PC) distribution model
The output of the probabilistic-continuous (PC) distribution model is shown in Fig. 12.1.4.c.
Validation
No occurrence of the species within the four sample areas.
Comments and conservation issues
The known EO of this species appears to be a continuous and moderately suitable area. In fact suitable areas are a small percentage (9%) and fragmentation is extremely limited as shown by all indexes (in particular, NP and LPI). The species is not listed by the IUCN threat category system and very little is known of its status; it requires further research. Less than 4% of its AO is protected by parks and reserves.
|
SUITABILITY CLASS |
inside |
outside |
Total |
|
suitable |
0.32 |
9.14 |
9.46 |
|
moderately suitable |
3.20 |
83.23 |
86.43 |
|
unsuitable |
0.11 |
4 |
4.11 |
|
Total |
3.63 |
96.37 |
100 |
Tab 12.1.4.c: Percent of environmental suitability classes within EO (as obtained from the categorical-discrete distribution model) inside and outside the protected areas.
References
Kingdon J. (1997). The Kingdon field guide to African Mammals. Academic Press, London and New York: Natural World.
Mills G., Hes L. (1997). The complete book of Southern African mammals. Struik Publishers.
Nicoll M.E., Rathbun G.B. (Eds) (1990). African Insectivora and Elephant-Shrews. An Action Plan for their Conservation. IUCN/SSC Insectivore, Tree-Shrew and Elephant Shrew Specialist Group.
Skinner J.D., Smithers R.H.N. (1990). The mammals of the Southern African subregion. University of Pretoria, Pretoria.