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Congosorex phillipsorum

Order: Lipotyphla > Family: Soricidae > Genus: Congosorex > Species: Congosorex phillipsorum

Common Name: Phillips's Congo Shrew [English]

Type Description

Stanley, W. T., M. A. Rogers, and R. Hutterer, 2005. A new species of Congosorex from the Eastern Arc Mountains, Tanzania, with significant biogeographical implications. Journal of Zoology, London, (2005) 265:269-280.

Type Locality

9 km E Udekwa, Ndundulu Forest,West Kilombero Scarp Forest Reserve, Udzungwa Mountains, Iringa District, Iringa Region, Tanzania; 7°45.117 S, 36°27.803 E, 1900 m

Measurements

Total length: 105-111 mm
Head and body: 68-76 mm
Tail length: 35-40 mm
Hindfoot length: 12-14 mm
Ear length: 7-8 mm
Weight: 7.4-8.3 g

Description

A small yet robust shrew, the dorsal pelage of Congosorex phillipsorum is dark brown with the ventral pelage being a slightly lighter brown tone. Each individual hair is slate grey with brown tips and is 5 mm on the dorsal side and 3 mm on the ventral side. The chin is sparsely populated with dark bristles among the tan coloring of the hair. C. phillipsorum has a barely discernable eye slit witha length that is less than 1 mm. The ear conch is also barely visible under its long hairs. The head of C. phillipsorum is large relative to the head and body (HB) being one-third of the length of the HB. (Stanley et al, 2005)

Comparisons

Compared to Myosorex kihaulei, the scales in both the hind and fore feet of C. phillipsorum are more prominent owing to their large size and dark color (

Distribution

Congosorex phillipsorum has been collected in localities above the 1500 m elevation mark in montane forested areas of bamboo and marshy habitat in the Ndundulu and Nyumbanitu forests of the Udzungwa Mountains which is the only known locality of the species within Tanzania. Although not yet recorded there, it's suspect that C. phillipsorum does occur in Udzungwa National Park, which borders the,Ndundulu Forest. (Stanleyet al, 2005)

Key References

1. Stanley, W. T., M. A. Rogers, and R. Hutterer, 2005. A new species of Congosorex from the Eastern Arc Mountains, Tanzania, with significant biogeographical implications. Journal of Zoology, London, (2005) 265:269-280.