Afrotherian Systematics
The following classification has been assembled by members of the IUCN-SSC Afrotheria Specialist Group. Superscripts refer to footnotes in each section. The binomial for each species is followed with the 2016 IUCN Red List categories of threat:
| [DD] = Data Deficient | [VU] = Vulnerable |
| [LC] = Least Concern | [EN] = Endangered |
| [NT] = Near Threatened | [CR] = Critically Endangered |
The common English names for all species are included to the right of the scientific names. At the end of each section are literature citations that support the classification. For further details, see back issues of Afrotherian Conservation – Newsletter of the IUCN-SSC Afrotheria Specialist Group.
Supercohort: Afrotheria
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Stanhope et al. (1998) grouped golden moles and tenrecs in the new order Afrosoricida. The existence of this clade, and its affinities with other Afrotherian taxa, is strongly supported by phylogenies based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences, and rare genomic changes such as indels (insertions and deletions), SINES (short interspersed nuclear sequences) and chromosomal rearrangements (Springer et al. 2004). Bronner et al. (2003) reluctantly accepted Afrosoricida as the ordinal name for this clade, a treatment followed by Bronner and Jenkins (2005) who argue that the alternative (and earlier) names "Tenrecoidea" and "Tenrecomorpha" are unsuitable at the ordinal level.
Subordinal distinction between the tenrecs (Tenrecomorpha) and golden moles (Chrysochloridea) has been motivated based on analyses of both morphological (Butler, 1972, 1988; MacPhee and Novacek, 1993) analyses and the above mentioned molecular studies indicating an early phylogenetic divergence.
Overall Classification
Bronner, G.N. and P.D. Jenkins. 2005. Order Afrosoricida. Pp. 70-81 in Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition. Wilson, D. E. and D.M. Reeder (eds.). Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. 2142 pp.
The golden mole classification follows the treatment of Bronner & Jenkins (2005), and is based largely on the treatment of Meester et al. (1986) for the Chrysochlorinae, and Bronner (1995; 1996; 2000) for the Amblysominae. Type species are indicated by asterisks. Superscripts denote footnotes explained below.
Order: Afrosoricida (55 species) Suborder: Chrysochloridea (21 species) Golden Moles Family: Chrysochloridae Subfamily: Chrysochlorinae 1 Genus: Eremitalpa Species: Eremitalpa granti* [LC] Grant's Golden Mole Genus: Chrysospalax Species: Chrysospalax trevelyani* [EN] Giant Golden Mole Species: Chrysospalax villosus [VU] Rough-haired Golden Mole Genus: Chrysochloris Subgenus: Chrysochloris Species: Chrysochloris asiatica* [LC] Cape Golden Mole Species: Chrysochloris visagiei incertae sedis2 [DD] Visagie’s Golden Mole Subgenus: Kilimatalpa Species: Chrysochloris (K.) stuhlmanni* [LC] Stuhlmann’s Golden Mole Genus: Cryptochloris Species: Cryptochloris zyli* [EN] Van Zyl’s Golden Mole Species: Cryptochloris wintoni [CR] De Winton’s Golden Mole Genus: Carpitalpa Species: Carpitalpa arendsi* [VU] Arend’s Golden Mole Genus: Chlorotalpa Species: Chlorotalpa duthieae* [VU] Duthie’s Golden Mole Species: Chlorotalpa sclateri [LC] Sclater’s Golden Mole Subfamily: Amblysominae 1 Genus: Calcochloris Subgenus: Calcochloris Species: Calcochloris (C.) obtusirostris* [LC] Yellow Golden Mole Subgenus: Huetia 3 Species: Calcochloris (H.) leucorhinus* [DD] Congo Golden Mole Species: Calcochloris (H.) tytonis incertae sedis4 [DD] Somali Golden Mole Genus: Amblysomus Species: Amblysomus hottentotus* 5 [LC] Hottentot Golden Mole Species: Amblysomus corriae6 [NT] Fynbos Golden Mole Species: Amblysomus septentrionalis 6 [NT] Highveld Golden Mole Species: Amblysomus robustus 6 [VU] Robust Golden Mole Species: Amblysomus marleyi 6 [EN] Marley’s Golden Mole Genus: Neamblysomus 7 Species: Neamblysomus gunningi* [EN] Gunning’s Golden Mole Species: Neamblysomus julianae 8 [VU & CR] Juliana’s Golden Mole Chrysochloridea Footnotes
1. Bronner et al. (2003) resurrected these subfamilies, which were erected by Simonetta (1968), but not used by most subsequent authors.
2. Known only from the type specimen. Meester (1974) argued that it may be an aberrant specimen of C. asiatica. More data are, however, needed to confirm the status of this taxon.
3. Included in Amblysomus by Simonetta (1968) and Petter (1981), and in Chlorotalpa by Meester (1974). Assigned to Calcochloris (Subgenus Huetia Forcart, 1942) by Bronner (1995) based on limited craniometric evidence.
4. Known from only the type specimen (partially-complete skull from an owl pellet), and thus of uncertain taxonomic status.
5. Bronner (1995, 1996, 2000) demonstrated the existence of three cryptic species (marleyi, septentrionalis and robustus) in this species, as traditionally constituted (Meester 1974).
6. Previously treated as a subspecies of A. iris, and devilliersi as a subspecies of A. hottentotus , see Meester et al. (1986). Bronner (1996) showed that iris represents only a subspecies of A. hottentotus, and elevated corriae to species rank to include devilliersi (previously included as a subspecies of hottentotus).
7. Included in Amblysomus by Simonetta (1968), Meester (1974), Petter (1981) and Meester et al. (1986). Bronner (1995) elevated it to generic rank on the basis of cytogenetic and cranial divergence from Amblysomus species.
8. The nominotypical population, from the Bronberg in eastern Pretoria, is now afforded Critically Endangered status owing to quartzite mining and urbanization, which are destroying its natural habitat.
Chrysochloridea References
Bronner, G.N. 1995. Systematic revision of the golden mole genera Amblysomus, Chlorotalpa & Calcochloris (Insectivora: Chrysochloromorpha; Chrysochloridae). Ph.D. thesis, Univ. of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.
Bronner, G.N. 1996. Geographic patters of morphometric variation in the Hottentot golden mole, Amblysomus hottentotus (Insectivora: Chrysochloridae). A multivariate analysis. Mammalia 60:729-751.
Bronner, G.N. 2000. New species and subspecies of golden mole (Chrysochloridae: Amblysomus) from Mpumalanga, South Africa . Mammalia 64:41-54.
Bronner, G.N., Hoffman, M., Taylor, P.J., Chimimba, C.T., Best, P.B., Mathee C.A., & Robinson T.J. 2003. A revised systematic checklist of the extant mammals of the southern African subregion.Durban Museum Novitates 28: 56-106.
Bronner, G.N. and P.D. Jenkins. 2005. Order Afrosoricida. Pp. 70-81. In Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition. Wilson, D. E. and D.M. Reeder (eds.). Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. 2142 pp.
Butler, P.M. 1972. The problem of insectivore classification, pp. 253-265. In Studies in vertebrate evolution. Ed. K. Joysey & T. Kemp. Edinburgh: Oliver & Boyd.
Butler, P.M. 1988. Phylogeny of the insectivores, pp. 117-141. In The phylogeny and classification of the tetrapods, Vol. 2. Ed. M. J. Benton. Systematic Association Special Volume 35B. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
MacPhee, R.D.E. & Novacek, M.J. 1993. Definition and relationships of Lipotyphla, pp. 13-31. In Mammal phylogeny: placentals. Ed. F.S. Szalay,M.J. Novacek & M.C. McKenna. New York: Springer Verlag.
Meester, J. 1974. Family Chrysochloridae, part 1.3, pp 1-7. In The mammals of Africa: an identification manual. Eds J. Meester & H.W. Setzer. Washington D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.
Meester, J.A.J., Rautenbach, I.L., Dippenaar, N.J. & Baker, C.M. 1986. Classification of southern African mammals. Transvaal Museum Monographs. 5: 1-359.
Petter, F. 1981. Remarques sur le systématique des chrysochlorides. Mammalia 45:49-53.
Simonetta, A.M. 1968. A new golden mole from Somalia with an appendix on the taxonomy of the Family Chrysochloridae (Mammalia: Insectivora). Monitore zoologica italiano (Supplement) 2: 27-55.
Springer M.S., Stanhope M.J., Madsen O. & de Jong W.W. 2004. Molecules consolidate the placental mammal tree. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 19:430–438.
Stanhope, M.J, Waddell, V.G., Madsen, O., de Jong, W., Hedges, B., Cleven, G.C., Kao, D. & Springer, M.S. 1999. Molecular evidence for multiple origins of Insectivora and for a new order of endemic African insectivore mammals. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA 95: 9967-9972.
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Order: Afrosoricida Suborder: Tenrecomorpha (34 species) Family: Potamogalidae (3 species) Otter shrews Genus: Potamogale Species: Potamogale velox [LC] Giant Otter Shrew Genus: Micropotamogale Species: Micropotamogale lamottei [NT] Nimba Otter Shrew Species: Micropotamogale ruwenzorii [LC] Ruwenzori Otter Shrew Family: Tenrecidae (31 species) Tenrecs Subfamily: Tenrecinae Spiny tenrecs Genus: Echinops Species: Echinops telfairi [LC] Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec Genus: Hemicentetes Streaked Tenrecs Species: Hemicentetes semispinosus [LC] Lowland Streaked Tenrec Species: Hemicentetes nigriceps [LC] Highland Streaked Tenrec Genus: Setifer Species: Setifer setosus [LC] Greater Hedgehog Tenrec Genus: Tenrec Species: Tenrec ecaudatus [LC] Tail-less Tenrec Subfamily: Geogalinae Species: Geogale aurita [LC] Large-eared Tenrec Subfamily: Oryzorictinae Furred Tenrecs Genus: Microgale Shrew Tenrecs Species: Microgale brevicaudata [LC] Short-tailed Shrew Tenrec (syn. Microgale breviceps) (syn. Paramicrogale occidentalis) Species: Microgale cowani [LC] Cowan's Shrew Tenrec (syn. Microgale crassipes) (syn. Microgale longirostris) (syn. Microgale cowani nigrescens) Species: Microgale drouhardi [LC] Drouhard's Shrew Tenrec (syn. Microgale melanorrhachis) Species: Microgale dryas [VU] Dryad Shrew Tenrec Species: Microgale fotsifotsy [LC] Pale Shrew Tenrec Species: Microgale gracilis [LC] Gracile Shrew Tenrec Species: Microgale grandidieri [LC] Species: Microgale gymnorhyncha [LC] Naked-nosed Shrew Tenrec Species: Microgale jenkinsae [EN] Species: Microgale jobihely [EN] Species: Microgale longicaudata [LC] Lesser Long-tailed Shrew Tenrec (syn. Microgale prolixacaudata) Species: Microgale majori [LC] Major’s Long-tailed Tenrec Species: Microgale merguls2 [VU] Web-footed Tenrec Species: Microgale monticola [VU] Montane Shrew Tenrec Species: Microgale nasoloi [VU] Nasolo's Shrew Tenrec Species: Microgale parvula [LC] Pygmy Shrew Tenrec (syn. Microgale pulla) Species: Microgale principula [LC] Greater Long-tailed Shrew Tenrec (syn. Microgale decaryi) (syn. Microgale sorella) Species: Microgale pusilla [LC] Least Shrew Tenrec Species: Microgale soricoides [LC] Shrew-toothed Shrew Tenrec Species: Microgale taiva [LC] Taiva Shrew Tenrec Species: Microgale thomasi [LC] Thomas's Shrew Tenrec Genus: Nesogale3 Large-bodied Shrew Tenrecs Species:Nesogale dobsoni [LC] Dobson's Shrew Tenrec Species:Nesogale talazaci [LC] Talazac's Shrew Tenrec Genus: Oryzorictes Rice Tenrecs Species: Oryzorictes hova [LC] Mole-like Rice Tenrec (syn. Oryzorictes talpoides) Species: Oryzorictes tetradactylus [DD] Four-toed Rice Tenrec Tenrecomorpha Footnotes
1. Taxonomy follows Everson KM, V Soarimalala, SM Goodman & LE Olson. 2016. Multiple loci and complete taxonomic sampling resolve the phylogeny and biogeographic history of tenrecs (Mammalia: Tenrecidae) and reveal higher speciation rates in Madagascar’s humid forests. Systematic Biology 65: 890-909.
2. Formerly placed in the genus Limnogale.
3. Formerly synonymized with Microgale.
Tenrecomorpha References
Heim de Balsac H. and F. Bourlière. 1955. Ordre des Insectivores.Systématique. In P.-P. Grassé (ed.): Mammifères: anatomie, éthologie, systématique. Traité de Zoologie 17: 1653-1697. Masson, Paris.
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Order: Macroscelidea Sengis or Elephant-shrews Family: Macroscelididae Subfamily: Rhynchocyoninae Giant Sengis Genus: Rhynchocyon Species: Rhynchocyon chrysopygus [EN] Golden-rumped Sengi Species: Rhynchocyon cirnei [LC] Chequered Sengi Species: Rhynchocyon petersi [LC] Black and Rufous Sengi or Zanj Sengi Species: Rhynchocyon stuhlmanni [pending] White-tailed Sengi Species: Rhynchocyon udzungwensis [VU] Gray-faced sengi Subfamily: Macroscelidinae Soft-furred Sengis Genus: Petrodromus Species: Petrodromus tetradactylus [LC] Four-toed Sengi Genus: Petrosaltator Species: Petrosaltator rozeti [LC] North African Sengi Genus: Macroscelides Round-eared Sengis Species: Macroscelides flavicaudatus [LC] Namib round-eared sengi Species: Macroscelides micus [LC] Etendeka round-eared Sengi Species: Macroscelides proboscideus [LC] Karoo round-eared sengi Genus: Elephantulus Long-eared Sengis Species: Elephantulus brachyrhynchus [LC] Short-snouted Sengi Species: Elephantulus edwardii [LC] Cape Sengi Species: Elephantulus fuscipes [DD] Dusky-footed Sengi Species: Elephantulus fuscus [DD] Dusky Sengi Species: Elephantulus intufi [LC] Bushveld Sengi Species: Elephantulus myurus [LC] Eastern Rock Sengi Species: Elephantulus pilicaudus [DD] Karoo Rock Sengi Species: Elephantulus revoili [DD] Somali Sengi Species: Elephantulus rufescens [LC] Rufous Sengi Species: Elephantulus rupestris [LC] Western Rock Sengi Macroscelidea References
Corbet, G.B. and J. Hanks. 1968. A revision of the elephant-shrews, Family Macroscelididae. Bulletin of the British Museum of Natural History, Zoological Series 16:1-111.
Corbet, G.B. 1971. Family Macroscelididae. Part 1.5, pp. 1-6 in J. Meester and H.W. Setzer (eds). The Mammals of Africa: An Identification Manual. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C., USA.
Dumbacher, J.P., G.B. Rathbun, H.A. Smit, and S.J. Eiseb. 2012. Phylogeny and taxonomy of the round-eared sengis or elephant-shrews, genus Macroscelides (Mammalia, Afrotheria, Macroscelidea). PLoS ONE 7(3):e32410 (12 pp + 4 pp. supplement table).
Dumbacher, J.P., Rathbun, G.B., Osborne, T.O., Griffin, M., & Eiseb, S.J. (2014) A new species of round-eared sengi (genus Macroscelides) from Namibia. Journal of Mammalogy, 95, 443-454.
Rathbun, G.B. 2009. Why is there discordant diversity in sengi (Mammalia: Afrotheria: Macroscelidea) taxonomy and ecology? African Journal of Ecology 47:1-13.
Rathbun, G.B. and J. Kingdon. 2006. The etymology of “SENGI”. Afrotherian Conservation – Newsletter of the IUCN-SSC Afrotheria Specialist Group:4:14-15.
Rovero, F., G. B. Rathbun, A. Perkin, T. Jones, D. Ribble, C. Leonard, R. R. Mwakisoma, and N. Doggart. 2008. A new species of giant sengi or elephant-shrew (genus Rhynchocyon) highlights the exceptional biodiversity of the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania. Journal of Zoology, London 274:126-133.
Schlitter, D.A. 2005. Order Macroscelidea. Pp. 82-85 in Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition. Wilson, D. E. and D.M. Reeder (eds.). Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. 2142 pp.
Smit, H. A., T. J. Robinson, J. Watson, and B. Jansen van Vuuren. 2008. A new species of elephant- shrew (Afrotheria: Macroscelidea: Elephantulus) from South Africa. Journal of Mammalogy 89:1257-1269.
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Order: Tubulidentata (1 species) Family: Orycteropodidae Genus: Orycteropus Species: Orycteropus afer [LC] Aardvark Tubulidentata References
Lehmann, T. 2009. Phylogeny and systematics of the Orycteropididae (Mammalia, Tubulidentata). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 155:649-702.
Meester, J. 1971. Order Tubulidentata. Part 10, pp. 1-2 in J. Meester and H.W. Setzer (eds). The Mammals of Africa: An Identification Manual. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C., USA.
Schlitter, D.A. 2005. Order Tubulidentata. Pp. 86 in Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition. Wilson, D. E. and D.M. Reeder (eds.). Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. 2142 pp.
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Order: Hyracoidea (5 species) Hyraxes or Dassies Family: Procaviidae Genus: Dendrohyrax Tree Hyraxes Species: Dendrohyrax arboreus [LC] Southern Tree Hyrax Species: Dendrohyrax dorsalis [LC] Western Tree Hyrax Species: Dendrohyrax validus [LC] Eastern Tree Hyrax Genus: Heterohyrax Species: Heterohyrax brucei [LC] Yellow-spotted Hyrax Genus: Procavia Species: Procavia capensis [LC] Rock Hyrax Hyracoidea References
Shoshani, J. 2005. Order Hyracoidea. Pp. 87-89 in Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition. Wilson, D. E. and D.M. Reeder (eds.). Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. 2142 pp.
Schlitter, D. A., 1993, Order Hyracoidea. In: Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (eds. D. E. Wilson & D. M. Reeder) (Second Edition). Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D. C. pp. 373-374.