Neohylomys hainanensis, T. H. Shaw & Wong Song, 1959

Russell A. Mittermeier & Don E. Wilson, 2018, Erinaceidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 8 Insectivores, Sloths and Colugos, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 288-330 : 329

24.

Hainan Gymnure

Neohylomys hainanensis

French: Gymnure de Hainan / German: Hainan-Rattenigel / Spanish: Gimnuro de Hainan

Other common names: Hainan Moonrat

Taxonomy. Neohylomys hainanensis T. H. Shaw & Wong Song, 1959 ,

“Pai-sa Hsian, Hainan Island.” Interpreted by D. R. Frost and colleagues in 1991 as “Baisha Xian, which is an administrative unit at 19°13’N, 109°26’E,” China. This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Hainan I, China.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 120-147 mm, tail 36-43 mm, ear 16-22 mm, hindfoot 24-29 mm; weight 50-70 g. Head

of the Hainan Gymnureis blackish gray, mixed with brown. Back is rusty brown, mixed with gray. Long, black stripe on middle of back is darker on head and anterior part of body and paler toward posterior part of body. Sides are washed with pale olive-yellow, and underparts are pale gray or yellowish white. Ears, feet, and tail are almost naked, with minute scattered short hairs. Whiskers are black and up to 35 mm long. Dental formulais13/3,C1/1,P4/3,M 3/3 (x2) = 42. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 32 and FN = 64.

Habitat. Damp forests including tropical rainforests and subtropical evergreen forests.

Food and Feeding. Diet of the Hainan Gymnure includes invertebrates and plant material.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. The Hainan Gymnure is nocturnal and terrestrial. It spends most of its time in subterranean burrows. Its cylindrical body, shorttail, and less-developed claws are adaptations for a fossoriallifestyle.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Hainan Gymnures are solitary.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. Extent of occurrence of the Hainan Gymnureis less than 5000 km?®. It is only known from Hainan Island, where remaining patches of evergreen forests are shrinking due to harvesting of timber and expansion of agriculture.

Bibliography. Beer (2003), Bhatnagar & EI-Azawi (1978), Corbet (1988), Frost et al. (1991), Hubner et al. (1991), Hutterer (2005a), Jenkins & Robinson (2002), Li Yuchun et al. (2008), Nowak (1999), Reumer & Meylan (1986), Shaw & Wong Song (1959), Smith & Yan Xie (2013), Stone (1995b), Zima & Kral (1984).

Figures

1. West European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), 2. Northern White-breasted Hedgehog (Erimaceus roumanicus), 3. Southern White-breasted Hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor), 4. Amur Hedgehog (Erinaceus amurensis), 5. North African Hedgehog (Atelerix algirus), 6. Four-toed Hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris), 7. Somali Hedgehog (Atelerix sclateri), 8. Southern African Hedgehog (Atelerix frontalis), 9. Desert Hedgehog (Paraechinus aethiopicus), 10. Brandt's Hedgehog (Paraechinus hypomelas), 11. Indian Hedgehog (Paraechinus micropus), 12. Bare-bellied Hedgehog (Paraechinus nudiventris), 13. Common Long-eared Hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus), 14. Indian Long-eared Hedgehog (Hemiechinus collaris), 15. Wang's Forest Hedgehog (Mesechinus wangi), 16. Small-toothed Forest Hedgehog (Mesechinus miodon), 17. Daurian Hedgehog (Mesechinus dawuricus), 18. Hugh's Hedgehog (Mesechinus hughi), 19. Long-eared Gymnure (Hylomys megalotis), 20. Dwarf Gymnure (Hylomys parvus), 21. Short-tailed Gymnure (Hylomys suillus), 22. Moonrat (Echinosorex gymnurus), 23. Shrew Gymnure (Neotetracus sinensis), 24. Hainan Gymnure (Neohylomys hainanensis), 25. Mindanao Gymnure (Podogymnura truei), 26. Dinagat Gymnure (Podogymnura aureospinula)

Distribution. Hainan I, China.