Erinaceidae
Encyclopedia
Erinaceidae is the only living family in the order Erinaceomorpha, which has recently been subsumed with Soricomorpha
into the order Eulipotyphla. Eulipotyphla has been shown to be monophyletic; Soricomorpha is paraphyletic
because Soricidae shared a more recent common ancestor with Erinaceidae than with other soricomorphs.
Erinaceidae contains the well-known hedgehog
s (subfamily Erinaceinae) of Eurasia and Africa and the gymnure
s or moonrats (subfamily Galericinae) of South-east Asia. This family was once considered part of the order Insectivora
, but that polyphyletic
order is now considered defunct.
-like in form, with long snouts and short tails. They are, however, much larger than shrews, ranging from 10–15 cm in body length and 40-60 grams in weight, in the case of the Short-tailed Gymnure
, up to 26–45 cm and 1-1.4 kilograms in the Greater Moonrat. All but one species have five toes in each foot, in some cases with strong claws for digging, and they have large eyes and ears. Hedgehogs possess hair modified into sharp spines
to form a protective covering over the upper body and flanks, while gymnures have only normal hair. Most species have anal scent gland
s, but these are far better developed in gymnures, which can have a powerful odor.
Erinaceids are omnivorous
, with the major part of their diet consisting of insects, earthworms, and other small invertebrates. They also eat seeds and fruit, and occasionally bird's eggs, along with any carrion
they come across. Their teeth are sharp and suited for impaling invertebrate prey. The dental formula
for erinaceids is:
Hedgehogs are nocturnal, but gymnures are less so, and may be active during the day. Many species live in simple burrows, while others construct temporary nests on the surface from leaves and grass, or shelter in hollow logs or similar hiding places. Erinaceids are solitary animals outside the breeding season, and the father plays no role in raising the young.
Female erinaceids give birth after a gestation period of around six to seven weeks. The young are born blind and hairless, although hedgehogs begin to sprout their spines within 36 hours of birth.
. The so-called 'giant hedgehog' (actually a gymnure
) Deinogalerix
, from the Miocene
of Gargano Island (part of modern Italy
), was the size of a large rabbit, and may have eaten vertebrate prey or carrion, rather than insects.
Soricomorpha
The order Soricomorpha is taxon within the class of mammals. In previous years it formed a significant group within the former order Insectivora...
into the order Eulipotyphla. Eulipotyphla has been shown to be monophyletic; Soricomorpha is paraphyletic
Paraphyly
A group of taxa is said to be paraphyletic if the group consists of all the descendants of a hypothetical closest common ancestor minus one or more monophyletic groups of descendants...
because Soricidae shared a more recent common ancestor with Erinaceidae than with other soricomorphs.
Erinaceidae contains the well-known hedgehog
Hedgehog
A hedgehog is any of the spiny mammals of the subfamily Erinaceinae and the order Erinaceomorpha. There are 17 species of hedgehog in five genera, found through parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and New Zealand . There are no hedgehogs native to Australia, and no living species native to the Americas...
s (subfamily Erinaceinae) of Eurasia and Africa and the gymnure
Gymnure
The gymnure, also called a hairy hedgehog or moonrat, is a type of mammal belonging to the subfamily Galericinae, in the family Erinaceidae and the order Erinaceomorpha...
s or moonrats (subfamily Galericinae) of South-east Asia. This family was once considered part of the order Insectivora
Insectivora
The order Insectivora is a now-abandoned biological grouping within the class of mammals...
, but that polyphyletic
Polyphyly
A polyphyletic group is one whose members' last common ancestor is not a member of the group.For example, the group consisting of warm-blooded animals is polyphyletic, because it contains both mammals and birds, but the most recent common ancestor of mammals and birds was cold-blooded...
order is now considered defunct.
Characteristics
Erinaceids are generally shrewShrew
A shrew or shrew mouse is a small molelike mammal classified in the order Soricomorpha. True shrews are also not to be confused with West Indies shrews, treeshrews, otter shrews, or elephant shrews, which belong to different families or orders.Although its external appearance is generally that of...
-like in form, with long snouts and short tails. They are, however, much larger than shrews, ranging from 10–15 cm in body length and 40-60 grams in weight, in the case of the Short-tailed Gymnure
Short-tailed Gymnure
The Short-tailed Gymnure is a small erinaceomorph that is found in southeast Asia. This gymnure, which resembles a large mouse, grows to a length of 4-6 inches, and feeds on insects, worms and other small animals.-External links:*...
, up to 26–45 cm and 1-1.4 kilograms in the Greater Moonrat. All but one species have five toes in each foot, in some cases with strong claws for digging, and they have large eyes and ears. Hedgehogs possess hair modified into sharp spines
Spine (zoology)
A spine is a hard, thorny or needle-like structure which occurs on various animals. Animals such as porcupines and sea urchins grow spines as a self-defense mechanism. Spines are often formed of keratin...
to form a protective covering over the upper body and flanks, while gymnures have only normal hair. Most species have anal scent gland
Scent gland
Scent glands are found in the genital area of most mammals and in various other parts of the body, such as the underarms of humans and the preorbital glands of deer and muskox. They produce a semi-viscous fluid which contains pheromones. These odor-messengers indicate information such as status,...
s, but these are far better developed in gymnures, which can have a powerful odor.
Erinaceids are omnivorous
Omnivore
Omnivores are species that eat both plants and animals as their primary food source...
, with the major part of their diet consisting of insects, earthworms, and other small invertebrates. They also eat seeds and fruit, and occasionally bird's eggs, along with any carrion
Carrion
Carrion refers to the carcass of a dead animal. Carrion is an important food source for large carnivores and omnivores in most ecosystems. Examples of carrion-eaters include vultures, hawks, eagles, hyenas, Virginia Opossum, Tasmanian Devils, coyotes, Komodo dragons, and burying beetles...
they come across. Their teeth are sharp and suited for impaling invertebrate prey. The dental formula
Dentition
Dentition pertains to the development of teeth and their arrangement in the mouth. In particular, the characteristic arrangement, kind, and number of teeth in a given species at a given age...
for erinaceids is:
Hedgehogs are nocturnal, but gymnures are less so, and may be active during the day. Many species live in simple burrows, while others construct temporary nests on the surface from leaves and grass, or shelter in hollow logs or similar hiding places. Erinaceids are solitary animals outside the breeding season, and the father plays no role in raising the young.
Female erinaceids give birth after a gestation period of around six to seven weeks. The young are born blind and hairless, although hedgehogs begin to sprout their spines within 36 hours of birth.
Evolution
Erinaceids are a relatively primitive group of placental mammals, having changed little since their origin in the EoceneEocene
The Eocene Epoch, lasting from about 56 to 34 million years ago , is a major division of the geologic timescale and the second epoch of the Paleogene Period in the Cenozoic Era. The Eocene spans the time from the end of the Palaeocene Epoch to the beginning of the Oligocene Epoch. The start of the...
. The so-called 'giant hedgehog' (actually a gymnure
Gymnure
The gymnure, also called a hairy hedgehog or moonrat, is a type of mammal belonging to the subfamily Galericinae, in the family Erinaceidae and the order Erinaceomorpha...
) Deinogalerix
Deinogalerix
Deinogalerix , was a genus of the order Erinaceomorpha, which lived in Italy in the Late Miocene. The genus was apparently endemic to what was then Gargano Island, today's Gargano peninsula...
, from the Miocene
Miocene
The Miocene is a geological epoch of the Neogene Period and extends from about . The Miocene was named by Sir Charles Lyell. Its name comes from the Greek words and and means "less recent" because it has 18% fewer modern sea invertebrates than the Pliocene. The Miocene follows the Oligocene...
of Gargano Island (part of modern Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
), was the size of a large rabbit, and may have eaten vertebrate prey or carrion, rather than insects.
Classification
There are 10 genera and 24 species of erinaceid.- ORDER ERINACEOMORPHA
- †Family Amphilemuridae
- †Genus Alsaticopithecus
- †Genus Amphilemur
- †Genus Gesneropithex
- †Genus MacrocranionMacrocranionMacrocranion is a genus of extinct mammal. Macrocranion has been found in the Messel Pit.The genus Macrocranion is represented in this site by two species. M. tupaiodon had woolly fur with no spikes. Although possibly an omnivore, fossil remains indicate the specimen had eaten fish near the time of...
- †Genus PholidocercusPholidocercusPholidocercus is an extinct monotypic genus of mammal related to and resembling the modern-day hedgehog with a single species Pholidocercus hassiacus. Like the hedgehog, it was covered in thin spines. Unlike hedgehogs, it had scales on its head in a helmet-like formation, and had a long, thick,...
- Family Erinaceidae
- Subfamily Erinaceinae (Hedgehogs)
- Genus AtelerixAtelerixAtelerix is a genus of mammal in the Erinaceidae family. It contains four species.-Species:* Four-toed Hedgehog * North African Hedgehog * Southern African Hedgehog...
- Four-toed HedgehogFour-toed hedgehogThe Four-toed Hedgehog , or African Pygmy Hedgehog, is a species of hedgehog found throughout much of central and eastern Africa....
, Atelerix albiventris - North African Hedgehog, Atelerix algirus
- Southern African HedgehogSouthern African HedgehogThe Southern African Hedgehog is a species of mammal in the Erinaceidae family. It is found in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.-Physical description:...
, Atelerix frontalis - Somali HedgehogSomali HedgehogThe Somali Hedgehog is a species of mammal in the Erinaceidae family. It is endemic to Somalia.-References:* World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1996. . Downloaded on 30 July 2007....
, Atelerix sclateri
- Four-toed Hedgehog
- Genus ErinaceusErinaceusErinaceus is a genus of European hedgehog from the family of Erinaceidae. There are four main species of Erinaceus. The range is all across Europe, throughout the Middle East, parts of Russia, and extending to northern China...
- Amur HedgehogAmur HedgehogThe Amur Hedgehog is a hedgehog similar to the West European Hedgehog in outlook and lifestyle, although it is more lightly coloured. An average animal weighs from 600 to 1000 grams. Native to Amur Krai and Primorye in Russia, Manchuria in China and the Korean peninsula....
, Erinaceus amurensis - Southern White-breasted Hedgehog, Erinaceus concolor
- European HedgehogEuropean HedgehogThe European Hedgehog , Common hedgehog or just Hedgehog in the anglophone parts of Europe, is a hedgehog species found in northern and western Europe. It is about 20 to 30 cm in length. Adult mass typically ranges from 600 to up to 1,200 g ; occasionally, it may reach as much as...
, Erinaceus europaeus - Northern White-breasted HedgehogNorthern White-breasted HedgehogThe Northern White-breasted Hedgehog is a species of hedgehog.The range of the species extends in the west as far as Poland, Austria and the former Yugoslavia, and south to Greece and the Adriatic Islands, including populations on Crete, Corfu and Rhodes. It is found eastwards through Russia and...
, Erinaceus roumanicus
- Amur Hedgehog
- Genus HemiechinusHemiechinusHemiechinus is a genus of hedgehogs. It contains two species.-Species:* Long-eared Hedgehog * Indian Long-eared Hedgehog...
- Long-eared HedgehogLong-eared HedgehogThe Long-eared hedgehog is a species of hedgehog native to Central Asian countries and the Middle East. The long-eared hedgehog lives in burrows that it either makes or finds and is distinguished by its long ears. It is considered one of the smallest middle eastern hedgehogs . This Hedgehog is...
, Hemiechinus auritus - Indian Long-eared HedgehogIndian Long-eared HedgehogThe Indian Long-eared Hedgehog is a relatively small hedgehog native to India and Pakistan. It is insectivorous and nocturnal. -Description:...
, Hemiechinus collaris
- Long-eared Hedgehog
- Genus MesechinusMesechinusMesechinus is a genus of hedgehogs. It contains two species.-Species:* Daurian Hedgehog * Hugh's Hedgehog...
- Daurian HedgehogDaurian HedgehogThe Daurian Hedgehog is a solitary small hedgehog. It is listed in Red book of Russian Federation as a protected species with an unclear status, generally considered to be endangered, although the IUCN lists it as "least concern". It populates the Transbaikal region of Russia and Northern Mongolia...
, Mesechinus dauuricus - Hugh's HedgehogHugh's HedgehogHugh's Hedgehog , also sometimes referred to as the Central Chinese Hedgehog, is a hedgehog native to Central China and Manchuria. It prefers open areas, but can be found in shrubs and forests....
, Mesechinus hughi
- Daurian Hedgehog
- Genus ParaechinusParaechinusParaechinus is a genus of hedgehogs. It contains four species.-Species:* Desert Hedgehog * Brandt's Hedgehog * Indian Hedgehog...
- Desert HedgehogDesert HedgehogThe desert hedgehog is a species of mammal in the Erinaceidae family.-Description:The desert hedgehog is one of the smallest of hedgehogs. It is 5.5 to 11 inches long and weighs about 10-18 ounces. The spines on its back can be banded with coloring similar to the four-toed hedgehog...
, Paraechinus aethiopicus - Brandt's HedgehogBrandt's HedgehogBrandt's Hedgehog is a species of desert hedgehog native to the Middle East and Middle Asia. Brandt's Hedgehog is approximately the size of the West European Hedgehog , but has distinctively large ears similar to the Long-eared Hedgehog and is a much faster runner due to lighter Brandt's Hedgehog...
, Paraechinus hypomelas - Indian HedgehogIndian HedgehogThe Indian Hedgehog is a species of hedgehogs native to India and Pakistan. The Indian Hedgehog is known for its masked face, somewhat similar to a raccoon...
, Paraechinus micropus - Bare-bellied HedgehogBare-bellied HedgehogThe Bare-bellied Hedgehog , also known as the Madras Hedgehog, is a species of hedgehog that is endemic to dry scrubby areas in south-eastern India. As it was believed to be rare, it was formerly listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN...
, Paraechinus nudiventris
- Desert Hedgehog
- Genus Atelerix
- Subfamily Galericinae (Gymnures, or Moonrats)
- Genus DeinogalerixDeinogalerixDeinogalerix , was a genus of the order Erinaceomorpha, which lived in Italy in the Late Miocene. The genus was apparently endemic to what was then Gargano Island, today's Gargano peninsula...
(Extinct) - Genus Echinosorex
- Greater Moonrat, Echinosorex gymnura
- Genus HylomysHylomysHylomys is a small genus of the family Erinaceidae. Hylomys species, like all species in the subfamily Galericinae, are known as gymnures or moonrats...
- Long-eared Gymnure, Hylomys megalotis
- Dwarf GymnureDwarf GymnureThe Dwarf Gymnure is a gymnure found only at Mount Kerinci, Sumatra, Indonesia. It is listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as a critically endangered species due to a restricted range....
, Hylomys parvus - Short-tailed GymnureShort-tailed GymnureThe Short-tailed Gymnure is a small erinaceomorph that is found in southeast Asia. This gymnure, which resembles a large mouse, grows to a length of 4-6 inches, and feeds on insects, worms and other small animals.-External links:*...
or Lesser Moonrat, Hylomys suillus
- Genus Neohylomys
- Hainan GymnureHainan GymnureThe Hainan Gymnure or Hainan Moonrat is a species of mammal in the Erinaceidae family. It is endemic to China. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.It is in the monotypic genus Neohylomys....
, Neonylomys hainanensis
- Hainan Gymnure
- Genus Neotetracus
- Shrew GymnureShrew GymnureThe Shrew Gymnure or Shrew Hedgehog is a species of mammal in the Erinaceidae family. It is found in China, Myanmar, and Vietnam.It is the only species in the genus Neotetracus.-Source:...
, Neotetracus sinensis
- Shrew Gymnure
- Genus PodogymnuraPodogymnuraPodogymnura is a genus of mammal in the Erinaceidae family.It contains the following species:* Dinagat Moonrat * Mindanao Gymnure...
- Dinagat GymnureDinagat GymnureThe Dinagat Gymnure is a species of mammal in the Erinaceidae family. It is endemic to the Philippines.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:...
, Podogymnura aureospinula - Mindanao GymnureMindanao GymnureThe Mindanao Gymnure or Mindanao Moonrat is a species of mammal in the Erinaceidae family. It is endemic to the Philippines. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests. It is threatened by habitat loss....
, Podogymnura truei
- Dinagat Gymnure
- Genus Deinogalerix
- Subfamily Erinaceinae (Hedgehogs)
- †Family Amphilemuridae