Grey-faced Sengi
Encyclopedia
The Grey-faced Sengi (Rhynchocyon udzungwensis) is a species
of elephant shrew
that is endemic to the Udzungwa Mountains
of south-central Tanzania
. The discovery of the species was announced in January 2008; only fifteen species of elephant shrew were known until then, and the last discovery was made more than 120 years ago. As the name implies, the species is characterised by a distinctive grey face and a black rump, as well as being larger than the other species of elephant shrews.
or sengi family, belonging to the genus Rhynchocyon
. Its discovery was announced in 2008. Until this species was discovered, only fifteen species of elephant shrew were known, with the last living species having been described more than a century ago (the Eastern Rock Elephant Shrew
, Elephantulus myurus). The event therefore represents a rare discovery, not only for these animals, but for mammals in general. The creature was found living in a small community in the high-altitude Ndundulu Forest in Tanzania
's Udzungwa Mountains
, an isolated area of great biodiversity where a number of other new species have been discovered, including the Udzungwa Forest-partridge
, a species of monkey
called the Kipunji
, and several species of amphibians and reptiles.
This new species was first seen when caught on film in 2005 by Francesco Rovero of the Museum of Natural Sciences in Trento
, Italy
, who set up camera traps and captured an unfamiliar elephant shrew. The results were sent to Galen Rathbun of the California Academy of Sciences
. Rathbun, unable to identify the shrew went on a two-week expedition with Rovero in March 2006 to search for specimens of the shrew. During the expedition, the zoologists were surprised by rain, even though it was supposed to be the dry season. They then found that the animal was larger than they had expected, and that the traps they had brought would not contain it. Instead they had to use traditional twine snares. "This is one of the most exciting discoveries of my career," Rathbun said. "It is the first new species of giant elephant-shrew to be discovered in more than 126 years. From the moment I first lifted one of the animals into our photography tent, I knew it must be a new species not just because of its distinct coloring, but because it was so heavy!"
Rathbun, Rovero, and coauthors published their description of the species in an issue of the British Journal of Zoology
. The new species was given the binomial name
Rhynchocyon udzungwensis (meaning 'snouted dog from Udzungwa'), and the English name Grey-faced Sengi from its physical characteristics.
. The habitat of the Grey-faced Sengi consists mostly of terrestrial system with moist, sub-montane and montane evergreen to upper montane closed-canopy forests, including bamboo
thickets.
can negatively affect the species greatly. Other theories to the endangerment of the species may be due to hunting by local tribes. This however cannot be proven and was not seen while Rathbun and Rovero visited Tanzania.
Conservation efforts include local community outreach programs. In order to save the species the public is informed of the importance of preserving the Sengi's natural habitat. This could cut down on native hunting or habitat destruction. The habitat also falls between two nature reserves which can allow the species to have extra protection from hunters and the ever expanding human population. Since the nature reserves do not allow hunting or destruction of the forest and animals the Grey-faced Sengi is almost guaranteed protection from the outside world. By providing accommodations and research resources to visiting scientists the Sengi may have a higher chance of survival. Deliver technical advice to the park's Ecology Department and the Forestry Division for implementing scientifically rigorous ecological monitoring. There are ways the parks are able to conserve species without concentrating on a specific species. By implement monitoring programs, organize training courses for rangers, scouts, park ecologists and university students, promote school education programs, network with other monitoring initiatives and biological field stations elsewhere in Tanzania and the tropics, in order to standardize monitoring protocols and exchanging data and information. Unfortunately no plan, as of yet, has been developed for the future protection or rehabilitation of the species.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of elephant shrew
Elephant shrew
Elephant shrews or jumping shrews are small insectivorous mammals native to Africa, belonging to the family Macroscelididae, in the order Macroscelidea...
that is endemic to the Udzungwa Mountains
Udzungwa Mountains
The Udzungwa Mountains are a mountain range south east of Dodoma in Tanzania and are part of the Eastern Arc Mountains. They are covered with tropical rainforest, mountain forest, miombo woodland, grassland, steppe and are home to many large mammals, including the Udzungwa Red Colobus and Tana...
of south-central Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
. The discovery of the species was announced in January 2008; only fifteen species of elephant shrew were known until then, and the last discovery was made more than 120 years ago. As the name implies, the species is characterised by a distinctive grey face and a black rump, as well as being larger than the other species of elephant shrews.
Description
The fur of this sengi is sparse and glossy with a gray facial coloration and bright red pelage. A wide maroon stripe is noted along the back of the animal as well as jet black hindquarters with a light brown belly and tail. In comparison to the other sengis the Grey-faced Sengi is larger in proportion and the upper tooth row is longer. The mean length of this species is 56.4 centimetres (22.2 in) while the mean weight is 711 grams (25.1 oz). At 700 grams (1.5 lb), this species is about 25 percent larger than any other known sengi.Taxonomy
The Grey-faced Sengi is a species of the elephant shrewElephant shrew
Elephant shrews or jumping shrews are small insectivorous mammals native to Africa, belonging to the family Macroscelididae, in the order Macroscelidea...
or sengi family, belonging to the genus Rhynchocyon
Rhynchocyon
Rhynchocyon is a genus of elephant shrew in the Macroscelididae family. Members of this genus are known colloquially as the checkered elephant shrews.It contains the following four species:*Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew, Rhynchocyon chrysopygus...
. Its discovery was announced in 2008. Until this species was discovered, only fifteen species of elephant shrew were known, with the last living species having been described more than a century ago (the Eastern Rock Elephant Shrew
Eastern Rock Elephant Shrew
The Eastern Rock Elephant Shrew or Eastern Rock Sengi is a species of elephant shrew in the Macroscelididae family. It is found in Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland and rocky areas....
, Elephantulus myurus). The event therefore represents a rare discovery, not only for these animals, but for mammals in general. The creature was found living in a small community in the high-altitude Ndundulu Forest in Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
's Udzungwa Mountains
Udzungwa Mountains
The Udzungwa Mountains are a mountain range south east of Dodoma in Tanzania and are part of the Eastern Arc Mountains. They are covered with tropical rainforest, mountain forest, miombo woodland, grassland, steppe and are home to many large mammals, including the Udzungwa Red Colobus and Tana...
, an isolated area of great biodiversity where a number of other new species have been discovered, including the Udzungwa Forest-partridge
Udzungwa Forest-partridge
The Udzungwa Forest Partridge, Xenoperdix udzungwensis also known as Udzungwa Partridge is a small, approximately long, boldly barred, brownish partridge with rufous face, grey underparts, olive-brown crown and upperparts. It has a red bill, brown iris and yellow legs...
, a species of monkey
Monkey
A monkey is a primate, either an Old World monkey or a New World monkey. There are about 260 known living species of monkey. Many are arboreal, although there are species that live primarily on the ground, such as baboons. Monkeys are generally considered to be intelligent. Unlike apes, monkeys...
called the Kipunji
Kipunji
The kipunji is a species of Old World monkey that lives in the highland forests of Tanzania. It is the only member of its genus. Also known as the highland mangabey, it is about three feet long and has long brown fur, which stands in tufts on the sides and top of its head. Its face and eyelids...
, and several species of amphibians and reptiles.
This new species was first seen when caught on film in 2005 by Francesco Rovero of the Museum of Natural Sciences in Trento
Trento
Trento is an Italian city located in the Adige River valley in Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol. It is the capital of Trentino...
, 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...
, who set up camera traps and captured an unfamiliar elephant shrew. The results were sent to Galen Rathbun of the California Academy of Sciences
California Academy of Sciences
The California Academy of Sciences is among the largest museums of natural history in the world. The academy began in 1853 as a learned society and still carries out a large amount of original research, with exhibits and education becoming significant endeavors of the museum during the twentieth...
. Rathbun, unable to identify the shrew went on a two-week expedition with Rovero in March 2006 to search for specimens of the shrew. During the expedition, the zoologists were surprised by rain, even though it was supposed to be the dry season. They then found that the animal was larger than they had expected, and that the traps they had brought would not contain it. Instead they had to use traditional twine snares. "This is one of the most exciting discoveries of my career," Rathbun said. "It is the first new species of giant elephant-shrew to be discovered in more than 126 years. From the moment I first lifted one of the animals into our photography tent, I knew it must be a new species not just because of its distinct coloring, but because it was so heavy!"
Rathbun, Rovero, and coauthors published their description of the species in an issue of the British Journal of Zoology
Journal of Zoology
The Journal of Zoology is a scientific journal concerning zoology, the study of animals. It was founded in 1830 by the Zoological Society of London and is published by Wiley-Blackwell. It carries original research papers, which are targeted towards general readers...
. The new species was given the binomial name
Binomial nomenclature
Binomial nomenclature is a formal system of naming species of living things by giving each a name composed of two parts, both of which use Latin grammatical forms, although they can be based on words from other languages...
Rhynchocyon udzungwensis (meaning 'snouted dog from Udzungwa'), and the English name Grey-faced Sengi from its physical characteristics.
Habitat
The Grey-faced Sengi is endemic to the Udzungwa Mountains of south-central Tanzania. The sengi ranges from the forests of Ndundulu-Lauhomero to the Mwanihana forests. The Udzungwa Mountains are one part in a series of isolated mountain ranges stretching from southern Kenya to the south-central part of Tanzania. Due to the isolation of these mountains a wide range of biodiversity was developed. Many of the species found within these mountains cannot be found anywhere else in the world and is the only place where the Grey-faced Sengi is found. Only two populations are known, existing within an area covering around 300 square kilometres (115.8 sq mi) of forest. The natural habitat of this species falls within two nature reserves. Udzungwa Ecological Monitoring Centre and the Udzungwa Mountains National ParkUdzungwa Mountains National Park
Udzungwa Mountains National Park is a national park in Tanzania. The habitats contained within the national park include tropical rainforest, mountain forest, miombo woodland, grassland and steppe. There is a vertical height range of 250–2,576 metres , which incorporates the Udzunga Mountains part...
. The habitat of the Grey-faced Sengi consists mostly of terrestrial system with moist, sub-montane and montane evergreen to upper montane closed-canopy forests, including bamboo
Bamboo
Bamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family....
thickets.
Reproduction
Rhynchocyon udzungwensis is believed to have a population size of about 50–80 individuals and a 1:1 male to female ratio. The Sengi builds a nest out of leaves and soil with as many as 4 to 5 nests per tree and are believed to have 1–2 infants per birth. Not much is known about the reproductive morphology or the ecology of the Sengi because the species is newly discovered.Threats
The only major threat to the survival of the Grey-faced Sengi is human population expansion. Expanding human population in Africa, especially in Tanzania, will inevitably result in various pressures on the dwindling forests there and the species that live within that habitat. An indirect threat that is most noticeable to the endangerment of the Sengi is human-set forest fires. This provides a major threat because of the Sengi depends on its forest habitat. With so few individuals within the population any form of habitat destructionHabitat destruction
Habitat destruction is the process in which natural habitat is rendered functionally unable to support the species present. In this process, the organisms that previously used the site are displaced or destroyed, reducing biodiversity. Habitat destruction by human activity mainly for the purpose of...
can negatively affect the species greatly. Other theories to the endangerment of the species may be due to hunting by local tribes. This however cannot be proven and was not seen while Rathbun and Rovero visited Tanzania.
Conservation efforts include local community outreach programs. In order to save the species the public is informed of the importance of preserving the Sengi's natural habitat. This could cut down on native hunting or habitat destruction. The habitat also falls between two nature reserves which can allow the species to have extra protection from hunters and the ever expanding human population. Since the nature reserves do not allow hunting or destruction of the forest and animals the Grey-faced Sengi is almost guaranteed protection from the outside world. By providing accommodations and research resources to visiting scientists the Sengi may have a higher chance of survival. Deliver technical advice to the park's Ecology Department and the Forestry Division for implementing scientifically rigorous ecological monitoring. There are ways the parks are able to conserve species without concentrating on a specific species. By implement monitoring programs, organize training courses for rangers, scouts, park ecologists and university students, promote school education programs, network with other monitoring initiatives and biological field stations elsewhere in Tanzania and the tropics, in order to standardize monitoring protocols and exchanging data and information. Unfortunately no plan, as of yet, has been developed for the future protection or rehabilitation of the species.