Nectogalini is a tribe

Tribe (biology)

In biology, a tribe is a taxonomic rank between family and genus. It is sometimes subdivided into subtribes.Some examples include the tribes: Canini, Acalypheae, Hominini, Bombini, and Antidesmeae.-See also:* Biological classification* Rank...

 of Old World

Old World

The Old World consists of those parts of the world known to classical antiquity and the European Middle Ages. It is used in the context of, and contrast with, the "New World" ....

 water shrew

Shrew

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...

s within the family Soricidae. As of late 2007, it consisted of six extant genera

Genus

In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...

 and 25 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...

, with some of the latter being further divided into subspecies

Subspecies

Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...

.

Adaptation to semi-aquatic life

Members of this tribe that are associated with a semi-aquatic mode of life, have developed several lifestyle adaptations. For example, some species in the genera

Genus

In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...

 Chimarrogale, Nectogale, Neomys

Neomys

The genus Neomys is a group of three Eurasian water shrews from the subfamily Soricinae of the family Soricidae. These shrews are found in most of Europe, and parts of Northern Asia as well as Turkey and Iran...

, and Sorex

Sorex

The genus Sorex includes many of the common shrews of Eurasia and North America. Members of this genus, known as long-tailed shrews, are the only members of the tribe Soricini of the subfamily Soricinae...

have stiff hairs on the sides of their toes and feet, both on their fore and hind limbs. These increase the surface area of the feet, assisting in locomotion during swimming. In addition, species such as Neomys fodiens have developed an elongated tails with the hairs forming a keel-like shape that acts similar to a rudder when the animal is in the water.

Genera

Chimarrogale (6 species)

Chodsigoa

Chodsigoa

Chodsigoa is a genus of shrew in the Nectogalini tribe.-Species:There are currently 8 species classified under the Chodsigoa genus:*Chodsigoa caovansunga *Chodsigoa hypsibia...

 (8 species)

Episoriculus

Episoriculus

Episoriculus is a genus of shrew in the Red-toothed shrew subfamily. They have been described to have a common name as the Brown-toothed shrews. It has been described as a subgenus to Soriculus in the past...

 (4 species)

Nectogale (monotypic)

Neomys

Neomys

The genus Neomys is a group of three Eurasian water shrews from the subfamily Soricinae of the family Soricidae. These shrews are found in most of Europe, and parts of Northern Asia as well as Turkey and Iran...

 (3 species)

Soriculus

Soriculus

Soriculus nigrescens, also known as the Himalayan Shrew, is a species of mammal in the Soricidae family. It is found in Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, and Nepal...

 (8 species)

†Nesiotites

Nesiotites

Nesiotites is an extinct genus in the shrew subfamily Soricinae.- Species :* Genus Nesiotites** Balearic Shrew ** Corsican Giant Shrew *** Sardinian Shrew...

(3 species)