| Uropsilus | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Eulipotyphla |
| Family: | Talpidae |
| Subfamily: | Uropsilinae Dobson, 1883 |
| Genus: | Uropsilus Milne-Edwards, 1871 |
| Type species | |
| Uropsilus soricipes | |
| Species | |
See text | |
Theshrew moles orshrew-like moles (Uropsilus)[1] are shrew-like members ofthe mole family of mammalsendemic to theforested, high-alpine region borderingChina,Myanmar, andVietnam. They possess a long snout, a long slender tail, external ears, and small forefeet unspecialized for burrowing. Although they are similar toshrews in size, external appearance, and, presumably, ecological habits, they are neverthelesstalpids and considered truemoles, as they share a fullzygomatic arch with all other moles, while this arch is completely absent in shrews.[2]
The genus is the only one of the subfamilyUropsilinae, which is one of the three main subfamilies of Talpidae, the other two beingTalpinae, or Old World moles and relatives; and theScalopinae, or New World moles. Although little is currently known regarding any aspect of their natural history, the Uropsilinae are thought to be the most ancestral group of moles, and as such, very similar to the primitive talpid from which all Talpidae have evolved.Uropsilus is thought to be arelict genus; despite the small distribution of the modern-day species, the subfamily once had a much wider range throughoutEurasia.[3]
The genus contains the following species:[4]
Although each species' official English common name still calls them "shrew moles",[4]Uropsilus today are referred to as "shrew-like moles" to distinguish them from othershrew moles,Neurotrichus gibbsii of North America and theUrotrichini, or Japanese shrew moles, both of which are morphologically quite different fromUropsilus and are grouped with the Old World moles and relatives. As a result, the term "shrew-like moles" has been used to refer toUropsilus, although specific species are still called "shrew moles".
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