The Lwiro shrew or Misotshi-Kabogo shrew (Crocidura lwiroensis) is a species of mammal in the family Soricidae. It is endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[2]
| Lwiro shrew | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Eulipotyphla |
| Family: | Soricidae |
| Genus: | Crocidura |
| Species: | C. lwiroensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Crocidura lwiroensis Kerbis Peterhans & Hutterer, 2013
| |
Etymology
editIt is named in honor of the research team based at the Lwiro (Centre National de Recherche Scientifique) biological research station north of Bukavu.[1][3]
Distribution and habitat
editIt is found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where it is restricted to a small portion of the Albertine Rift on the western shore of Lake Tanganyika. It is restricted to the Misotshi-Kabogo highlands, an isolated region of montane forest south of the Itombwe Mountains. The only known specimen was found along a creek in a primary forest.[1]
Description
editIt is very small in body size with a nearly naked tail. It has dark gray fur above and lighter gray fur below. It has a total length of 110 mm, a tail of 45 mm, and a weight of 5.6 g.[3]
Status
editAlthough classified as Data Deficient due to lack of studies, it is likely threatened by deforestation for agricultural expansion, mining concessions, as well as an increase in local population from migration by refugees from the Kivu conflict, which may impact the ecosystem.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Plumptre, A.J.; Dando, T.; Kennerley, R. (2020). "Crocidura lwiroensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T112139630A166620647. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T112139630A166620647.en. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
- ^ "Explore the Database". www.mammaldiversity.org. Retrieved 2022-03-12.
- ^ a b J.C. Kerbis Peterhans; M.H. Huhndorf; A.J. Plumptre; R. Hutterer; P. Kaleme; B. Ndara (2013). "Mammals, other than bats, from the Misotshi-Kabogo highlands (eastern Democratic Republic of Congo), with the description of two new species (Mammalia: Soricidae)" (PDF). Field Museum.