Hylomys megalotis Jenkins & M. F. Robinson 2002

19. Long-eared Gymnure Hylomys megalotis French: Gymnure oreillard / German: Langohr-Rattenigel / Spanish: Gimnuro de orejas largas Other common names: Long-eared Moonrat Taxonomy. Hylomys megalotis Jenkins & M. FE. Robinson, 2002, “ Environs of Ban Muang and Ban Doy, ¢ 18 km North of Thakhek, Thakhek district, Khammouan Limestone National Biodiversity Conservation Area, Khammouan Province, Lao Peoples Democratic Republic, 17°33’15"N 104°49°307E.” This species is monotypic. Distribution. Known only from the type locality in Khammouan Province, C Laos. Descriptive notes. Head-body 115-135 mm, tail 82-94 mm, ear 20-24 mm, hindfoot 20-22 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. The Long-eared Gymnure is medium-sized relative to other species of Hylomys. Pelage is gray, long, soft, and fine, lacking flattened spinous hairs. Individual hairs are gray for most of their lengths and then buff with buff or black tips. Microstructures of hair and vibrissae are similar to those on the Short-tailed Gymnure (H. suillus) and the Shrew Gymnure (Neotetracus sinensis); there are spear-shaped lead hairs and zig-zag guard hairs, but there are no downy hairs. Hairs of the Long-eared Gymnure are longer than those of most other species of gymnures. Thin convoluted bases of hairs are bound up contributing to formation of a layer of air near surface of skin that improves thermal insulation in the absence of downy hairs. Long snout with well-developed nasal vibrissae and numerous long vibrissae on muzzle, neck, wrists, and forearms are important and effective for orientation in complex terrain and karst habitats. Dorsal region of rhinarium is narrow and elongate posteriorly. Ears are prominent, large, and rounded. First and fifth digits of forefeet are long, claws are long and moderately stout, sole and tarsal regions of hindfeet are naked, and bonesoffeet are large. The Long-eared Gymnureis readily distinguished in external appearance from other species of Hylomys, the Hainan Gymnure (Neohylomys hainanensis), and the Shrew Gymnure; it is similar in size but has considerably longer tail and larger ears. Tail is 65-74% of head-body length in the Long-eared Gymnure, 51-63% in the Shrew Gymnure, 27-31% in the Hainan Gymnure, and less than 25% in the Dwarf Gymnure (Hylomys parvus) and the Short-tailed Gymnure. Lack of flattened spinous hairs in pelage distinguishes the Long-eared Gymnure from the Short-tailed Gymnure and the Shrew Gymnure. Rhinarium is more extensive posteriorly than on the Shrew Gymnure but more elongate and narrower than on the Short-tailed Gymnure. Claws and first and fifth digits of forefeet of the Shrew Gymnure, the Short-tailed Gymnure, and the Dwarf Gymnure are not lengthened as on the Long-eared Gymnure, and bones in feet are smaller than in the Long-eared Gymnure. Sole and tarsal regions of hindfeet are naked in the Long-eared Gymnure, differing from haired soles on the Shrew Gymnure and the Short-tailed Gymnure. Dental formulais13/3,C1/1,P4/4,M 3/3 (x2) = 44. Habitat. Steep slopes around base of a massive limestone karst, covered by rocks and large boulders. There is an underlying soil base that supports heavily degraded mixeddeciduous forest, scrub, and bamboo. Low-lying areas away from karst are cleared for cultivation ofrice. Food and Feeding. No information. Breeding. No information. Activity patterns. There is no specific information for this species, but the Long-eared Gymnure is terrestrial. Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information. Status and Conservation. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List. The Longeared Gymnure has only recently been described, and there is still very little information on its extent of occurrence, status, conservation threats, and ecological requirements. Bibliography. Chernova et al. (2015), Hutterer (2005a), Jenkins & Robinson (2002).
Published as part of Russell A. Mittermeier & Don E. Wilson, 2018, Erinaceidae, pp. 288-330 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 8 Insectivores, Sloths and Colugos, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on pages 327-328, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6639332