Five Unique Species Of Soft-Coated, Spine-Free Hedgehogs Were Recently Discovered By Scientists At The Smithsonian’s National Museum Of Natural History
Researchers recently discovered five unique species of soft-coated, spine-free hedgehogs. Two entirely new species were found in Southeast Asia, while three others, previously considered subspecies, have been upgraded to full species status.
Unlike their spiky relatives, these hedgehogs are recognized for their furry appearance. Initially grouped under the Hylomys group, DNA studies have now distinguished their unique genetic backgrounds. This discovery led to their reclassification, which was also supported by examining physical characteristics in museum specimens.
The research was conducted by a team from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and led by Dr. Arlo Hinckley, the study’s lead author. He believes this study proves that new findings are still possible, even within extensively studied categories like mammals.
The newly-discovered Hylomys vorax species resides in the tropical rainforests on the slopes of Mount Leuser in Northern Sumatra. Measuring approximately 12 centimeters in length, these hedgehogs feature dark brown fur, slender snouts, and completely black tails.
The H. macarong, another species newly identified in the tropical rainforests of South Vietnam, gets its name from the Vietnamese term for “vampire,” or Ma cà rồng, which is a nod to the males’ elongated, fang-like teeth.
This species is slightly larger than the Hylomys vorax, measuring around 14 centimeters, and also sports dark brown fur. As for the purpose of their distinctive fangs, that will require further research.
The remaining three species, which were once classified as subspecies of Hylomys suillus, have been reclassified as distinct species: H. dorsalis, H. Maxi, and H. peguensis.
H. dorsalis inhabits the mountainous regions of Northern Borneo, while H. maxi is found in the mountains of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula. Both species measure about 14 centimeters in length, but H. dorsalis is notable for a unique dark stripe running from its head to mid-body.
The slightly smaller H. peguensis, about 13 centimeters long and with a somewhat yellower fur, is indigenous to various Southeast Asian countries, including Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand.
DenisNata – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual hedgehog
The researchers also noted that each of the five species exhibits both diurnal and nocturnal omnivorous behavior, probably feeding on insects, various invertebrates, and fruits, depending on availability.
“Based on the lifestyles of their close relatives and field observations, these hedgehogs likely nest in hollows and take cover while foraging among tree roots, fallen logs, rocks, grassy areas, undergrowth, and leaf litter,” Dr. Hinckley said.
“But, because they’re so understudied, we are limited to speculate about the details of their natural history.”
Dr. Hinckley conducted this study by analyzing specimens from the National Museum of Natural History and various other natural history collections in Asia, Europe, and the United States. By collaborating with other scientists, including the museum’s curator of animals, Melissa Hawkins, Dr. Hinckley was able to gather an extensive array of 232 physical specimens and 85 tissue samples from the Hylomys group.
Then, the researchers performed genetic analysis on these specimens and carried out thorough physical inspections, concentrating on variations in fur, dental structure, and skull size and shape. Their investigations uncovered seven unique genetic lineages within the Hylomys group, resulting in the recognition of five additional species within this group.
“We were only able to identify these new hedgehogs thanks to museum staff that curated these specimens across countless decades and their original field collectors. By applying modern genomic techniques like we did many years after these hedgehogs were first collected, the next generation will be able to identify even more new species,” Dr. Hinckley explained.
“It might be surprising for people to hear that there are still undiscovered mammals out there. But there is a lot we don’t know– especially the smaller nocturnal animals that can be difficult to tell apart from one another.”
To read the study’s complete findings, which have since been published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, visit the link here.
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