Microgale brevicaudata
short-tailed shrew tenrec

Microgale brevicaudata is endemic to the island of Madagascar. It is not migratory so it remains on this island permanently. Scientists believe that M. brevicaudata and other species reached Madagascar by floating on rafts of material. Madagascar split from continental Africa 100 million years ago, well before the development of most groups of mammals. (Fons, 1988; Olsen, 1997)

M. brevicaudata lives primarily in rainforests and humid forests. However, it has been recorded in shrubby areas, grasslands, marshes, and agricultural fields in the highlands of Madagascar. This species has not been extensively studied so there is not much habitat data available. However, other species of the same genus appear to survive in small forest habitats of 35 hectares. (Fons, 1988; Garbutt, 1999; Walker, 1964)

M. brevicaudata is a small, shrew-like tenrec. It weighs 7 to 12 grams and is 6.6 to 7 centimeters long. Its tail length is 3.3 cm. It is dark brown with a grey throat and abdomen and there are fine rings on its short tail. It has very sparse hair but its fur is soft. It has large, projecting, grey-purple ears. All limbs have 5 digits and it walks plantigrade. The fore limbs are shorter than the hind ones. Its tail is prehensile. The genus is unusual in having 47 vertebrae, more than any other tenrec. (Fons, 1988; Vaughan, Ryan, and Czaplewski, 2000; Walker, 1964)

Both males and females have a cloaca. The male has a retractile penis with a baculum. For the genus Microgale the testes are located in the pelvis and that position does not change before mating. (Fons, 1988; Vaughan, Ryan, and Czaplewski, 2000; Walker, 1964)

Members of the family Tenrecidae do not have a complete zygomatic arch because the jugal bone is absent. These animals have W-shaped ectoloph molars and a dental formulaof 2/3, 1/1, 3/3, 4/3 for a total of 40 teeth. (Fons, 1988; Vaughan, Ryan, and Czaplewski, 2000; Walker, 1964)

Although the lifespan for M. brevicaudata is not known, a member of the same genus lived to be 13 years in captivity. However, 5 to 6 years is more likely in the wild. It is likely that M. brevicaudata is similar to other members of the genus in this regard. (Walker, 1964)

M. brevicaudata is active during the day and the night. There is some research that suggests that it is semi-fossorial. There is also some evidence to suggest that other members of the family Tenrecidae use clicks for echolocation, however this has not been studied in M. brevicaudata. Like all mammals as small as M. brevicaudata, these tenrecs must eat constantly to survive. There is evidence that members of the same genus undergo torpor, however M. brevicaudata does not. Although some members of Microgale are aquatic, there is no evidence to suggest M. brevicaudata is. Most tenrecs are solitary creatures and interact only to mate and raise young. (Fons, 1988; Garbutt, 1999; Vaughan, Ryan, and Czaplewski, 2000; Walker, 1964)

Home Range

The size of the home range of these animals has not been reported.

M. brevicaudata has been heard making squeals and whimpering noises, however not much is known how this is used for communication. Tenrecs in general do use scent signals and a primitive type of sonar. It is possible M. brevicaudata communicates with ultrasonic frequencies. (Walker, 1964)

Like other diurnal mammals, it is likley that these tenrecs use some visual signals to communicate. Tactile communication is probably used between mates, as well as between mothers and their offspring.

M. brevicaudata is insectivorous, eating insects and small vertebrates. It eats during the day and the night. It may dig through the soil looking for food, but mostly just wanders around eating what is available. (Fons, 1988; Vaughan, Ryan, and Czaplewski, 2000; Walker, 1964)

M. brevicaudata is preyed upon by birds of prey, small carnivores, and reptiles. Although it makes sounds when threatened, it has no system of defense other than running away. (Fons, 1988; Walker, 1964)

There is no information regarding the impact of M. brevicaudata on the ecosystem. However, since it is insectivorous, it may have an impact on the insect populations. To the extent that it serves as prey for other species, it may also affect predator populations. (Fons, 1988)

M. brevicaudata has no negative importance for human economies.

M. brevicaudata offers no economic importance for humans. (Goodman and Rakotondravony, 1999)

M. brevicaudata is under no special conservation status.

The family Tenrecidae is most closely related to the family Chrysochloridae. The genus Microgale is most closely related to its sister genus, Oryzorictes. This is according to the latest molecular data. (Grenyer and Purvis, 2002)