Microgale dryas
tree shrew tenrec

Tree shrew tenrecs, Microgale dryas, have only been found at the Ambatovaky Special Reserve in north-eastern Madagascar. Ambatovaky is a nature reserve located 50km west of the town Soanierana-Ivongo on the eastern coast of Madagascar. ("International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources", 2003; Crowley, 2001; Garbutt, 1999)

M. dryas lives only in the tropical rainforest of north-eastern Madagascar. This region includes dense vegetation (mainly evergreen forests). The area is characterized having sharp-peaked mountains and some aquatic elements because of the presence of two relatively large rivers. M. dryas is solely terrestrial and occupies this dense habitat. (Crowley, 2001; Garbutt, 1999; Goodman and Benstead, 2004)

Like other members of the genus Microgale, M. dryas is shrew-like in appearance. Its pelage is soft, short, and dense. It ranges in length from 170 to 180 mm, and weighs an average of 40 g. It is somewhat smaller than closely related species like M. dobsoni and M. gracilis. Microgale dryas can be distinguished from these species by its relatively short, grey tail and its distinctive pelage. The ventral pattern is generally reddish- or grey-brown. The dorsal pattern is unique because the guard hairs are long, with the mid-region of each hair flat and broad. (Garbutt, 1999; Goodman and Benstead, 2004)

The lifespan of M. dryas is not known. Members of the family Tenrecidae generally live up to 6 years in the wild. (Grzimek, 2003)

Little is known about the behavior of M. dryas because it is rarely seen and is critically endangered. However, some behavioral traits have been observed of more common members of the genus Microgale, and these may be similar to those of M. dryas. These species tend to be terrestrial and insectivorous. They appear to be active at irregular intervals with foraging occurring during the day or at night. Some build nests for their young. They are generally solitary in the wild, and are aggressive toward unfamliar members of their species, but instances of pair-bonding have been documented in captive populations. (Garbutt, 1999; Grzimek, 2003; Nowak, 1999)

Home Range

The size of the home range of these animals is not known. However, other members of the genus are aggressive toward strangers, so it is likely that these animals are territorial. (Nowak, 1999)

Little is known about communication and perception of M. dryas, however other species of the genus Microgale have shown the following traits. They tend to have a well-developed sense of smell as well as tactile sense, especially through their whiskers (vibrissae). Some members of the genus produce a sound that may be used for communication, but sense of smell is likely the most important channel for communication. Agonism between unfamiliar individuals is a form of tactile communication. It is not known whether these animals use visual signals for communication. (Grzimek, 2003; Nowak, 1999; Wilson and Reeder, 1993)

M. dryas, like most other tenrecs, is primarily an insectivore. These animals consume a variety of invertebrates, including insects and arachnids. It is unknown whether M. dryas consumes plant materials or small vertebrates like its relatives in the family Tenrecidae. (Garbutt, 1999; Grzimek, 2003; Wilson and Reeder, 1993)

Predators of M. dryas are likely larger sized mammals, reptiles, and birds. Evidence of M. dryas was found in pellets from a Madagascar red owl. It is possible that the nocturnal behavior of M. dryas is an anti-predator adaptation. No other adaptations to avoid predation are known in this species. (Goodman and Benstead, 2004; Nowak, 1999; Wilson and Reeder, 1993)

The role that M. dryas has in its ecosystem is unknown. It is not a common species, and has a very restricted range. Although it acts as predator for a variety of insects, it is not known how it impacts their populations. Similarly, although it may serve as prey to a number of other animals, it is not known whether it is an important prey item for these species, or how the availability of M. dryas as a food source affects these other animals.

There are no known adverse affects of M. dryas on humans.

There are no known benefits that M. dryas has on humans. Because it is so rare, it is likely that it does not affect the ecosystem or humans greatly. ("International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources", 2003)

The IUCN lists M. dryas as the only critically endangered member of the Tenrecidae. It has only been found in the Ambatovaky Special Reserve and is extremely rare. The ongoing major threat to this population is habitat loss due to slash and burn agriculture and destruction of the rainforests. It is listed as critically endangered because it is only found at a single location and the number of these animals is thought to be declining. ("International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources", 2003; Crowley, 2001; Garbutt, 1999; Nowak, 1999)