Kego Shrew – Crocidura kegoensis – Lunde, Musser & Ziegler, 2004

Science name: Crocidura kegoensis – Lunde, Musser & Ziegler, 2004

Taxonomic:  Animalia>> Chordata>> Mammalia>> Soricomorpha >> Soricidae >> kegoensis

Species status: Endemic ; IUCN status: LC (Least Concern)

Description:

Physical Characteristics:
The holotype specimen of Crocidura kegoensis (MTD B 23389) was collected by Thomas Ziegler on September 12, 1998, at Ke Go Nature Reserve (18°04’N, 105°58’E) in Ha Tinh Province, Vietnam. The adult male is characterized by grayish-brown dorsal fur with occasional patches of light brown and white. The fur lightens gradually from the back to the belly.

Head: The head is elongated with a dark brown stripe over the snout. The ears are small and dark brown, with fine hairs, and darker in color than the body fur.
Limbs: The legs are short, light brown, with relatively well-developed claws. The hind feet have four distinct pads, separated from one another.
Tail: The tail is short and slender, with the upper surface being darker than the underside. Its length is about 54% to 70% of the body length.
Skull: The skull is small, with a broad, flat cranium. The front of the snout is short and wide. The upper incisors are crescent-shaped, with the first upper premolar (P1) being double the size of the second premolar (P2), and the third premolar (P3) being larger than P2. The first premolar has a distinct small parastyle, a tall and sharp paracone, and a deep posterior groove.

Distribution and habitat:

Altitude:
Crocidura kegoensis inhabits lowland areas at elevations of around 200 meters above sea level, particularly in the Ke Go Nature Reserve, Ha Tinh Province, Vietnam.

Range:
This species is currently known from several locations across Vietnam, including Ha Tinh, Tuyen Quang, Kon Tum, Quang Binh, Dak Lak, Khanh Hoa, Lam Dong, and Thua Thien-Hue provinces. However, it has not been recorded outside of Vietnam, making it a likely endemic species to the country.

Habitat:
The Ke Go white-toothed shrew thrives in evergreen forests with varying habitat conditions. It prefers moist, dense foliage that provides abundant cover and insect populations. The species forages primarily on the forest floor during the night, feeding on insects and other small invertebrates.

Behaviour and ecology:

Lifestyle:
Crocidura kegoensis is nocturnal and forages primarily on the forest floor, feeding on insects and arthropods. It plays an essential role in controlling insect populations in its habitat. The species is generally elusive and difficult to observe, moving quickly through the underbrush during its nightly activities.

Reproductive Practices:
Currently, there is no available data on the reproductive habits of Crocidura kegoensis. However, it is presumed that, like other shrew species, it may have multiple litters per year, with gestation periods of around 27 to 30 days.

Crocidura kegoensis is smaller than many other shrew species in Vietnam, with its size comparable to that of Crocidura wuchihensis.
It has a distinctive brownish-black stripe on its muzzle and shorter cranial and dental dimensions compared to related species.
Despite its small size, it is highly active and plays an important role in the ecosystem by controlling insect populations.
The species is thought to be endemic to Vietnam, with no confirmed records outside the country.

Conservation and status:

IUCN Red List Category and Criteria:
Crocidura kegoensis is currently classified as “Data Deficient” due to the limited information available regarding its population, distribution, and ecology. More research is needed to properly assess its conservation status.

Threats:
The primary threat to Crocidura kegoensis is habitat loss due to deforestation, agricultural expansion, and urbanization. The ongoing degradation of its forest habitats poses a significant risk to the species, as it relies on dense, undisturbed vegetation to thrive.

Conservation Actions:
There are no specific conservation actions in place for this species. However, protecting its habitat in areas such as Ke Go Nature Reserve is critical for its long-term survival. Further surveys and studies are needed to better understand its range, population size, and ecological requirements.