Phu Quoc Shrew – Crocidura phuquocensis – Abramov, Jenkins, Rozhnov & Kalinin, 2008

Science name: Crocidura phuquocensis – Abramov, Jenkins, Rozhnov & Kalinin, 2008

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

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

Description: Physical Characteristics:
The holotype specimen of Crocidura phuquocensis (ZIN 96660) is an adult male collected by A.V. Abramov and A.A. Kalinin on December 10, 2003, near Bãi Thơm on Phu Quoc Island (10°22’53″N, 104°00’19″E). The specimen was preserved in ethanol with the skull removed.

Fur: The shrew has thick, short fur, with the dorsal side (back) being gray and the ventral side (belly) showing a darker grayish-brown color.
Tail: The tail is dark gray, with the upper surface darker than the underside. The length of the tail is between 69% and 87% of the body length. Coarse bristle-like hairs extend up to 60% of the tail’s length.
Limbs: The forelimbs are lighter in color on the front and darker on the back, similar to the body color.
Skull and Dentition: The snout is broad and deep, with a wide skull and a well-developed lambdoid crest. The upper incisors feature well-developed parastyle and protocone tips. The M1 and M2 molars have sharp hypocone tips, extending towards the inner cusp. The third lower molar has a distinct posterior cusp depression. The rear tip of the first upper incisor (I1) is about half the height of I1, and the parastyle tip of the P4 premolar is as high as U3.

Distribution and habitat: Altitude:
Crocidura phuquocensis inhabits lowland areas, particularly at an elevation of about 30 meters above sea level.

Range:
This species is currently known from Phu Quoc Island in Kien Giang Province, Vietnam, and it has been found near Bãi Thơm in the northern part of the island. There is some speculation that it may also inhabit the Cardamom Mountains in Cambodia, though this has not been confirmed.

Habitat:
The Phu Quoc white-toothed shrew lives in undisturbed lowland tropical forests on Phu Quoc Island. Its habitat consists of dense foliage and forested areas that provide sufficient cover for its nocturnal lifestyle.

Behaviour and ecology: Lifestyle:
Crocidura phuquocensis is nocturnal, primarily foraging on the forest floor at night. Its diet consists of insects and small arthropods found within its habitat. The species is elusive and adapted to the dense forested environment of Phu Quoc Island, where it remains hidden in the undergrowth.

Reproductive Practices:
Currently, there is no data available on the reproductive biology of Crocidura phuquocensis. Further research is needed to understand its breeding habits.

Interesting Facts

Crocidura phuquocensis has a distinct dark gray tail, with coarse bristles covering 60% of its length.
It is endemic to Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam, with no confirmed records outside of the country.
The species’ well-developed upper incisors and molars suggest a specialized insectivorous diet.

Conservation and status: IUCN Red List Category and Criteria:
Crocidura phuquocensis is classified as “Data Deficient” by the IUCN Red List. There is limited information about its distribution, population size, and ecology. Further studies are required to evaluate its conservation status properly.

Threats:
The primary threat to Crocidura phuquocensis is habitat loss due to deforestation and human activities. As it depends on undisturbed lowland tropical forests, any degradation of these forests on Phu Quoc Island could significantly impact the species’ survival.

Conservation Actions:
No specific conservation actions are currently in place for Crocidura phuquocensis. However, protecting its natural habitat on Phu Quoc Island and conducting further surveys to understand its population dynamics and ecological needs are essential for its long-term conservation.