Mammals

40. Persian mole (Talpa streeti) CR
This species is known only from a single individual. Like other moles, it is believed to spend most of its time underground, and is well adapted for such a lifestyle. It constructs complex tunnel systems which can reach depths of up to a metre below ground. It traps insects and earthworms in these underground tunnels, and is thought to create a pantry of earthworms by biting off their heads so that they cannot escape. Nobody knows how many Persian moles are in existence, but numbers are likely to be extremely low as the small patches of habitat they are restricted to have experienced severe environmental degradation and military activity.
Urgent Conservation Actions
Status needs to be determined through field surveys, existing and potential threats identified, and specific management recommendations drawn up.
Distribution
Known only from one locality in northwest Iran.
 
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Evolutionary Distinctiveness
Order: Insectivora
Family: Talpidae
The mole family Talpidae comprises three subfamilies: the moles (Talpinae) and shrew moles (Uropsilinae), which are mostly fossorial (diggers), and the semi-aquatic desmans (Desmaninae). Fossil members of the Talpidae are known from the early Eocene in Europe (over 50 million years ago), the early Oligocene of North America (35 million years ago), and the late Miocene in Asia (10 million years ago). The Talpinae can be divided into two clades, separating Old World and New World genera. Moles in the genus Talpa belong to the Old World clade, along with the genera Mogera, Parascaptor, Euroscaptor, Scaptochirus, Nesoscaptor and Scaptonyx. Talpa is the most widespread genus within the family Talpidae. It comprises nine species ranging from western Europe through Asia and south into the Indomalayan region. Talpa streeti is considered by some to be the same species as Scaptochirus davidianus, a little known mole from the Syrian border.
Description
Size: 
Head and body length: approx. 95-180 mm
Tail length: approx. 15-34 mm
Weight: approx. 65-120 g
The species is known only from the type specimen. Like other moles in the genus Talpa, it is well adapted for life underground. The body is streamlined, with muscular forelimbs and strong claws for burrowing, and hind limbs which are so small that they can scarcely be seen beneath the loose fitting skin of the body. The animals run backwards almost as freely as forwards, and can turn about easily in narrow burrows. The dense, velvety fur will lie in any direction in which it is brushed. The snout is long and pointed, the eyes are very small and completely hidden in the fur, and there are no external ears.
Ecology
The species is thought to spend most of its time underground in a series of complex, interconnecting tunnels. These tunnels vary in depth from just beneath the surface to a metre below ground. The burrow complex usually consists of a series of tunnels at different levels with connections between them, a central nest, and side tunnels into nearby areas. The tunnels not only provide shelter from predators and the elements, but also act as a food trap for earthworms and insect larvae burrowing through the soil.
Habitat
The area in which the type specimen was found has experienced intensive environmental disruption and military activity. Related species are known to inhabit a wide variety of habitats, from lowland fertile plains to montane slopes at elevations up to 3,000 m.
Distribution
This species is known from only one locality, Hezer Darrak in Kurdistan Province, northwest Iran.
Population Estimate
Unknown.
Status
Classified as Critically Endangered (CR B1+2c) on the 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Threats
This species is restricted to small patches of suitable habitat that have undergone severe environmental degradation and military activity.
Conservation Underway
There are no conservation measures in place.
Conservation Proposed
The 1990 IUCN/SSC Eurasian Insectivores and Tree Shrews Action Plan recommended that surveys be carried out to determine the status of the species. Existing and potential threats need to be identified so that specific management recommendations can be made.
References
Animal Info. (Oct 2005).

Insectivore Specialist Group. 1996. Talpa streeti. In: IUCN 2006. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 09 August 2006.

Lay, D. M. 1965. A new species of mole (genus Talpa) from Kurdistan Province, Western Iran. Pp. 227-230. In Fieldiana Zoology 44.

Nowak, R.M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Sixth edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore and London.

Stone, D. (Compiler). 1996. Eurasian Insectivores and Tree Shrews: Status, Survey and Conservation Action Plan. IUCN/SSC Insectivore, Tree Shrew and Elephant Shrew Specialist Group. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.

Distribution map based on data provided by the IUCN Global Mammal Assessment.

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Forum comments

  1. Anonymous
    Unregistered

    Insectivore Specialist Group. 1996. Talpa streeti. In: IUCN
    Stone, D. (Compiler). 1996. Eurasian Insectivores and Tree Shrews: Status, Survey and Conservation Action Plan. IUCN/SSC Insectivore, Tree Shrew and Elephant Shrew Specialist Group. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.

    Posted 1 year ago #

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