47=. Dinagat moonrat (Podogymnura aureospinula) EN
Belonging to the same family as hedgehogs and gymnures, the Dinagat moonrat has stiff bristly or spiny fur on its back, which is generally golden brown with black speckling. Little is known about the ecology of the species. It occurs in both primary and secondary dipterocarp forests, but may be at risk from logging, slash-and-burn agriculture and mining.
Urgent Conservation Actions
Surveys to determine status, research into habitat requirements and threats, so that appropriate conservation recommendations can be produced.
Distribution
Dinagat, Siargao and Bucas Grande (Philippines).
 
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Evolutionary Distinctiveness
Order: Insectivora
Family: Erinaceidae
The family Erinaceidae consists of hedgehogs (subfamily Erinaceinae), and moonrats or gymnures (subfamily Hylomyinae). Hedgehogs can be easily distinguished from moonrats and gymnures by their barbless spines which cover their backs and sides. The Hylomyinae resemble primitive rodents with long muzzles. All members of this subfamily lack spines. Fossil erinaceids are known from the middle Paleocene to the early Pliocene in North America (60-7 million years ago). The family also dates back to the early Miocene (25 million years ago) in Africa, the late Paleocene (55 million years ago) in Europe, and the Eocene (45 million years ago) in Asia. The Hylomyinae comprises eight species in three genera (Echinosorex, Podogymnura and Hylomys). The genus Podogymnura contains two species: P. aureospinula and P. truei, both of which are restricted to the southern Philippines. These species are thought to be most closely related to the moonrat (Echinosorex gymnura), which is found on the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo.
Description
Size: Head and body length: 190-211 mm
Tail length: 59-73 mm
Weight: Unknown
The Dinagat moonrat has stiff bristly or spiny fur on its back, which is generally golden brown with black speckling. The underparts lack spines and are mostly brownish-grey. The ears are relatively large and sparsely covered with short white or dark brown hairs.
Ecology
Nothing is known about the ecology of this species.
Habitat
Known from both primary and logged dipterocarp forest.
Distribution
Occurs on the islands of Dinagat, Siargao and Bucas Grande in the Philippines.
Population Estimate
Unknown.
Status
Classified as Endangered (EN B1+2c) on the 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Threats
The species occurs in restricted patches of forest habitat that are being destroyed by logging, slash-and-burn agriculture and mining.
Conservation Underway
There are no conservation measures in place.
Conservation Proposed
The 1996 IUCN/SSC Eurasian Insectivores and Tree Shrews Action Plan recommends that field surveys be carried out to determine the status of this species. Research on the habitat requirements and threats facing the species are necessary to plan future conservation actions.
References
Chicago Field Museum: A Synopsis of the Mammalian Fauna of the Philippine Islands

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

Heaney, L. 2005 (pers. comm.).

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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