55. Nimba otter-shrew (Micropotamogale lamottei) EN
This otter-like semi-aquatic mammal is brown to blackish brown in colour and has a long tail like a rat. It is nocturnal, resting in burrows during the day and hunting fish, crabs and tadpoles along river banks at night. The population status of this species is unknown, although it is likely to be threatened in some areas by mining activities, which have devastated parts of its habitat. It is also sometimes accidentally caught and drowned in fish traps.
Urgent Conservation Actions
Habitat protection, further research and implementation of captive breeding programme.
Distribution
Restricted to Mount Nimba, which overlaps the borders of the Ivory Coast, Guinea and Liberia.
 
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Evolutionary Distinctiveness
Order: Insectivora
Family: Tenrecidae
Tenrecs are a diverse family of insectivores with an Afro-Malagasian biogeographic distribution. Three subfamilies (Geogalinae, Oryzorictinae, Tenrecinae) are restricted to Madagascar and one subfamily, the otter shrews (Potamogalinae), occurs on the mainland. Recent molecular evidence suggests the otter shrews diverged from the Malagasy tenrecs approximately 53 million years ago. The subfamily Potamogalinae comprises two groups of otter-shrew: the dwarf otter-shrews (Micropotamogale lamottei and Micropotamogale ruwenzorii), and the giant otter-shrews, consisting of the single species Potamogale velox. All three species are well-adapted to an aquatic lifestyle. This adaptation is thought to have enabled them to survive while other, closely related species were driven to extinction, probably by competing soricid (shrew) and erinaceid (hedgehog) species. Recent evidence suggests that tenrecs should be removed from the Insectivora and placed within a group of African mammals, the Afrotheria, which also includes aardvarks, elephants, hyraxes, sea cows, elephant shrews, and golden moles.
Description
Size: Head and body length: approx. 120-155 mm
Tail length: approx. 95-135 mm
Weight: 95 g
A soft-furred aquatic mammal which resembles a small otter. The fur is uniformly grey-brown in colour, and the species has a slender tail. The feet lack any trace of webbing.
Ecology
The species is nocturnal and semi-aquatic. It probably locates food by touch, using the stiff whiskers in its flattened muzzle. Prey is caught on short dives or along river banks and eaten on land. The species is believed to be an opportunistic feeder, eating crabs, fish and tadpoles. Like its relatives, the Nimba otter-shrew is mostly solitary and digs burrows to rest in during the day.
Habitat
Inhabits small rivers, upland forest streams and swampy areas.
Distribution
Thought to be restricted to an area covering less than 1500 km² in the vicinity of Mount Nimba, overlapping the borders of the Ivory Coast, Guinea and Liberia.
Population Estimate
The population status of this species is unknown, although populations from the Danané-Man region of Ivory Coast, and areas within Liberia and Guinea are all considered to be relatively common.
Status
Classified as Endangered (EN B1ab(iii)) on the 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Threats
Mining activities in Liberia have devastated parts of the species’ habitat. Bauxite mining is now expanding into neighbouring Guinea, posing a further threat. Accidental drowning in fish traps also occurs.
Conservation Underway
Occurs in the Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve. However, this area is on the List of the World Heritage in Danger: it is under threat from mining activities and an influx of refugees from Liberia, who have invaded areas in and around the park.
Conservation Proposed
The IUCN/SSC African Insectivora and Elephant Shrew Specialist Group recommends protection of the species’ habitat, further research and a possible captive breeding programme as urgent priorities.
References
Nicoll, M. E. and Rathbun, G. B. (Compilers). 1990. African Insectivora and Elephant Shrews: an action plan for their conservation. IUCN. Gland, Switzerland.

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

Vogel, P. 2006. Micropotamogale lamottei. In: IUCN 2006. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 09 August 2006.

Vogel, P. 1983. Contribution a l'ecologie et a la zoogeographie de Micropotamogale lamottei (Mammalia, Tenrecidae). Terre et la Vie 38(1): 37-49.

World Heritage Sites Protected Areas Programme

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

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