Found in the eastern Andes mountains

A new species of shrew-opossum has been discovered on the eastern slopes of the Andes mountains in South America.

Until recently, only four species were known to inhabit the northern Andes, but on the eastern slopes in the Sangay National Park, a new species of the marsupial, Caenolestes sangay, was found.

An article about the new species has been published in the Journal of Mammalogy.

The authors of the article, “A new species of shrew-opossum (Paucituberculata: Caenolestidae) with a phylogeny of extant caenolestids”, collected five specimens of the species from Sangay National Park and around a recently constructed highway that has disturbed part of their habitat.

Extensive testing was carried out on the specimens, including DNA testing and morphological analysis. They also tested 18 external variables against the existing species of shrew-opossums.

Although closest to Caenolestes caniveter, considerable differences were identified. Major differences found during testing included the new species has a large major hard palate in the mouth, a medium-sized body and a gap between two of its teeth.

The authors would like to carry out additional genetic testing that may help explain the relationships between the new species and other Caenolestidae species; however, the terrain of the Andes mountains and the subsequent isolation of species make the data difficult to obtain.

The full article can be found in the latest issue of the Journal of Mammalogy.

Photo: sxc.hu/robertovm