Four-toed elephant shrew

Four-toed elephant shrew[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Macroscelidea
Family: Macroscelididae
Genus: Petrodromus
Peters, 1846
Species:
P. tetradactylus
Binomial name
Petrodromus tetradactylus
Peters, 1846
Four-toed elephant shrew range

The four-toed elephant shrew or four-toed sengi (Petrodromus tetradactylus) is the only living species in the genus Petrodromus, which together with five other extant genera Rhynchocyon, Macroscelides, Petrosaltator, Galegeeska and Elephantulus constitutes the order Macroscelidea.[1] This species is only found in particular regions in Africa and is smaller than its relatives.[3] A comprehensive record of this species is lacking.[1]

As its name suggests, the species has four toes on its hind feet,[4] and like other elephant shrews, it has been named for its elephant-like, mobile proboscis.[5]

  1. ^ a b c Schlitter, D.A. (2005). "Order Macroscelidea". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 84. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  2. ^ Rathbun, G.B.; FitzGibbon, C. (2015). "Petrodromus tetradactylus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T42679A21290893. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T42679A21290893.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference mamspec was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference animalsites was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "Smithsonian National Zoological Park". Archived from the original on 3 April 2008. Retrieved 15 August 2012.