Balearic Shrew
Nesiotites hidalgo
Conservation Status
Data DeficientMammalia · Soricomorpha · Soricidae
About
Nesiotites is an extinct genus of large red-toothed shrews belonging to the tribe Nectogalini that inhabited the Balearic Islands from the latest Miocene/Early Pliocene up until the arrival of humans on the islands during the late Holocene. It was present on Mallorca and Menorca. It represented one of only 3 native land mammals to the islands at the time of human arrival, alongside the dwarf goat-antelope Myotragus and the giant dormouse Hypnomys. The genus is closely related to the also recently extinct Corsican-Sardinian shrews belonging to the genus Asoriculus, with their closest living relatives being the Himalayan shrews of the genus Soriculus.
Fun Fact
similis) were included in the genus, but these are now rejected from the genus, and Nesiotites is now generally used exclusively for the Balearic species, as otherwise the genus would likely be polyphyletic.
Quick Facts
Habitat
Native to the Balearic islands, alongside the giant dormouse Hypnomys and the dwarf goat-antelope Myotragus.
Diet
To be updated
Lifespan
To be updated
Threats
- Habitat Change
- Human Disturbance