Discovered a new species of mole in the Central Highlands

The mole species discovered in Ngoc Linh mountain (Kon Tum) and the Central Truong Son area is about the same size as the Vietnamese mole rat, but significantly smaller than the Pakho mole.

Scientists at the Vietnam Museum of Nature, Kyoto University, the Japan Museum of Nature and Science, and the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources have discovered a new species of mole, temporarily called the Jade Mole. spirit (Euroscaptor ngoclinhensis), distributed in Ngoc Linh mountain (Kon Tum) and the Central Truong Son area.

This result was obtained by comparing the differences between the populations of the small-toothed mole rat (Euroscaptor parvidens) distributed in the Central Truong Son area (Kon Tum, Mang Den, Kon Ha Nung and Pleiku plateau blocks) and Southern Truong Son (M'Drak plateau, Dak Lak, Mo Nong, Lam Vien and Di Linh).

Newly discovered Ngoc Linh mole rat in Vietnam.

Reportedly, the study is also based on multivariate statistical analysis of 140 mole specimens, collected at 18 different locations, most of which belong to 4 species of Euroscaptor-like mole in Vietnam. Including specimens collected at Chu Yang Sin National Park (Dak Lak) and Nam Nung Nature Reserve (Dak Nong).

The average length of the Jade Spirit Mole is from 12.0 to 12.3 cm, the tail is about 1.5 cm long, accounting for only 5.8 to 6.1% of the body length. This species is about the same size as the Vietnamese mole rat (Euroscaptor subanura), but significantly smaller than the Pakho mole (Euroscaptor parvidens).

Combined with genetic factors and the process of geological uplift of the two plateaux, it is hypothesized that the ancestors of species in the Small-toothed Mole and Ngoc Linh Mole are widely distributed in the area. South Central and Central Highlands regions. In particular, the small-toothed mole rat was determined to be distributed only in the South Truong Son area.

Then, along with the uplifted geological movement of the Central Truong Son and South Truong Son plateau blocks, the formation of 2 subspecies (or species) began to take place in the Middle Ages (Miocene) until the present day. now on.

Most mammals in the mole family move by tunneling completely in the ground (fossorial). Adapted to this way of life, they have thick, elongated bodies, soft dark brown or dark grayish brown fur, most have orange or light chest hair under the influence of secretory glands, small ears, often no earlobes and very small eyes, almost disappearing.

The Mole's forelimbs evolved to satisfy the need for digging with wide, lateral and backward movable feet, large claws. Meanwhile, their hind legs do not have many adaptations like the front legs. The mole's food is mainly earthworms, insects and larvae in the ground.