280.

Nicobar White-toothed Shrew

Crocidura nicobarica

French: Crocidure des Nicobar / German: NikobarWeiRzahnspitzmaus / Spanish: Musarana de Nicobar

Other common names: Nicobar Shrew, Nicobar White-tailed Shrew

Taxonomy. Crocidura nicobarica G. S. Mill- er, 1902,

“ Great Nicobar Island,” Nicobar Islands, India.”

Additional investigation is required into the relationships of Crocidura nicobarica with the three other species of Crocidura recorded from Andaman Islands. Monotypic.

Distribution. S Great Nicobar I.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 120 mm, tail (slightly damaged) 90 mm, ear 11 mm, hindfoot (slightly damaged) 24 mm (all

measurements from the type specimen). No specific data are available for body weight. Dorsal pelage of the Nicobar White-toothed Shrew is dark brown, grizzled with gray, dense, and velvety, with hairs flattened, broadened, and thickened at edges, “crisp” in texture, and mid-dorsally c.4 mm long. Ventral pelage is brown, with elongated patch of gray on mid-region. Tail is light brown and ¢.75% of head-body length, with sparse bristle hairs.

Habitat. Tropical moist deciduous forest in leaflitter at elevations up to 100 m.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. The Nicobar White-toothed Shrew is assumed to be nocturnal and crepuscular but might be active intermittently during the day.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Critically Endangered on The IUCN Red List. Estimated extent of occurrence of the Nicobar White-toothed Shrew is only 96 km? it is restricted to one island, there are continuing declines in extent and quality of its habitat, and population trend is decreasing. Specimens recorded in a 1975 survey from Campbell Bay to Galathea River mouth at the southern tip of the island were not positively identified and this area was subsequently completely cleared for road construction. Threats include selective logging and other anthropogenic activities.

Bibliography. Chakraborty (1978), Corbet & Hill (1992), Miller (1902), Molur (2016g), Molur et al. (2005), Thomas (1913).