A new species of shrew-opossum (Paucituberculata: Caenolestidae) with a phylogeny of extant caenolestids

Researchers have identified a new species of shrew-opossum, Caenolestes sangay, within Sangay National Park, Ecuador. This discovery expands the known diversity of northern shrew-opossums (Caenolestes), which are endemic to the northern Andes. The new species is characterized by distinctive morphological features, including a large major palatine foramen and a diastema between teeth I4 and C. Phylogenetic analysis suggests C. sangay is closely related to C. caniventer. The study highlights the region's high biodiversity but also underscores threats from habitat fragmentation due to road construction and land conversion. Limited sampling on the eastern Andes slopes restricts a full understanding of its distribution, emphasizing the need for further research in this understudied area.

Ojala-Barbour, R., Pinto, C. M., Brito M., J., Albuja V., L., Lee, T. E., & Patterson, B. D. (2013). A new species of shrew-opossum (Paucituberculata: Caenolestidae) with a phylogeny of extant caenolestids. Journal of Mammalogy, 94(5), 967–982. https://doi.org/10.1644/13-mamm-a-018.1