Geographic Range
There are two species in the genus
Hemicentetes
,
H. semispinosus
and
H. nigriceps
; both are found only on Madagascar. Lowland streaked tenrecs (
H. semispinosus
) are found in the rainforests on the east side of the island and highland streaked
tenrecs (
H. nigriceps
) are found in humid forest and plateau savanna boundary habitat in the central upland
portion of Madagascar.
- Other Geographic Terms
- island endemic
Habitat
Lowland streaked tenrecs (
H. semispinosus
) are found in tropical rainforest habitats while highland streaked tenrecs (
H. nigriceps
) are found in both tropical rainforest and savanna habitats. Their ranges were not
thought to overlap, but they were found coexisting in the widely varied habitat of
Mahatsinjo Forest in 2000, which led researchers to believe that they were separate
species rather than subspecies.
- Habitat Regions
- tropical
- terrestrial
- Terrestrial Biomes
- rainforest
- Other Habitat Features
- agricultural
Physical Description
Lowland streaked tenrecs (
H. semispinosus
) have black and yellow quills covering their bodies and have four primary longitudinal
yellow stripes. One of these yellow stripes is found down the median of the rostrum
and the other three are found on the body. Of the stripes found on the body, two are
found down the middle of the sides and the third is found down the middle of the dorsum.
Highland streaked tenrecs (
H. nigriceps
) have black and white quills and have a similar striped pattern, but there is no
stripe on the rostrum. The function of the black and white pattern may be to mimic
juvenile
Tenrec ecaudatus
since the parents of this species are known to be aggressively protective. The striping
patterns of both species may have developed as a type of camouflage while foraging.
Both species have barbed detachable quills to use as a defense mechanism; these quills
cover a woolly underfur. A stridulation organ consisting of several of these quills
is also present, and when the quills are rubbed together they emit a high-pitched
sound which is hypothesized to be a source of communication among individuals. A tail
is absent in both species, and body lengths average 140 mm. Body weights range from
80 to 150 g in highland streaked tenrecs (
H. nigriceps
), making them slightly smaller than lowland streaked tenrecs, whose body weight ranges
from 125 to 280 g. A cloaca is present for reproduction, urination, and defecation,
and both species have zalambdodont molars. The spinal columns include an unusually
large number of lumbar vertebrae (20 to 21 vertebrae).
- Other Physical Features
- endothermic
- bilateral symmetry
- Sexual Dimorphism
- sexes alike
Reproduction
Females will also erect their quills toward a male if they are not reproductively
receptive and will stick spines in the male’s genitals; males have been known to fight
among one another if females are present. During courtship the male approaches the
female hissing with his snout in the air. If accepted, the male will then nose the
female around the neck area followed by nosing her in the cloaca while the female
then grabs his snout with her jaws.
Copulation occurs during Madagascar’s rainy season between November and May for both
Hemicentetes
species and ovulation only occurs after copulation. If winter conditions are absent,
breeding can potentially occur year-round. However, females are only fertile up to
a year after they are born. Average gestation takes 55 to 58 days. The average litter
size is 6.3 for lowland streaked tenrecs (
H. semispinosus
) and 1.3 for highland streaked tenrecs (
H. nigriceps
). Litter size increases in captivity for both species. Lowland streaked tenrecs have
as many as 11 offspring in captivity and highland streaked tenrecs have given birth
to a maximum of 4. Young streaked tenrecs weigh about 11 g and are 55 to 67 mm in
length. By day 25, both species are weaned; adulthood is reached by day 40 (maturity
in other spiny tenrec species [
Setifer setsosus
and
Echinops telfairi
] doesn’t occur for 6 months). Females can be reproductively active by day 25 in lowland
streaked tenrecs; they may be the only tenrec that can breed in the same season in
which they were born. They have an elevated resting metabolic rate during reproduction.
- Key Reproductive Features
- iteroparous
- seasonal breeding
- year-round breeding
- gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate)
- sexual
- induced ovulation
- viviparous
Most information on parental care in
streaked tenrecs
is based on captive animals. In preparation for birth, a pregnant female will use
her snout as a spade to clear away a depression in the ground within the burrow. When
the young are born, the female will help clear away tissue from the snout area so
that they are able to breathe. The male will help protect the young by allowing them
to huddle around him. The female takes care of both cleaning and replacing the lining
in the nest. If the offspring wander too far from the nest, females will carry them
back to the nest. Mothers maintain contact with their offspring while foraging by
using both smell and the stridulation organ after the stridulation organ starts working
in the young. Offspring are born without spines, but begin to develop them within
the first 24 hours of life.
- Parental Investment
- altricial
-
pre-fertilization
- provisioning
-
protecting
- female
-
pre-hatching/birth
-
provisioning
- female
-
protecting
- female
-
provisioning
-
pre-weaning/fledging
-
provisioning
- female
-
protecting
- male
- female
-
provisioning
Lifespan/Longevity
Lowland streaked tenrecs (
Hemicentetes semispinosus
) live as long as 30 months in captivity and highland streaked tenrecs (
H. nigriceps
) up to 3 years. How long either species lives in the wild is unknown.
Behavior
Both
Hemicentetes
species go into torpor, with a higher likelihood of entering the torpor phase in
captivity than in the wild. Lowland streaked tenrecs (
H. semispinosus
) are more likely to come out of torpor during the winter season for foraging than
are highland streaked tenrecs (
H. nigriceps
). Interrupting torpor may actually increase the productivity of lowland streaked
tenrecs. Highland streaked tenrecs focus on nocturnal activity while lowland streaked
tenrecs are mainly active throughout the day. Burrows of lowland streaked tenrecs
occur in primary or secondary forests and may be occupied by either one individual
or as many as 23 during the breeding season. Highland streaked tenrecs make shallower
burrows than lowland streaked tenrecs on forest fringes and near cultivated fields.
A leaf plug seals the hole of both species’ burrows. Burrows are likely used to help
thermoregulate and to avoid predators.
Home Range
Home range sizes of streaked tenrecs are not reported in the literature.
Communication and Perception
These tenrecs erect spines on the head while moving the head up and down repetitively
if the animal is disturbed. This is how an animal can impale a potential enemy or
predator with quills. If a disturbance continues, stamping of the forefeet may occur
as well as rushing at the disturbance; even bright light has been known to bring on
these reactions. Males may fight over females by biting each other, head-butting,
or grappling, but they are generally docile. Head-butting is extremely useful during
scuffles over mates due to an enlarged frontalis muscle on the forehead that increases
mobility of the facial spines. Females also are non-aggressive and usually just try
to avoid each other. Nose-touching is a common mode of interaction between individuals.
When introduced to a new location, streaked tenrecs repeatedly use an explicit area
as a latrine and will sometimes mark new burrows with feces.
A stridulation organ consisting of 7 to 16 specialized spines is found in both species
(
H. semispinosus
and
H. nigriceps
). When the tips of these spines are rubbed together rapidly they produce high-frequency
sounds that are thought to allow communication between members of foraging groups.
These sounds might also be used as a predator warning device. Tongue clicks are used
as well and may be a possible means of echolocation, but further studies should be
conducted to see whether or not true echolocation is used. Chattering and/or squeaking
sounds are emitted when the animal is disturbed which sometimes occurs with a low
buzzing which happens when quills begin to rise as a reaction to being upset. Scent-marking
has also been observed to mark territories in some individuals.
- Other Communication Modes
- scent marks
- Perception Channels
- visual
- tactile
- ultrasound
- chemical
Food Habits
Streaked tenrecs (
H. semispinosus
and
H. nigriceps
) are almost exclusively vermivorous (worm-eating), but other available invertebrates
may also be eaten. They sometimes stamp on the ground with the forepaws, which may
increase earthworm activity. Foraging in highland streaked tenrecs (
H. nigriceps
) seems to occur especially in or around rice paddies and manioc fields.
- Primary Diet
-
carnivore
- vermivore
- Animal Foods
- insects
- terrestrial non-insect arthropods
- terrestrial worms
Predation
Both species (
H. semispinosus
and
H. nigriceps
) are the natural prey of Dumeril's boas (
Acrantophis dumerilli
), Malagasy ring-tailed mongooses (
Galidia elegans
), Malagasy fossas (
Cryptoprocta ferox
) and Malagasy civets (
Fossa fossana
). Humans have also been known to capture and kill streaked tenrecs, both by hand
and with dogs (pers. obs.). Streaked tenrecs are cryptically colored and vigilant
to avoid being noticed by predators. Their spines and use of burrows also helps to
protect them from predation.
- Anti-predator Adaptations
- cryptic
Ecosystem Roles
Streaked tenrecs are important as predators of worms in their native Malagasy habitats.
A lesion on a lowland streaked tenrec individual led to the discovery of a new species
of microsporidian fungi.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Other tenrecs such as
Setifer setosus
and
Tenrec ecaudatus
have been proposed to be raised as ‘mini-livestock’ for human consumption, so it
is possible that both highland (
H. semispinosus
) and lowland streaked tenrecs (
H. nigriceps
) could be looked upon as an exotic game meat.
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
Highland streaked tenrecs (
H. nigriceps
) are known to harbor antibodies for bubonic plague, so it seems likely that lowland
streaked tenrecs (
H. semispinosus
) might also have these antibodies and could be a potential carrier.
Conservation Status
Hemicentetes semispinosus is listed as a species of least concern by IUCN due to their widespread distribution, high abundance, and high tolerance to areas with a high abundance of humans. Hemicentetes semispinosus also occurs in numerous protected reserves and national parks.
Other Comments
Hemicentetes nigriceps
was once considered a subspecies of
Hemicentetes semispinosus
. While many authors now recognize that they are separate species, some authors still
believe
H. nigriceps
to be a subspecies
Both highland (
H. nigriceps
) and lowland (
H. semspinosus
) streaked tenrecs have 38 chromosomes. Pit fall traps are commonly used to catch
both species. Lowland streaked tenrecs are also missing the 3rd trochanter on the
hindlimbs and have a larger teres major muscle on the upper back than other tenrecs.
Both streaked tenrec species also have extremely low resting metabolic rates compared
to similar sized eutherians.
Additional Links
Contributors
Tanya Dewey (editor), Animal Diversity Web.
Katie Kokx (author), University of Alaska Fairbanks, Link E. Olson (editor, instructor), University of Alaska Fairbanks.
- Ethiopian
-
living in sub-Saharan Africa (south of 30 degrees north) and Madagascar.
- native range
-
the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.
- island endemic
-
animals that live only on an island or set of islands.
- tropical
-
the region of the earth that surrounds the equator, from 23.5 degrees north to 23.5 degrees south.
- terrestrial
-
Living on the ground.
- rainforest
-
rainforests, both temperate and tropical, are dominated by trees often forming a closed canopy with little light reaching the ground. Epiphytes and climbing plants are also abundant. Precipitation is typically not limiting, but may be somewhat seasonal.
- agricultural
-
living in landscapes dominated by human agriculture.
- iteroparous
-
offspring are produced in more than one group (litters, clutches, etc.) and across multiple seasons (or other periods hospitable to reproduction). Iteroparous animals must, by definition, survive over multiple seasons (or periodic condition changes).
- seasonal breeding
-
breeding is confined to a particular season
- year-round breeding
-
breeding takes place throughout the year
- sexual
-
reproduction that includes combining the genetic contribution of two individuals, a male and a female
- induced ovulation
-
ovulation is stimulated by the act of copulation (does not occur spontaneously)
- viviparous
-
reproduction in which fertilization and development take place within the female body and the developing embryo derives nourishment from the female.
- altricial
-
young are born in a relatively underdeveloped state; they are unable to feed or care for themselves or locomote independently for a period of time after birth/hatching. In birds, naked and helpless after hatching.
- fossorial
-
Referring to a burrowing life-style or behavior, specialized for digging or burrowing.
- diurnal
-
- active during the day, 2. lasting for one day.
- motile
-
having the capacity to move from one place to another.
- sedentary
-
remains in the same area
- hibernation
-
the state that some animals enter during winter in which normal physiological processes are significantly reduced, thus lowering the animal's energy requirements. The act or condition of passing winter in a torpid or resting state, typically involving the abandonment of homoiothermy in mammals.
- social
-
associates with others of its species; forms social groups.
- tactile
-
uses touch to communicate
- acoustic
-
uses sound to communicate
- chemical
-
uses smells or other chemicals to communicate
- scent marks
-
communicates by producing scents from special gland(s) and placing them on a surface whether others can smell or taste them
- visual
-
uses sight to communicate
- tactile
-
uses touch to communicate
- ultrasound
-
uses sound above the range of human hearing for either navigation or communication or both
- chemical
-
uses smells or other chemicals to communicate
- cryptic
-
having markings, coloration, shapes, or other features that cause an animal to be camouflaged in its natural environment; being difficult to see or otherwise detect.
- carnivore
-
an animal that mainly eats meat
- endothermic
-
animals that use metabolically generated heat to regulate body temperature independently of ambient temperature. Endothermy is a synapomorphy of the Mammalia, although it may have arisen in a (now extinct) synapsid ancestor; the fossil record does not distinguish these possibilities. Convergent in birds.
- bilateral symmetry
-
having body symmetry such that the animal can be divided in one plane into two mirror-image halves. Animals with bilateral symmetry have dorsal and ventral sides, as well as anterior and posterior ends. Synapomorphy of the Bilateria.
References
Buffenstein, R., J. Salton. 2003. Field thermoregulatory profiles in tenrecs from the rainforest and dry forest of Madagascar. Integrative and Comparative Biology , 43: 1041.
Endo, H., T. Yonezawa, F. Rakotondraparany, M. Sasaki, M. Hasegawa. 2006. The adaptational strategies of the hindlimb muscles in the Tenrecidae species including the aquatic web-footed tenrec (Limnogale mergulus). Annals of Anatomy , 188: 383-390.
Goodman, S., J. Duchemin, J. Duplantier, D. Rakotondravony, V. Soarimalala. 2000. Syntopic occurrence of Hemicentetes semispinosus and H. nigriceps (Lipotyphla: Tenrecidae) on the Central Highlands of Madagascar. Mammalia , 64: 113-116.
Gould, E., J. Eisenberg. 1966. Notes on the biology of the Tenrecidae. Journal of Mammalogy , 47: 660-686.
Harduin, J. 1995. Minilivestock: from gathering to controlled production. Biodiversity and Conservation , 4: 220-232.
Marshall, C., J. Eisenberg. 1996. Hemicentetes semispinosus. The American Society of Mammalogists, 541: 1-4.
Riley, P., B. Chomel. 2005. Hedgehog zoonoses. Emerging Infectious Diseases , 11: 1-5.
Stephenson, P., P. Racey. 1994. Seasonal variation in resting metabolic rate and body temperature of streaked tenrecs, Hemicentetes nigriceps and H. semispinosus (Insectivora: Tenrecidae). Journal of Zoology , 232: 285-294.
Stephenson, P. 2003. Hemicentetes, Streaked Tenrecs. Pp. 1281-1283 in The Natural History of Madagascar . Chicago and London: University of Chicago Press.
Stephenson, P. 2007. Species profile: streaked tenrecs, Hemicentetes. Afrotherian Conservation Newsletter , 5: 1-3.
Symonds, M. 2005. Phylogeny and life histories of the ‘Insectivora’: controversies and consequences. Biological Reviews , 80: 93-128.
Vavra, J., A. Horak, D. Modry, J. Lukes, E. Koudela. 2006. Trachipleistophora extenrec n. sp. a new microsporidian (Fungi : Microsporidia) infecting mammals. Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology , 53: 464-476.