This species is found in north-western, western, and southern Madagascar. The easternmost occurrence of this species was recorded recently in south-eastern Madagascar (Goodman et al. 1999). Although this species is not known from many sites, it likely occurs in appropriate habitat in between the known localities.

This species was not found during a recent survey of the environs of Fénérive (Rakotondravony et al. 1998).

Large-eared tenrecs are endemic to the island of Madagascar and are found in the south and southwest regions of the island.

Biogeographic Regions: ethiopian (Native )

Other Geographic Terms: island endemic

Large-eared tenrecs are small, shrew-like tenrecs with very short, soft pelage, hair-covered tails, and large pinnae. Dorsal coloration is variable, ranging from light gray to light reddish-brown. Ventrally, these animals are buffy white. Large-eared tenrecs are among the smallest living tenrecs, with wild-caught animals ranging in body mass from 5.0 to 8.5 g. The length of the head and body is 60 to 75 mm, and the total body length including the tail can be between 90 and 105 mm.

Certain characters distinguish G. aurita from other tenrecs. The dental formula is 2/2 1/1 3/2 3/3 = 34, whereas most tenrecs have 36 teeth. Furthermore, large-eared tenrecs are the only member of the family Tenrecidae that exibit postpartum oestrus, which allows females to suckle a first litter while a second litter is developing in utero.

Geogale aurita is heterothermic, and body temperatures parallel the surrounding temperature at all times of year, although body temperatures higher than ambient temperature are observed in pregnant and lactating females. Low metabolic rate is correlated with this relatively low body temperature.

Testes are abdominal in G. aurita, as they are in all other tenrecs. Members of the family Tenrecidae have a cloaca into which both the intestinal and genitourinary tracts empty.

Range mass: 5.0 to 8.5 g.

Average mass: 6.0 g.

Range length: 90 to 105 mm.

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; heterothermic ; bilateral symmetry

Average basal metabolic rate: 0.043 W.

Habitat and Ecology

Systems

• Terrestrial

Geogale aurita is found widely distributed in dry, deciduous forest, gallery forests, and spiny bush in southern and southwestern Madagascar. The species has also been observed in the rainforest of the southeast. These are environments with large annual variations in rainfall.

Habitat Regions: tropical ; terrestrial

Terrestrial Biomes: forest ; rainforest ; scrub forest

Large-eared tenrecs are specialized insectivores showing a clear preference for termites. Their diet consists exclusively of arthropods, which they locate by using sound. They may also show a significant preference for certain species.

Animal Foods: insects

Primary Diet: carnivore (Insectivore )

Large-eared tenrecs are specialized termites feeders and thus act as secondary consumers in an ecosystem. The species also provides feeding opportunities for consumers at higher trophic levels.

Geogale aurita is preyed upon by various groups of animals. Remains of large-eared tenrecs have been found in pellets from two species of owls: barn owls and Madagascar long-eared owls. Other species expected to be predators of large-eared tenrecs are snakes, including Malagasy cat-eye snakes, which are associated with the habitat where Geogale is found, and carnivores such as Malagasy narrow-striped mongooses.

Known Predators:

• Barn owl (Tyto alba)
• Madagascar long eared owl (Asio madagascariensis)
• Malagasy cat-eye snake (Madagascarophis colubrinus)
• Malagasy narrow-striped mongoose (Mungotictis decemlineata)

Large-eared tenrecs use sound to locate their termite prey. Being a nocturnal animal with poor eyesight, G. aurita depends on auditory and olfactory senses. As in all mammals, tactile communication is important between mates as well as between mothers and their offspring. Accoustic communication between members of this species has not been reported, but may occur.

Communication Channels: tactile ; chemical

Perception Channels: visual ; acoustic

The lifespan of long-eared tenrecs living in the wild is unknown but in captivity they have been observed to live for more than two and a half years.

Range lifespan

Status: captivity: more than two and a half (high) years.

Typical lifespan

Status: captivity: 2.5 (high) years.

Observations: In captivity these animals can live more than 2.5 years (Stephenson et al. 1994). Their maximum longevity is unknown.

Information on the mating systems of these tenrecs was not available in the literature reviewed. Mating systems of tenrecs in general are poorly known. Most tenrecs are solitary, although some species appear to form stable long-term bonds between males and females, indicating that they may mate monogamously. It is not known at this time what mating system is employed by G. aurita.

Mating takes place from late September to March. Because these animals have a post-partum estrus, they can produce multiple litters during that time. Coital lock occurs during copulation and can last for more than 20 minutes. Large-eared tenrecs are capable of arresting the development of litters, thus the gestation period varies between 54 and 69 days. Litter size varies from 1 to 5 individuals, and the weights of the neonates range from 0.5 to 0.8 g. The offspring are altricial, and are born with closed eyes and ears. Young are weaned soon after the opening of eyes, which takes place after 21 to 33 days of age.

Breeding interval: It is not known how often these animals breed in the wild.

Breeding season: Breeding occurs in late September to March.

Range number of offspring: 1 to 5.

Range gestation period: 54 to 69 days.

Range weaning age: 21 to 33 days.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); fertilization ; viviparous ; embryonic diapause ; post-partum estrous

Average birth mass: 0.7 g.

Average number of offspring: 3.9.

Parental care in this species has not been described. However, because G. aurita is a mammal, we know that females provide extensive maternal care. Young are altricial, so it is likely that mothers provide not just food to their young, but also protection, grooming, and shelter, until the time that the young are weaned and can care for themselves. Male parental care is varied in mammals, and lacking specific information for these tenrecs, it is impossible to speculate upon.

Parental Investment: altricial ; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female)

Large-eared tenrecs do not appear to be threatened, but as they are dependent on forest habitats, their distribution may decrease with increasing loss of suitable habitats. Other threats are indirect effects due to increased use of pesticides. Geogale aurita is a specialized termite feeder and termites are affected by pesticides. Thus, the potential effect on G. aurita appears high.

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

Population

Population Trend

Major Threats

Conservation Actions

Large-eared tenrecs have no known specific economic influence on human societies.

Habitats populated by large-eared tenrecs are not densely populated by humans, thus no known specific economic influence on human societies is known.