Talazac’s shrew tenrec is the largest of the shrew tenrecs.

• Average head and body length of 120 mm (range105 – 138 mm) and weight of 41 grams (ranging from 32 – 60 grams)
• The head has
  • a long tapering snout, with long vibrissae
  • small eyes
  • small but prominent naked ears
• The pelage on the upper surface of the head and body is soft, dense and brown in colour, while the underside is paler buffy brown.
• Tail has a length of 137 mm (103 – 158 mm)
  • is scale-covered
  • ranges from 81 - 140% of head and body length
• Five digits are present on fore and hind limbs
• Upper surface is covered with short pale brown hair
• There is no obvious sexual dimorphism in external appearance or size

Diploid number (2n) = 30 (Hsu and Benirschke, 1970).

Lookalikes
Because of its large size, Microgale talazaci is unlikely to be confused with any of the smaller shrew tenrecs, with the exception of M. dobsoni (Dobson’s shrew tenrec), which is generally smaller (average head and body length 102 mm, tail length 112 mm and weight 31 grams). The tail of Dobson’s shrew tenrec acts as a fat storage organ and is often swollen, also serving to distinguish the two species.

Reproduction
In captivity the breeding season starts during September to October, marked by increasing displays of aggression between members of the same sex (Stephenson et al., 1994). Most births in captivity occur from November to January and in the eastern humid forest generally from late November to early December, coinciding with the early part of the rainy season, when food is plentiful. Information from field notes and observations in captivity suggest that one litter of two to three infants per year is the norm. Infants open their eyes at 28 days old (Stephenson et al., 1994).

Microgale talazaci Talazac’s shrew tenrec is endemic to Madagascar as are all members of the genus Microgale.The shrew tenrec is found in the forests and caves of in the northern highlands, eastern humid forest and central highlands of Madagacar.Talazac’s is the largest of the shrew tenrecs, the head has a large tapering snout, the body fur is soft dense and brown and a long tail up to 180% of the body length.Microgale talazaci has a wide distribution and a large population, Nevertheless, as for much of the fauna of Madagascar, there are potential long-term threats to the species from habitat loss caused by conversion of forest to agricultural land, logging activities and fire.

This species is widely distributed in areas of relatively intact eastern humid forests of Madagascar. It ranges between 100 and 2,300 m asl.

Long-tailed tenrecs, Microgale talazaci, can be found in northern and eastern Madagascar.

Biogeographic Regions: ethiopian (Native )

Other Geographic Terms: island endemic

Distribution
Microgale talazaci is endemic to Madagascar as are all members of the genus Microgale.Microgale talazaci occurs in the northern highlands, eastern humid forest and central highlands of N, E and SE Madagascar. The species has a broad altitudinal range, from lowland to sclerophyllous montane forest, at altitudes of between 100 and 2,300m asl. Subfossils of this species have been recorded from Holocene caves in the extreme north of Madagascar (MacPhee, 1987).

Habitat
This species is terrestrial and scansorial, spending much of its time foraging amongst leaf litter, fallen branches and roots on the forest floor, with studies in captivity showing that the animal is a good climber, capable of climbing and jumping amongst branches (Eisenberg and Gould, 1970).

Microgale talazaci weighs between 31 and 47 g. It measures from 40 to 130 mm in length, and its tail adds an additional 43 to 160 mm to the total length. The tail can be as long as 1.5 times the length of the head and body. There is no obvious sexual dimorphism. Unlike other members of the genus (e.g. Microgale dobsoni), which can gain extensive amounts of fat during winter, M. talazaci does not appear to accumulate fat or become less active during winter.

The fur is short, dense, and soft. The dorsal side is dark brown, sometimes black, and the ventral side is usually gray. The long tail is prehensile. The forelimbs have five digits, but are not adapted for digging. These tenrecs have large ears.

Range mass: 31 to 47 g.

Range length: 40 to 130 mm.

Average basal metabolic rate: 0.243 W.

Habitat and Ecology

Systems

• Terrestrial

Long-tailed tenrecs adjust to a variety of environments. They usually reside in humid forests where there is dense vegetation near the surface. Microgale talazaci is a surface forager and climber. The species can be found from low elevation forests (800 m) to montane forests (2300 m).

Range elevation: 800 to 2300 m.

Habitat Regions: tropical ; terrestrial

Terrestrial Biomes: forest

M. talazaci feeds primarily on insects and sometimes frogs. Members of the genus Microgale apparently use sounds and scents to locate their prey.

Animal Foods: amphibians; insects

Primary Diet: carnivore (Insectivore )

Little is know about the role of M. talazaci in its ecosystem. However, it is reasonable to assume that as predators, these tenrecs have some impact on populations of insects and other invertebrates. As a prey species, M. talazaci influences predator populations.

Because M. talazaci is small and lacks spines in its fur to deter predators, this species is potential prey for any larger animals, especially snakes and myriapods. Specific details on predation upon these tenrecs are lacking.

Known Predators:

• snakes (Serpentes)
• myriapods (Myriapoda)

Little is known about M. talazaci communication. Other members of the genus are reported to make several vocalizations during agonstic encounters, and it is likely that M. talazaci is similar.

Although not reported for this species, it is likely that M. talazaci uses other forms of communication. It is likely that scent cues are important, especially in individual identification and reproduction. Tactile communication is also probably important between mates, as well as between mothers and their offspring. The role of visual signals in these animals has not been reported.

Another member of the same genus, Microgale dobsoni, is reported to use echolocation to help navigate its environment. It is not known whether M. talazaci uses similar echolocation.

Communication Channels: tactile ; acoustic ; chemical

Perception Channels: visual ; acoustic

Microgale talazaci although believed to be solitary in nature, in captivity male and female pairs share nests. Males show aggression towards each other by mouth gaping, squealing or biting, usually resolved by the weaker animal fleeing to cover. Both males and females scent mark by repeatedly dragging the cloacal region over the same surface. Information from captivity studies by Eisenberg and Gould (1970) and Stephenson and Racey (1993).

Feeding
The major part of the diet in captivity includes a variety of insects, particularly Coleoptera and Orthoptera, but frogs are also eaten (Eisenberg and Gould, 1970; Stephenson et al., 1994) and there is evidence from pitfall trapping that other vertebrate prey, such as smaller species of Microgale (M. cowani and M. drouhardi) are consumed, although this may be due to lack of the ability to escape.

Predators
Potential predators include any larger reptiles, birds or mammals and there is evidence that this species is preyed on by the fossa Cryptoprocta ferox (MacPhee, 1987; Goodman et al., 1997).

From a captivity study, the maximum longevity is 5 years and 10 months.

Range lifespan

Status: captivity: 5.8 (high) years.

Average lifespan

Status: wild: 5.8 years.

Average lifespan

Status: captivity: 5.8 years.

Maximum longevity: 5.8 years (captivity) Observations: Record longevity in captivity is reportedly 5.8 years (Ronald Nowak 1999).

Microgale talazaci is primarily solitary, but a male and female will sometimes form a stable relationship which lasts throughout the year. Based upon this stability, it is likely that the species is monogamous, although specific reports of this are lacking. At the beginning of the breeding season, there are some signs of aggression towards members of the same sex, which may indicate that there is some competition for or defense of mates.

Mating System: monogamous

Breeding interval: Microgale talazaci is capable of breeding every two months.

Breeding season: Breeding typically occurs during the austral spring/summer.

Range number of offspring: 1 to 3.

Range gestation period: 58 to 63 days.

Range weaning age: 28 to 30 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 21 months.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 21 months.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); fertilization ; viviparous

Average birth mass: 3.6 g.

Average number of offspring: 2.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)

Sex: male: 639 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)

Sex: female: 639 days.

Little is known about parental investment in this species. However, it is known that the young are small and probably altricial at birth, weighing only about 3.6 g. As in other mammals, it is likely the female who provides the bulk of parental care to offspring, nursing, cleaning, and protecting them as they grow. Young are weaned at about 28 to 30 days of age, and no data are available on the relationship between mother and offspring after this time. The role of the father in parental care is not known.

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

Although M. talazaci is not listed by any major conservation organizations as threatened or endangered, it does inhabit forests which are under pressure from expanding human populations. Other members of the genus Microgale are listed as conservation concerns.

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

Microgale talazaci is rated as Least Concern (IUCN, 2009) in view of its wide distribution, presumed large population, presence in a number of protected areas, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category. Nevertheless, as for much of the fauna of Madagascar, there are potential long-term threats to the species from habitat loss and fragmentation caused by conversion of forest to agricultural land, logging activities and fire.

Population

Population Trend

Major Threats

Conservation Actions

There are no known negative economic impacts which these tenrecs have upon human populations.

Long-tailed tenrecs eat insects and mix soil. These two behaviors may positively affect humans who live near these animals.

Positive Impacts: controls pest population