An extensive review of the taxonomic history of Oryzorictes synonymized a previously recognized species, Oryzorictes hova with Oryzorictes hova after an extensive review of cranial and dental synapomorphies.
Oryzorictes has relatively underdeveloped eyes and ears, presumably relying on its tactile senses to navigate underground. Both species possesses a long, ennervated rostrum for touch perception, and probably rely on their sense of smell to direct them to areas of high prey density. However, little is known about aspects of social communication or environmental perception beyond these morphological observations.
Communication Channels: tactile ; chemical
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
The conservation status of these animals has not been evaluated.
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
Oryzorictes hova has been known to inhabit rice paddies in considerable densities, causing damage to young plants by uprooting shoots while burrowing.
Negative Impacts: crop pest
Other than its inherent value as a representative species of Madagascar's endemic biota, this species has little economic importance.
The role of Oryzorictes in ecosystem function is poorly understood, as data on their natural history are almost nonexistent. Despite this, this genus of tenrecs represents a unique example of adaptation to fill an available niche. The lack an extensive predator base as found on other continents suggests Madagascar's semifossorial species do not play as critical a role as the moles and gophers of North America's varied ecosystems in sustaining predator populations. Beyond this, we can speculate that O. hova plays some role in controlling insect and earthworm populations, and may help to aerate the soil. Further speculation is not possible with the scant information known about the island's complex ecosystems.
Ecosystem Impact: soil aeration
Nothing is known of the feeding habits of Oryzorictes other than data obtained through stomach content analyses. A high proportion of insects, earthworms, and some vegetable matter have been reported, but no further research has been conducted.
Animal Foods: insects; terrestrial worms
Plant Foods: roots and tubers
Primary Diet: carnivore (Insectivore )
Mole tenrecs, Oryzorictes hova, are endemic to the island of Madagascar, the result of a spectacular radiation from the single colonizing ancestor of all Malagasy tenrecs.
Biogeographic Regions: ethiopian (Native )
Other Geographic Terms: island endemic
Mole tenrecs inhabit the forested regions of Madagascar, from lowland humid forests to high elevation localities near tree line. Although semifossorial in nature, O. hova is also broadly distributed throughout wet bottomlands including agricultural sites (converted rice paddies) and natural marshes.
Range elevation: 0 to 1990 m.
Habitat Regions: tropical ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: forest
Wetlands: marsh
Other Habitat Features: agricultural
Specimens of Oryzorictes have been successfully kept in captivity, but full lifespan data have never been published. Lifespan data for wild specimens have never been collected. Long-tailed tenrecs, in the genus Microgale have been reported to live between 5 and 6 years. Because they are similar in size to Oryzorictes, lifespans may be similar.
Members of the genus Oryzorictes measure between 99 and 124 mm in length, and are between 28 g and 40 g. They share several of the morphological characters that typify semifossorial insectivores. Well developed forelimbs and elongated claws are accompanied by small eyes and ears. Albinism is expressed in some populations of O. hova, although more frequently a brown-tan bicoloration of the dorsal and ventral pelage is seen.
The principle morphological character that has defined both species of Oryzorictes is the relative number of toes on the forearm. As the name implies, Oryzorictes tetradactylus has only four toes. Other members of the genus have five toes. The relative length of the tail has also been used to distinguish O. hova and O. tetradactylus, the latter possessing a distinctly shorter tail. However significant overlap in observed tail lengths has been noted.
Range mass: 28 to 40 g.
Range length: 99 to 124 mm.
Average length: 112.8 mm.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry
Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike
The semifossorial nature of this species protects it from many of the natural predators of Madagascar. However, remains have been observed in owl pellets and the intestinal tract of at least one fossorial snake.
Known Predators:
Nothing is currently known on the mating systems of Oryzorictes in the wild. It is difficult to infer any pattern of mating because the family Tenrecidae shows considerable variation in their reproductive strategies.
Data from specimens collected provide a limited view of this animal's reproductive life history. Embryo counts place a maximum of four in a litter, although they posses six sets of mammae. Nowak (1999) reports an average of 3 young per litter. Testes remain abdominal throughout the year as in other members of Tenrecidae.
Breeding interval: The breeding interval ofthese animals is not known.
Breeding season: Breeding season of these animals has not been reported.
Range number of offspring: 1 to 4.
Average number of offspring: 3.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; viviparous
As with other aspects of the biology of this genus, almost nothing is known about the parental investment of Oryzorictes. However, because they are mammals, we can infer that females provide a great deal of parental care to their offspring. Females nurse their young, and provide them with protection, grooming, and other care until they are weaned. It is not known whether there is further association between offspring and their parents after independence. The role of males in parental care is not known.
Parental Investment: pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female)
The mole-like rice tenrec (Oryzorictes hova), also known as the fossorial tenrec or hova rice tenrec, is a species of mammal in the tenrec family. Like all other tenrecs, it is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist forests, swamps, freshwater lakes, and irrigated or seasonally flooded agricultural land.[2]
Oryzorictes hova eats insects like worms, and they spend some of their time above ground but mostly stay underground. They can also be found in rice fields.[3] Not much is known about their mating or reproduction, but the most offspring they have is 4.[4]
Due to allopatric speciation, the rice tenrec has been separated into 3 distinct populations across Madagascar. Each of these populations could be considered their own distinct species, but additional data is required for a formal description of the species.[5]
The mole-like rice tenrec (Oryzorictes hova), also known as the fossorial tenrec or hova rice tenrec, is a species of mammal in the tenrec family. Like all other tenrecs, it is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist forests, swamps, freshwater lakes, and irrigated or seasonally flooded agricultural land.
