Orlov's mole
Orlov's mole (Euroscaptor orlovi) is a species of mammal in the family Talpidae. It is known from northern Vietnam, southern China, and possibly Laos.[1][2] It was named after Russian zoologist Nikolai L. Orlov of the Russian Academy of Sciences.[3]
| Orlov's mole | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Eulipotyphla |
| Family: | Talpidae |
| Genus: | Euroscaptor |
| Species: | E. orlovi |
| Binomial name | |
| Euroscaptor orlovi Zemlemerova, Bannikova, Lebedev, Rozhnov, & Abramov, 2016 | |
 | |
| Orlov's mole range | |
Taxonomy
E. orlovi and its sister species, Kuznetsov's mole (E. kuznetsovi) were formerly considered populations of the long-nosed mole (E. longirostris), but a 2016 study found sufficient genetic divergence to split the populations as distinct species. The Red River likely serves as the geographical barrier separating E. orlovi from E. kuznetsovi.[3]
Distribution
It is known from Lào Cai Province in northern Vietnam and Yunnan in southern China. However, it may have a wider distribution in the highlands of northern Laos and in areas of northwestern Vietnam west of the Red River.
Description
It is a large-sized mole comparable in size to E. longirostris. It can be distinguished by its long, club-shaped tail as well as its small, light-built skull with a narrow rostrum compared to E. kuznetsovi. It has shorter toothrows than E. longirostris.[3]
References
- "Explore the Database". www.mammaldiversity.org. Retrieved 2021-11-03.
- taxonomy. "Taxonomy browser (Euroscaptor orlovi)". www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 2021-11-03.
- Zemlemerova, E.D.; Bannikova, A.A.; Lebedev, V.S.; Rozhnov, V.V.; Abramov, A.V. (2016). "Secrets of the Underground Vietnam: an Underestimated Species Diversity of Asian Moles (Lipotyphla: Talpidae: Euroscaptor)". Proceedings of the Zoological Institute RAS. 320 (2): 193–2200. doi:10.31610/trudyzin/2016.320.2.193. Retrieved 2021-11-03.