The Aquitanian mole (Talpa aquitania) is a species of small burrowing mammal of the family Talpidae. It is found from the southwest of France to the north of Spain. Closely related to the European mole (T. europaea), this species was described in 2017,[1] and it is difficult to distinguish it from it.
This species was described in 2017 by zoologists Violaine Nicolas, Jessica Martínez-Vargas and Jean-Pierre Hugot.[1][2]
Its specific epithet, aquitania, means "Aquitaine", a former French region which is part of New Aquitaine, where it is most abundant.[1]
DistributionEdit
It ranges from the southwestern region of France to the north of Spain. It is mainly distributed south and west of the Loire River, with the inverse being true for the European mole; however, this is not a strict barrier, as specimens of both species have been caught on opposite sides of the river from their main distribution, and thus they are likely sympatric in some areas.[3]
DescriptionEdit
The Aquitanian mole is very similar to the European mole, a mole with a much wider range. It can be distinguished unambiguously from the European mole and the Spanish mole (T. occidentalis) by the combination of the following characters:[1]
the eyelids are fused;
the eyes are completely covered with a membrane, while the European Mole has its eyes open;
its head, body and hind legs are significantly larger in size;
its weight is also heavier; its weight varies from 72 to 106 g, the length of its head and body from 142 to 156 mm, its legs from 20 to 23 mm.
In addition, there are differences from these two species:
at the dental level (M2 and M3 molars);
from a genetic point of view (cytochrome b gene).[1]
^"Explore the Database". www.mammaldiversity.org. Retrieved 2021-10-17.
^Nicolas, Violaine; Hugot, Jean-Pierre; Cornette, Raphaël (2021-09-21). "New data on the distribution of the two mole species Talpa aquitania Nicolas, Matinez-Vargas & Hugot, 2017 and T. europaea Linnaeus, 1758 in France based on museum and newly collected specimens". Zoosystema. 43 (24): 585–617. doi:10.5252/zoosystema2021v43a24. ISSN 1280-9551. S2CID 238260731.
Cited SourcesEdit
(fr) Référence INPN : Talpa aquitania Nicolas, Martínez-Vargas & Hugot, 2017 (consulté le 22 janvier 2020)[failed verification]
Further readingEdit
Nicolas, Violaine; Martínez-Vargas, Jessica; Hugot, Jean-Pierre (26 October 2017). "Talpa aquitania sp. nov. (Talpidae, Soricomorpha), a new mole species from SW France and N Spain" (PDF). Mammalia. 81 (6): 641–642. doi:10.1515/MAMMALIA-2017-0057. ISSN 0025-1461. S2CID 90926022.
aquitanian, mole, talpa, aquitania, species, small, burrowing, mammal, family, talpidae, found, from, southwest, france, north, spain, closely, related, european, mole, europaea, this, species, described, 2017, difficult, distinguish, from, scientific, classif. The Aquitanian mole Talpa aquitania is a species of small burrowing mammal of the family Talpidae It is found from the southwest of France to the north of Spain Closely related to the European mole T europaea this species was described in 2017 1 and it is difficult to distinguish it from it Aquitanian moleScientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass MammaliaOrder EulipotyphlaFamily TalpidaeGenus TalpaSpecies T aquitaniaBinomial nameTalpa aquitaniaNicolas Martinez Vargas amp Hugot 2017Aquitanian mole range Contents 1 Taxonomy 2 Distribution 3 Description 4 References 4 1 Cited Sources 5 Further readingTaxonomy EditThis species was described in 2017 by zoologists Violaine Nicolas Jessica Martinez Vargas and Jean Pierre Hugot 1 2 Its specific epithet aquitania means Aquitaine a former French region which is part of New Aquitaine where it is most abundant 1 Distribution EditIt ranges from the southwestern region of France to the north of Spain It is mainly distributed south and west of the Loire River with the inverse being true for the European mole however this is not a strict barrier as specimens of both species have been caught on opposite sides of the river from their main distribution and thus they are likely sympatric in some areas 3 Description EditThe Aquitanian mole is very similar to the European mole a mole with a much wider range It can be distinguished unambiguously from the European mole and the Spanish mole T occidentalis by the combination of the following characters 1 the eyelids are fused the eyes are completely covered with a membrane while the European Mole has its eyes open its head body and hind legs are significantly larger in size its weight is also heavier its weight varies from 72 to 106 g the length of its head and body from 142 to 156 mm its legs from 20 to 23 mm In addition there are differences from these two species at the dental level M2 and M3 molars from a genetic point of view cytochrome b gene 1 References Edit a b c d e Nicolas Martinez Vargas amp Hugot 2017 Explore the Database www mammaldiversity org Retrieved 2021 10 17 Nicolas Violaine Hugot Jean Pierre Cornette Raphael 2021 09 21 New data on the distribution of the two mole species Talpa aquitania Nicolas Matinez Vargas amp Hugot 2017 and T europaea Linnaeus 1758 in France based on museum and newly collected specimens Zoosystema 43 24 585 617 doi 10 5252 zoosystema2021v43a24 ISSN 1280 9551 S2CID 238260731 Cited Sources Edit fr Reference INPN Talpa aquitania Nicolas Martinez Vargas amp Hugot 2017 consulte le 22 janvier 2020 failed verification Further reading EditNicolas Violaine Martinez Vargas Jessica Hugot Jean Pierre 26 October 2017 Talpa aquitania sp nov Talpidae Soricomorpha a new mole species from SW France and N Spain PDF Mammalia 81 6 641 642 doi 10 1515 MAMMALIA 2017 0057 ISSN 0025 1461 S2CID 90926022 Talpa aquitania Nicolas Martinez Vargas amp Hugot 2016 National Center for Biotechnology Information NCBI Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Aquitanian mole amp oldid 1117685505, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
