Gray-bellied caenolestid


The gray-bellied caenolestid, or grey-bellied shrew opossum, is a shrew opossum found in humid, temperate forests and moist grasslands of western Ecuador and northwestern Peru. It was first described by American zoologist Harold Elmer Anthony in 1921. Little is known about the behavior of the gray-bellied caenolestid. It appears to be terrestrial and crepuscular or nocturnal. Diet consists of invertebrate larvae, small vertebrates and plant material. The IUCN classifies the gray-bellied caenolestid as near threatened.

Taxonomy and etymology

The gray-bellied caenolestid is one of the five members of Caenolestes, and is placed in the family Caenolestidae. It was first described by American zoologist Harold Elmer Anthony in 1921. In the latter part of 20th century, scientists believed that Caenolestes is closely related to Lestoros. Over the years, it became clear that Lestoros is morphologically different from Caenolestes. A 2013 morphological and mitochondrial DNA-based phylogenetic study showed that the Incan caenolestid and the long-nosed caenolestid form a clade sister to Caenolestes. The cladogram below is based on this study.
Caenolestid fossils date to as early as the early Eocene. The generic name Caenolestes derives from the Greek words kainos and lestes.

Ecology and behavior

Little is known about the behavior of the gray-bellied caenolestid. It appears to be terrestrial and crepuscular or nocturnal. It appears to be an "opportunistic feeder". Analysis of stomach contents of individuals from Peru suggested a diet comprised largely by invertebrate larvae ; small vertebrates and plant material are also consumed. A pregnant female captured in Ecuador was found to have two fetuses in its womb.

Distribution and status

The gray-bellied caenolestid inhabit cool, moist areas with good cover; it is known from humid, temperate forests at altitudes of up to, and moist grasslands in the subtropics. It occurs in small tunnels under tree roots by streams. The range covers western Ecuador and northwestern Peru. The IUCN classifies the gray-bellied caenolestid as near threatened. Its population has decreased by nearly 20% since the 1990s; numbers are feared to be declining due to deforestation and agricultural expansion. The gray-bellied caenolestid occurs in Cajas National Park and Mazán Ecological Reserve.