List of eulipotyphlans

Eulipotyphla is an order of placental mammals which includes hedgehogs, gymnures, moles, shrew moles, desmans, solenodons, and shrews. Members of this order are called eulipotyphlans. The order currently comprises 486 extant species, which are grouped into 53 genera. Eulipotyphlans live worldwide, with the exceptions of Australia and most of South America, and in a variety of habitats, particularly forests, shrublands, and grasslands, but also including savannas, wetlands, deserts, and rocky areas. They come in a variety of body plans in contrasting shapes and sizes, and range in size from the Etruscan shrew, at 3 cm (1 in) plus a 3 cm (1 in) tail to the moonrat, at 46 cm (18 in) plus a 30 cm (12 in) tail.

Eulipotyphla is divided into four families: Erinaceidae, containing the hedgehogs and gymnures; Solenodontidae, containing the solenodons; Soricidae, containing the shrews; and Talpidae, containing the moles, shrew moles, and desmans. Erinaceidae has twenty-four species split between the subfamilies Erinaceinae (hedgehogs) and Galericinae (gymnures). Solenodontidae has only two species. Soricidae has 418 species split between the subfamilies Crocidurinae (white-toothed shrews), Myosoricinae (African shrews), and Soricinae (red-toothed shrews). Talpidae has 45 species split between the subfamilies Scalopinae (moles), Talpinae (moles, shrew moles, and desmans), and Uropsilinae (shrew moles). The exact classification of the species is not fixed, with many recent proposals made based on molecular phylogenetic analysis. No species have gone extinct since 1500 CE, but over 50 species, or more than 10 percent of all eulipotyphlans, are considered endangered or critically endangered.

Range maps are provided wherever possible; if a range map is not available, a description of the collective range of species in that genera is provided. Ranges are based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species unless otherwise noted.

The order Eulipotyphla consists of 486 extant species belonging to 53 genera. This does not include hybrid species or extinct prehistoric species. Modern molecular studies indicate that the 53 genera can be grouped into 4 families, and some of these families are subdivided into named subfamilies.

Family Erinaceidae

• Subfamily Erinaceinae (hedgehogs): 5 genera, 16 species
• Subfamily Galericinae (gymnures): 5 genera, 8 species

Family Solenodontidae (solenodons): 2 genera, 2 species

Family Soricidae

• Subfamily Crocidurinae (white-toothed shrews): 9 genera, 235 species
• Subfamily Myosoricinae (African shrews): 3 genera, 25 species
• Subfamily Soricinae (red-toothed shrews): 13 genera, 158 species

Family Talpidae

• Subfamily Scalopinae (moles): 5 genera, 7 species
• Subfamily Talpinae (moles, shrew moles, and desmans): 11 genera, 33 species
• Subfamily Uropsilinae (shrew moles): 1 genus, 4 species

The following classification is based on the taxonomy described by Mammal Species of the World (2005), with augmentation by generally accepted proposals made since using molecular phylogenetic analysis, as supported by both the IUCN and the American Society of Mammalogists.

Members of the Erinaceidae family are erinaceids, and include hedgehogs and gymnures. Erinaceidae comprises twenty-four extant species divided into 10 genera. These genera are grouped into two subfamilies: Erinaceinae, or hedgehogs, and Galericinae, or gymnures.

Members of the Solenodontidae family are solenodontids, and it comprises two extant species of solenodons, each in its own genus.

Members of the Soricidae family are soricids or shrews. Soricidae comprises 418 extant species divided into 25 genera. These genera are grouped into three subfamilies: Crocidurinae, or white-toothed shrews, Myosoricinae, or African shrews, and Soricinae, or red-toothed shrews.

Members of the Talpidae family are talpids, and include moles, shrew moles, and desmans. Talpidae comprises 24 extant species divided into 17 genera. These genera are grouped into three subfamilies: Scalopinae, or moles, Talpinae, containing moles, shrew moles, and desmans, and Uropsilinae, or shrew moles.