Solenodon

genus of mammals
(Redirected from Solenodontidae)

Solenodons (meaning "slotted-tooth") are venomous, nocturnal mammals in the family Solenodontidae.[3][1][2] They are burrowing insectivores.

Solenodon[3]
Temporal range: Pleistocene–Recent[1][2]
Hispaniolan solenodon
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Eulipotyphla
Family: Solenodontidae
Gill, 1872
Genus: Solenodon
Brandt, 1833
Type species
Solenodon paradoxus
Brandt, 1833
Species

Solenodon arredondoi
Solenodon cubanus
Solenodon marcanoi
Solenodon paradoxus

There is only one genus, Solenodon, They keep some primitive mammal characteristics. Their species resemble closely those which lived near the end of the age of the dinosaurs.

The two living solenodon species are the Cuban Solenodon (Solenodon cubanus), and the Haitian or Hispaniolan solenodon (Solenodon paradoxus). The Hispaniolan solenodon lives in many habitats on the island of Hispaniola from lowland dry forest to highland pine forest. Two other described species went extinct during the Quaternary.[3] Oligocene North American genera, such as Apternodus, have been suggested as relatives of Solenodon.[1]

References

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  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Whidden H.P. & Asher R.J. 2001. The origin of the Greater Antillean insectivorans. in Woods C.A. & Sergile F.E. Biogeography of the West Indies: patterns and perspectives. Boca Raton: CRC Press, pp. 237–252. ISBN 0-8493-2001-1 [1]
  2. 2.0 2.1 Savage R.J.G. & Long M.R. 1986. Mammal evolution: an illustrated guide. New York: Facts on File, p51. ISBN 0-8160-1194-X
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Hutterer R. 2005. Order Soricomorpha. In Wilson D.E. & Reeder D.M. Mammal species of the world. 3rd ed, Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 222–223. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0 [2]