Chlorotalpa sclateri
Creators: name: Russell A. Mittermeier
name: Don E. Wilson
Publisher: name: Lynx Edicions
Year: 2018
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Chordata
Mammalia
Afrosoricida
Chrysochloridae
Chlorotalpa
Chlorotalpa sclateri

description: 12.
Sclater’s Golden Mole
Chlorotalpa sclateri
French: Taupe-dorée de Sclater / German: Sclater-Goldmull / Spanish: Topo dorado de Sclater
Taxonomy. Chrysochloris sclateri Broom, 1907,
Matjiesvlei, Beaufort West, Western Cape Province, South Africa.
Although C. sclateri is considered subspecifically distinct from C. duthieae by some authors, it is now considered a distinct species due to consistent differences in pelage color, chromosomal properties, malleus morphology, and habitat selection. Four subspecies recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution.
C.s.sclateriBroom,1907—fromBeaufortWestEalongKoueveldbergeandSneeubergetoGraaff-Reinet,WesternandEasternCapeprovinces,SSouthAfrica.
C.s.guwillarmodiRoberts,1936—fromextremeEFreeStateandSWKwaZulu-NatalSthroughLesothotoCEasternCapeProvince,SouthAfrica.
C.s.montanaRoberts,1924—knownonlyfromthetypelocalitynearWakkerstroom,MpumalangaProvince,ESouthAfrica.
C. s. shortridgei Broom, 1950 — known only from the type locality in Sutherland, Northern Cape Province, W South Africa.
Descriptive notes. Head-body 83-135 mm (males) and 82-123 mm (females), hindfoot 10-16 mm (males) and 9-13 mm (females); weight 22-54 g (males) and 22-48 g (females). There is no clear sexual dimorphism, although males are slightly larger than females on average. Sclater’s Golden Mole is small and stocky. Dorsum is glossy reddish brown, with darker midline; venter is dull grayish, with rufous tinge. Lips and cheeks are creamy yellow. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 30 and FN = 60.
Habitat. Karoo and grasslands habitats, restricted to high-elevation grasslands, scrub, and forested gorges. Sclater’s Golden Mole mostly occurs in light sandy soils due to weak digging claws but can use slightly heavier soils after rain.
Food and Feeding. Sclater’s Golden Mole eats mostly insect larvae and earthworms, foraging in subsurface tunnels extending out from nesting areas.
Breeding. Pregnant Sclater’s Golden Moles were recorded in December—January. Litter size is two, and young are born in grass-lined nests.
Activity patterns. Sclater’s Golden Moles are mostly nocturnal, but they can be active during the day for short periods after rain.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. Sclater’s Golden Mole is active in shallow subsurface tunnels that radiate from nesting chambers located under rocks or trees. Adults are solitary.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Sclater’s Golden Mole is relatively widespread, is adaptable to areas transformed by human activities, and occurs in mountainous areas where human impacts are unlikely to be great. It faces no major conservation threats.
Bibliography. Bronner (1995b, 2013b), Bronner & Bennett (2016a).
description: Published as part of Russell A. Mittermeier & Don E. Wilson, 2018, Chrysochloridae, pp. 180-203 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 8 Insectivores, Sloths and Colugos, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on page 200, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6624497