Northern caenolestid
The northern caenolestid ("Caenolestes convelatus"), also known as the blackish shrew opossum, is a shrew opossum found in Colombia and Ecuador. It is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN. Taxonomy and etymology. The northern caenolestid is one of the five members of "Caenolestes", and is placed in the family Caenolestidae (shrew opossums). It was first described by American zoologist Harold Elmer Anthony in 1924. In the latter part of 20th century, scientists believed that "Caenolestes" is closely related to "Lestoros" (the Incan caenolestid). 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 ("Rhyncholestes raphanurus") form a clade sister to "Caenolestes". The cladogram below is based on this study. Two subspecies are recognized: Caenolestid fossils date to as early as the early Eocene (nearly 55 mya). The generic name "Caenolestes" derives from the Greek words "kainos" ("new") and "lestes" ("robber", "pirate"). Description. The northern caenolestid is similar to the gray-bellied caenolestid in coat coloration but differs in cranial features. Distribution and habitat. The northern caenolestid occurs in and around alpine and secondary forests. The populations  appear to have been divided into two parts – the Andes of western Colombia and northcentral Ecuador. It occurs in an altitudinal range of in Colombia, though in Ecuador it has been recorded at a height of . In 2008, the IUCN classified the northern caenolestid as Vulnerable because it is known only from an area of . Deforestation is a major threat, and more severe in Ecuador.