Nectogalini

Nectogalini is a tribe of Old World water shrews within the family Soricidae. As of late 2007, it consisted of six extant genera and 25 species, with some of the latter being further divided into subspecies.

Nectogalini[1]
Southern water shrew (Neomys anomalus)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Eulipotyphla
Family: Soricidae
Subfamily: Soricinae
Tribe: Nectogalini
Andersson, 1879
Genera

6 extant, 1 extinct see article.

Adaptation to semiaquatic life

Members of this tribe that are associated with a semiaquatic mode of life have developed several lifestyle adaptations. For example, some species in the genera Chimarrogale, Nectogale, Neomys, and Sorex have stiff hairs on the sides of their toes and feet, both on their fore and hind limbs. These increase the surface area of the feet, assisting in locomotion during swimming. In addition, species such as Neomys fodiens have developed elongated tails with the hairs forming a keel-like shape that is similar in function to a rudder when the animal is in the water.[2]

Genera

Chimarrogale (6 species)
Chodsigoa (10 species)
Episoriculus (4 species)
Nectogale (monotypic)
Neomys (3 species)
Soriculus (monotypic)
†Asoriculus (3 species)

References
  1. Anderson, J. 1879. Anatomical and zoological researches in western Yunnan. Quaritch, London, 984 pp.
  2. Churchfield, Sara, 1990. The Natural History of Shrews. C. Helm/A & C Black, 178 pp.
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