Scientists have discovered two new species of animal recently, one in Tanzania and the other in Nepal. Though the researchers had spotted the giant, cat-sized shrew (Rhynchocyon udzungwensis) as far back as 2005 in Tanzania, they have now identified it as a new kind of giant sengi.
The findings were published in the Feb. 4 issue of the Journal of Zoology.
Meanwhile, in the wetlands of southern Nepal, scientists captured a new kind of warbler. It is a sub-species that seems to be the "missing link" between two other species of warbler...blah, blah, blah. Let's get back to the massive sengi!
Recent research suggests that elephant shrews are not actually related to shrews, mice and moles. They're actually closely related to elephants, sea cows and aardvarks at least according to Dr. Jack Dumbacher among others...awesome.
Thanks to Muhammar who got us the uber-shrew five days ago... which we were too lazy to get to until today.
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Chat with a shrew scientist...
Conservation International, one of the organizations that funded the expedition that found the new shrew, is hosting an online chat with one of the researchers that made the discovery. The live chat is tomorrow (Wed Feb 6), but you can presubmit questions now at http://www.conservation.org/cilive
Cheers!