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Eulipotyphla

Soricomorpha was once a commonly used classification unit in mammal classification, including shrews, moles and other animals. However, with the in-depth study of molecular phylogenetics in recent years, the traditional "Shrews" has been confirmed to be a paraphyletic group (i.e., from multiple different evolutionary branches), and its classification has been basically integrated into the more recognized "Eulipotyphla" today.

The context of historical classification changes:

  • Old classification (Insectivora): In the past, mammals had the "Insectivora" (Insectivora), including hedgehogs, shrews, moles, springtails, and beautiful mice. However, molecular studies have found that the Insectivora is a highly paraphyletic group, not a valid group of monophyletic origin.

  • The proposal of "Soricomorpha" (Soricomorpha): In order to correct the paraphyletic problem within the Insectivora, some taxonomists separated the hedgehogs into the "Erinaceomorpha" (Erinaceomorpha), while the shrews, moles, rock moles, fluke hedgehogs, and big-toed shrews were merged into the "Soricomorpha" (Soricomorpha). However, further molecular studies still show that the order Shrews is not strictly monophyletic.

  • Current classification (Eulipotyphla): Recent widely supported molecular systematic studies (such as Roca et al. and other molecular biological studies) have reclassified hedgehogs as a monophyletic group with shrews, moles, and shrews (Solenodontidae), namely "Eulipotyphla". This means that the traditional Soricomorpha is no longer an independent and valid order-level taxonomic unit, but is incorporated into Eulipotyphla, which includes the family Erinaceidae.

I. Introduction to Eulipotyphla (formerly including “Soricomorpha”)

1. General Characteristics:

  • Members are typically small to medium-sized, primarily insectivorous mammals with a generally elongated snout.

  • Many have poor eyesight but rely on acute hearing and smell. Some species have unique foraging adaptations, such as the tactile star-shaped nasal appendage in star-nosed moles.

  • They inhabit a wide range of environments including forests, grasslands, underground burrows, and island ecosystems.

2. Diversity and Distribution:

  • Eulipotyphla comprises around 450 species worldwide.

  • Except for Antarctica, Australia, and parts of South America, these animals are found on most continents and numerous islands.

3. Evolutionary History:

  • Historically, many small, insect-eating mammals were grouped together in the order Insectivora, which was later found to be polyphyletic.

  • “Soricomorpha” was proposed to separate hedgehogs (Erinaceomorpha) from shrews, moles, and relatives. However, further molecular studies revealed that hedgehogs, shrews, moles, and solenodons form a single clade: Eulipotyphla.

  • Fossil records trace these lineages back to the Paleogene, and the group likely experienced widespread adaptive radiation following the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary.

The Modern Consensus:

  • Under current taxonomy, the families traditionally associated with Soricomorpha (Soricidae, Talpidae, Solenodontidae) are included within the Eulipotyphla, together with hedgehogs (Erinaceidae). This unified group better represents their evolutionary history as supported by DNA evidence.

II. Classification Overview (Eulipotyphla)

While “Soricomorpha” is no longer widely recognized as a valid order, the following families (previously included in it) are now placed within Eulipotyphla. This order generally includes:

FamilyRepresentative Genera/SpeciesNotes
Erinaceidae (Hedgehogs and Gymnures)Erinaceus (European hedgehogs), Atelerix, HemiechinusHedgehogs with spines and gymnures without spines. Primarily Old World distribution.
Soricidae (Shrews)Sorex, Crocidura, NeomysOne of the largest families of mammals, shrews are small, insectivorous, and widely distributed.
Talpidae (Moles and Desmans)Talpa (European moles), Condylura (star-nosed mole), Scalopus (eastern mole)Primarily fossorial (burrowing) mammals; star-nosed mole uses specialized nasal appendages to detect prey.
Solenodontidae (Solenodons)Solenodon (Cuban and Hispaniolan solenodons)Rare, venomous, and primitive mammals restricted to the Caribbean. Critically endangered.
Extinct: Nesophontidae (West Indian shrews)Nesophontes (extinct genus)Formerly inhabited the West Indies, now extinct.

Note: Families such as the Soricidae and Talpidae were once part of Soricomorpha. With current taxonomy, they and the Solenodontidae, along with Erinaceidae, are recognized as part of Eulipotyphla.

III. Summary

The once recognized “Soricomorpha” is no longer considered a valid order. Instead, modern molecular data place shrews, moles, solenodons, and hedgehogs together in the order Eulipotyphla. This revised classification reflects a more accurate understanding of their evolutionary relationships.

From their early origins in the Paleogene, these small insectivorous mammals diversified across the Northern Hemisphere, adapting to various ecological niches. Today, whether it’s the widespread shrews, the specialized star-nosed mole, the spiny hedgehog, or the rare Caribbean solenodon, these mammals represent a fascinating lineage that has survived and adapted through millions of years of evolutionary change.

Carnivora Primates Rodents Chiroptera Eulipotyphla Ungulata Cetacea Lagoiformes Pangolins Proboscidea Monotremata
Tupaia belangeri

Tupaia belangeri

Tree shrew,Sino-Burmese tree shrew,northern tree shrew

Eulipotyphla LC

Features：Good at climbing, jumping, agile in action, timid and frightened, and have a strong sense of territory. Can produce 8 different sounds for alarm, attention, contact and defense.

The northern tree shrew (scientific name: Tupaia belangeri) is a tree shrew native to Indochina, the northeastern part of the South Asian subcontinent and southern China. Its type origin is near Yangon, Myanmar. It mainly inhabits tropical and subtropical forests and shrubs. The food is mainly insects, but also young birds, bird eggs, cereals, fruits, leaves, etc. Mainly distributed in Southeast Asia north of the Kra Isthmus. This species has a wide distribution range, large number, stable numbe...

Solenodon marcanoi

Solenodon marcanoi

Solenodon marcanoi

Eulipotyphla LC

Features：

Solenodon marcanoi is a species of furrow toothed shrew. Nocturnal, living in caves. Sensitive sense of touch, use the sense of touch to feed, after finding prey quickly bite and inject venom, with this method can catch larger prey, but also eat plant food. They have long snout like shrews, which th...

Solenodon paradoxus

Solenodon paradoxus

Solenodon paradoxus

Eulipotyphla LC

Features：It's a venomous mammal

Solenodon paradoxus is a mammal that lives on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean (Dominican Republic and Haiti).The shrew spends most of its time above ground at night, but it also spends part of its time underground. They sleep in cracks in rocks, holes in trees, holes in the ground, or hole...

Neohylomys hainanensis

Neohylomys hainanensis

Hainan hedgehog

Eulipotyphla LC

Features：Hedgehog without thorns

The Hainan New Hairy Hedgehog is similar in appearance to the hairy hedgehog and the shrew hedgehog, and similar to the species of the genus Helminthus, all have shorter tails, hence the name "New Hairy Hedgehog".The Hainan New Hairy Hedgehog is the only living species of the genus Helmint...

kangaroo

kangaroo

Eulipotyphla LC

Features：Pouch‌: Kangaroos are famous for the pouches possessed by females, a distinctive feature of the Kangaroo family. The pouch is located on the abdomen of a female kangaroo and is used to carry and raise her young.
‌Jumping Ability‌: Kangaroos are the highest and furthest jumping mammals. Their hind legs are powerful and capable of leaping at incredible speeds and heights.
‌Appearance characteristics‌: The kangaroo has a slender body, a small head, big eyes, long ears, and black whisker marks on both sides of its nostrils. Their tails are thick and thick, serving as a support when perching and as a balance when jumping.
‌Life habits‌: Kangaroos are herbivorous animals and mainly feed on grass and other plants. They like to gather in small groups, usually consisting of one male, multiple females and their cubs. Kangaroos have very sensitive senses of sight, hearing, and smell, which allow them to effectively avoid predators and find food in the wild.

Kangaroo (English: kangaroo, ganguro) is a mammal belonging to the genus Macropodidae, family Macropodidae, order Diprotodonta. The word "kangaroo" usually refers to the four largest species in the family Macropodidae, namely the red kangaroo, the eastern grey kangaroo, the western grey ka...

Erinaceus europaeus

Erinaceus europaeus

rinaceus，Prickly pig, hedgehog, hedgeho

Eulipotyphla LC

Features：Hedgehogs hibernate in late autumn and do not wake up until the temperature is warm enough in the spring of the following year. Interestingly, hedgehogs like to snore, and the sound of their snoring is similar to that of humans.
Behavioral characteristics: Hedgehogs are nocturnal, alert, and irritable. During the day, they usually hide in ambush in concealed places and wait until night to become active to look for food. When they feel danger, hedgehogs will roll up into a ball to defend and protect themselves.
As nocturnal animals, they like to build nests and rest in simple environments such as under the woods, rice fields, bushes, and grass, which can provide sufficient shelter and protection.
Reproduction behavior: The breeding time of hedgehogs is mainly from April to September. Generally, the baby hedgehogs do not have bristles when they are born, but the bristles will grow within a few hours. The number of cubs of hedgehogs is usually between 1 and 6. The mother hedgehog

Hedgehog (scientific name: Erinaceus) is the common name for the Erinaceus subfamily, also known as the thorn ball, thorn pig, hedgehog, and hedgehog. It is famous for its protective spines covering its back. When threatened, it will roll itself into a ball to protect itself. It is widely distribute...

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