Other Definitions
insectivora (dict)
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InsectivoraErinaceidae
Soricidae
Talpidae
Solenodontidae
Nesophontidae The order Insectivora in the past was used as a scrapbasket for a variety of small to very small, relatively unspecialized, insectivorous mammals. The taxonomy has been refined in recent years, and tree shrews, elephant shrews, and colugos have now been placed in separate orders. Molecular evidence also indicates that golden moles and tenrecs should be separated as a new order Afrosoricida comprising Chrysochloridae (golden moles) and Tenrecidae (tenrecs). Other evidence now indicates that even Erinaceidae (hedgehogs) and Solenodontidae+Nesophontidae should also be placed in separate orders. Traditionally, the golden moles of southern Africa and the tenrecs of Madagascar and Africa were grouped with the hedgehogs, shrews and moles in the Lipotyphla. However there have always been minority opinions suggesting that Tenrecomorpha, or at least the golden moles, are not true Lipotyphlans. These families have been placed within Insectivora in the past: Not to be confused with insectivores (the eaters of insects considered as an ecological niche), not all of which belong to the Order Insectivora.
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