. Bonner zoologische Monographien. Zoology. THORN & K£RBIS PETERHANS, SMALL MAMMALS OF UGANDA lyses show Macroscelidea to belong in a new larger grouping called Afrotheria, with not only golden- moles and tenrecs (Afrosoricida), but aardvark, hyraxes, elephants, and manatees; but which excludes shrews and hedgehogs (formerly also in Insectivora) (Murphy et al. 2001, and other papers). Only about fifteen species in four genera of ele- phant-shrews are known today, and only four species occur in Uganda. With an animal in hand (they are very inoffensive), identification should be possible fro
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. Bonner zoologische Monographien. Zoology. THORN & K£RBIS PETERHANS, SMALL MAMMALS OF UGANDA lyses show Macroscelidea to belong in a new larger grouping called Afrotheria, with not only golden- moles and tenrecs (Afrosoricida), but aardvark, hyraxes, elephants, and manatees; but which excludes shrews and hedgehogs (formerly also in Insectivora) (Murphy et al. 2001, and other papers). Only about fifteen species in four genera of ele- phant-shrews are known today, and only four species occur in Uganda. With an animal in hand (they are very inoffensive), identification should be possible from external appearance alone. Skulls present some difficulties because of the confusing development of upper milk teeth, with only two incisors, no canine, two premolars, being replaced by three permanent upper incisors, a canine, three premolars, and two molars. 7lthough already full-grown before adult teeth have pushed out alLmilk teeth, final adult dentition is immediately followed by sealing the basi-occipital suture (Thomas 1890, Allen 1922, Hill 1938). Ele- phant-shrew newborn, single or twins, are almost immediately active, with large open eyes, and prob- ably begin to feed on ants, termites, and other insects long before they are weaned. Like their prey, elephant- shrews seem to be mostly diurnal, and some species indulge in sun-bathing, but run (not hop) extremely fast to shelter if danger threatens. More-or-less faith- ful couples maintain a series of cleared little trails in their territory for foraging and for rapid escape. Rhyn- chocyon and to a lesser extent E. brachyrhynchus prefer forest or woods, while E. rufescens and fuscipes occur in more open savanna or grassland (Rathbun 1992, Leirs et al. 1995). Key to Uganda Macroscelididae la) Rabbit-sized, with long snout and long tail, conspicuous grid of large dark squares over back, hindfoot 70-78, in forest Rhynchocyon cirnei stuhlmanni lb) Rat-sized, with fairly uniform fur color; hindfoot 28-38 with five hind to