Streaked Tenrec (Hemicentetes semispinosus)
There are two species in the genus Hemicentetes, H. semispinosus and H. nigriceps; both are found only on Madagascar. Lowland streaked tenrecs (H. semispinosus) are found in the rainforests on the east side of the island and highland streaked tenrecs (H. nigriceps) are found in humid forest and plateau savanna boundary habitat in the central upland portion of Madagascar.
Lowland streaked tenrecs (H. semispinosus) are found in tropical rainforest habitats while highland streaked tenrecs (H. nigriceps) are found in both tropical rainforest and savanna habitats. Their ranges were not thought to overlap, but they were found coexisting in the widely varied habitat of Mahatsinjo Forest in 2000, which led researchers to believe that they were separate species rather than subspecies.
Lowland streaked tenrecs (H. semispinosus) have black and yellow quills covering their bodies and have four primary longitudinal yellow stripes. One of these yellow stripes is found down the median of the rostrum and the other three are found on the body. Of the stripes found on the body, two are found down the middle of the sides and the third is found down the middle of the dorsum. Highland streaked tenrecs (H. nigriceps) have black and white quills and have a similar striped pattern, but there is no stripe on the rostrum. The function of the black and white pattern may be to mimic juvenile Tenrec ecaudatus since the parents of this species are known to be aggressively protective. The striping patterns of both species may have developed as a type of camouflage while foraging. Both species have barbed detachable quills to use as a defense mechanism; these quills cover a woolly underfur. A stridulation organ consisting of several of these quills is also present, and when the quills are rubbed together they emit a high-pitched sound which is hypothesized to be a source of communication among individuals. A tail is absent in both species, and body lengths average 140 mm. Body weights range from 80 to 150 g in highland streaked tenrecs (H. nigriceps), making them slightly smaller than lowland streaked tenrecs, whose body weight ranges from 125 to 280 g. A cloaca is present for reproduction, urination, and defecation, and both species have zalambdodont molars. The spinal columns include an unusually large number of lumbar vertebrae (20 to 21 vertebrae).
Streaked tenrecs (H. semispinosus and H. nigriceps) are almost exclusively vermivorous (worm-eating), but other available invertebrates may also be eaten. They sometimes stamp on the ground with the forepaws, which may increase earthworm activity. Foraging in highland streaked tenrecs (H. nigriceps) seems to occur especially in or around rice paddies and manioc fields.
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