There are so many types of shrews or shrews that we don't know about. Scientists discovered 14 new types of shrews in Sulawesi.
After about a decade of research, Anang S. Achmadi, Researcher at the Center for Biological Research at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) together with Jake Esselstyn, a mammalian expert from Louisiana State University (LSU), United States and Kevin C. Rowe, a mammalian expert from the Australian Museum of Victoria, found 14 types of this shrew.
The discovery of 14 shrews in Sulawesi is very important as a step to continue to obtain information and inventory of fauna species, especially mammals in Indonesia.
"This discovery was revealed when we and our team examined nearly 1,400 shrew specimens intensively. By confirming the molecular and morphological data of new specimens collected since 2010 and 2018 with older specimens collected since 1916, we were able to identify about 21 species of shrew from Sulawesi, "said Anang as one of the writers who also serves as Plt. Head of the BRIN Biological Research Center, quoted from an official press statement.
"A total of 14 shrews of which are new species. This discovery adds to the diversity of Sulawesi shrews to three times more than is known from any other island," he said.
Not only that, Esselstyn also admits that this discovery is very interesting, although sometimes frustrating. Usually, they discover one new breed at a time and derive immense joy from the discovery.
"But in this case it was extraordinary, because for the first few years, we couldn't reveal how many species we actually had," said the Professor from LSU's Department of Biological Sciences.
Esselstyn explained, taxonomy serves as the basic science of so many biological research and conservation efforts. While we don't know how many types exist or where they live, our ability to understand and preserve life is so limited, that it's important for researchers to document and uncover this diversity.
Anang added, currently researchers are still conducting research and describing new types of mammals. "With this discovery, which can actually reflect the biological richness of small or microscopic fauna groups that have not yet been revealed, it will be a challenge for BRIN researchers in the future," he added.
This discovery is a major milestone in Professor Jake Esselstyn's research. Esselstyn is interested in testing ecological and evolutionary hypotheses that might explain the diversity of shrews in Indonesia.
Together with Achmadi, Esselstyn began researching groups of mice on the island of Sulawesi since 2010. Apparently, they realized that too many species had not been revealed to test this hypothesis.
To note, shrews are a very diverse group of mammals. So far, 461 shrew species have been identified. This fauna has a very wide and worldwide distribution. These insectivorous animals are closer relatives of porcupines and moles than other types of mammals.
Several other teams who were also involved in this research expedition were Heru Handika, LSU Doctoral student, Mark Swanson alumnus from LSU, and Thomas Giarla from Siena College New York.
This finding has been published in the Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History with the title "Fourteen New Endemic Species of Shrew (Genus Crocidura) from Sulawesi Reveal a Spectacular Island Radiation.