Brandt's hedgehog

Brandt's hedgehog
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Eulipotyphla
Family: Erinaceidae
Genus: Paraechinus
Species:
P. hypomelas
Binomial name
Paraechinus hypomelas
(Brandt, 1836)
Brandt's hedgehog range

Brandt's hedgehog (Paraechinus hypomelas) is a species of desert hedgehog native to parts of the Middle East and Central Asia.[2] Its common name derives from its having first been described by Johann Friedrich von Brandt, a director of the Zoological Department at the St Petersburg Academy of Sciences.

Description

Brandt's hedgehog is approximately the size of the West European hedgehog (about 500–1,000 g (18–35 oz) in weight and 25 cm (9.8 in) in length), but has distinctively large ears (similar to the long-eared hedgehog), and is a much faster runner, due to lighter needle protection. Unlike the long-eared hedgehog, however, it is predominantly nocturnal.[citation needed]

The first and only study of the Brandt's hedgehog histological skin characteristics found three layers of skin the epidermis, dermis and hypodermis;[3] while previous studies of other hedgehogs sited only two.[4]

Habitat

Brandt's hedgehog prefers arid desert areas and mountains. It often uses natural shelter, although it is still capable of digging dens when absolutely needed. It hibernates during colder weather.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ Bhattacharyya, T.; Srinivasulu, C.; Molur, S. (2017) [errata version of 2016 assessment]. "Paraechinus hypomelas". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T40610A115174910. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T40610A22326573.en. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  2. ^ Hutterer, R. (2005). Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 217. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  3. ^ Bazm, M. Akbari; Goodarzi, N.; Abumandour, M. M. A.; Naseri, L.; Hosseinipour, M. (2020). "Histological characterisation of the skin of the Paraechinus hypomelas, Brandt, 1836 (Erinaceidae: Eulipotyphla)". Folia Morphologica. 79 (2): 280–287. doi:10.5603/FM.a2019.0076. ISSN 1644-3284. PMID 31313824.
  4. ^ Abe, Yoshinori; Tanaka, Nobuyuki (2017-11-20). "Roles of the Hedgehog Signaling Pathway in Epidermal and Hair Follicle Development, Homeostasis, and Cancer". Journal of Developmental Biology. 5 (4): 12. doi:10.3390/jdb5040012. ISSN 2221-3759. PMC 5831796. PMID 29615568.


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