Atelerix is a genus of hedgehog in the family Erinaceidae. It contains four species, all native to Africa.[1]
Species
- Four-toed hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)
- North African hedgehog (Atelerix algirus)
- Southern African hedgehog (Atelerix frontalis)
- Somali hedgehog (Atelerix sclateri)
The Atelerix diversified from its family because of geographical isolation during Pleistocene climate changes. This being a type of vicariance separation from the Niger River. This allowed the Erinaceidane family to be more diverse.
References
- ^ a b Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M., eds. (2005). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
| Authority control databases: National |
|---|
You must be logged in to post a comment.