Discovery of Five New Soft-Feathered Porcupine Species in Southeast Asia, Including Indonesia

International researchers have recently made an exciting discovery in Southeast Asia, identifying five new species of soft-furred porcupines, including in Indonesia. This groundbreaking identification was achieved through a combination of DNA analysis and examination of physical characteristics, highlighting the vast potential for further exploration and study of various animal species, particularly mammals.

The study, led by researchers from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in the United States, involved collaboration with experts from institutions such as the University of Seville, the Donana Biological Station in Spain, George Mason University, the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum in Singapore, and the University of Malaya in Malaysia. Published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society on December 21, 2023, the research utilized DNA analysis and physical traits to describe two new species of fluffy hedgehogs and elevate the taxonomy of three subspecies to species level.

The two newly identified species, named Hylomys vorax and H. macarong, are endangered animals endemic to the Leuser ecosystem, a tropical rainforest in North Sumatra, Indonesia, and southern Vietnam. Specimens crucial for the description of these species were sourced from the natural history collections of the Smithsonian and the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University in Philadelphia, with some specimens having been stored for decades before being recognized as new species.

Arlo Hinckley, the lead author of the study, explained that soft-furred hedgehogs, also known as gymnures, are small mammals belonging to the hedgehog family. Unlike their spiky relatives, these species possess finer and softer fur, resembling a mix of a mouse and a short-tailed rat. The absence of spines sets them apart from traditional hedgehogs, with a pointed muzzle and distinctive appearance.

H. macarong, characterized by dark brown fur and measuring 14 centimeters in length, derives its name from the Vietnamese word for vampire due to the males‘ long, fang-like incisors. The purpose of these fangs remains to be fully understood, but their size suggests a role in sexual selection. Additionally, male H. macarong exhibit a rusty-colored breast mark believed to be associated with scent glands.

On the other hand, H. vorax, slightly smaller than H. macarong at 12 centimeters in length, features dark brown fur, a jet black tail, and a narrow snout. This species is exclusively found on the slopes of Mount Leuser in North Sumatra and was named after mammologist Frederick Ulmer’s description of its distinctive behavior.

In addition to the two new species, the study also reclassified three subspecies of soft-furred hedgehogs as distinct species: H. dorsalalis, H. maxi, and H. peguensis. Previously considered subspecies of Hylomys suillus, these three species exhibit significant genetic and physical differences warranting their recognition as separate species.

H. dorsalalis, originating from the mountains of North Kalimantan, features a dark stripe running from the head to the back, while H. maxi, found in mountainous regions on the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra, measures 14 centimeters in length. H. peguensis, smaller at 13 centimeters, is commonly sighted in mainland Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar.

Melissa Hawkins, curator of mammals at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, and her collaborators collected a total of 232 physical specimens and 85 tissue samples for genetic analysis from the Hylomys group. This extensive research effort involved the examination of modern and historical museum specimens from 14 natural history collections across Asia, Europe, and America.

The discovery of these five new species of soft-furred porcupines underscores the importance of continued exploration and conservation efforts to protect the rich biodiversity of Southeast Asia. With ongoing research and collaboration among international experts, there is much to learn and discover about the diverse animal species inhabiting this region.