River shrew, an aquatic West African insectivore (Potamogale velox) resembling a weasel in form and size, but having a large flattened and crested tail adapted for rapid swimming.
Defn: Any small insectivoreof the genus Sorex and several allied genera of the family Sorecidæ.
Ameghino, of Buenos Aires, described from the Tertiary formation of Santa Cruz, in Patagonia, the remains of an insectivore under the name of Necrolestes.
Dr Ameghino expressed his belief that the extinct Patagonian insectivore was nearly related to the golden moles, and although this opinion appears to have been withdrawn, Professor W.
The feeding habits of these early insectivores were probably similar to those of contemporaryinsectivore species (moles and shrews); however, there is some evidence to suggest many of these small creatures may have been semi-arboreal.
Apatemys is an insectivoreof uncertain affinities.
Microgale, a genus recently instituted by Mr. Thomas, is a small furry Insectivore with a long tail, which is more than double the length of the head and body.
Potamogale velox is a West African animal, which though an Insectivore has the habits of an Otter.
