Web-footed Tenrec
VU

Web-footed Tenrec

Microgale mergulus

Declining

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Web-footed Tenrec faces severe pressure from habitat degradation as Madagascar's freshwater ecosystems are increasingly polluted by agricultural runoff and sedimentation from deforestation. Its specialized semi-aquatic lifestyle makes it particularly vulnerable to water quality changes, while introduced predators like cats and dogs pose additional threats to remaining populations. The species' extremely limited range along select waterways in eastern Madagascar means that local habitat destruction can have disproportionate impacts on the entire population.

Threat summary

Habitat

Wetlands (inland)· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protection

Other threatened species in TENRECIDAE

Nasolo's Shrew TenrecVU

Nasolo's Shrew Tenrec

Microgale nasoloi

Declining
EN

Jenkins' Shrew Tenrec

Microgale jenkinsae

Declining
EN

Northern Shrew Tenrec

Microgale jobihely

Unknown
Montane Shrew TenrecVU

Montane Shrew Tenrec

Microgale monticola

Stable

Threatened in Madagascar

VU

Lepiota echinella

Unknown
EN

Montipora calcarea

Declining
CR

Malagasy Giant Jumping Rat

Hypogeomys antimena

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Web-footed Tenrec classified as Vulnerable?
Web-footed Tenrec is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Web-footed Tenrec faces severe pressure from habitat degradation as Madagascar's freshwater ecosystems are increasingly polluted by agricultural runoff and sedimentation from deforestation. Its specialized semi-aquatic lifestyle makes it particularly vulnerable to water quality changes, while introduced predators like cats and dogs pose additional threats to remaining populations. The species' extremely limited range along select waterways in eastern Madagascar means that local habitat destruction can have disproportionate impacts on the entire population.
Where does Web-footed Tenrec live?
Web-footed Tenrec occurs in Madagascar. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Web-footed Tenrec?
The main threats to Web-footed Tenrec are 2.1, 5.3, 5.4, and 9.3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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