Researchers have discovered five new species of soft-furred hedgehogs in Southeast Asia. The animals belong to the genus Hylomys of the Hymnur subfamily of the hedgehog family. Previously, only two species were known, and with the new discovery, the number of these species increased to seven.

The two new species were discovered after analyzing samples collected during fieldwork and from museum collections dating back decades. Three that had previously been classified as subspecies turned out to be more distinct and were therefore elevated to the level of separate species.

At first glance, the miniature mammals look the same and resemble mice, but researchers found significant differences in genes as well as some differences in head and figure shapes, according to Melissa Hawkins, principal investigator at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. teeth You can read more about the research in the article published in the journal. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.