A trained collie discovered the De Winton's golden mole in South Africa, a species not seen since 1936. This marks the end of a years-long search for the elusive mole, once believed to be extinct.
Researchers, including senior field officer Esther Matthew from EWT and University of Pretoria collaborators, meticulously covered extensive dune habitats in a quest that resembled a "detective novel search." Its discovery beneath the sands of a beach showcases the resilience of nature and underscores the importance of persistent efforts in ecological research.
Rediscovery of the De Winton's Golden Mole and Hope for Conservation in 2023
The De Winton's golden mole has been evasive to detection for 86 years likely due to their behavior of navigating sand without leaving tunnels, utilizing a swimming motion. These unique features, combined with heightened sensitivity to vibrations, pose significant challenges in locating the elusive De Winton's golden mole.
Prompted by its decades-long elusiveness, a collaborative team, involving the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) and academic institutions, embarked on a determined effort. Using a two-pronged strategy, they trained sniffer dogs to detect indigenous mole species, uncovering unfamiliar tracks and burrows that signaled the presence of the golden mole.
The second approach involved environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, scrutinizing over 100 soil samples for genetic remnants, resulting in the discovery of a mysterious genetic signature alongside known mole species.
This unknown DNA, when compared with a gene sequence from a preserved museum specimen, provided unequivocal evidence of the De Winton's golden mole's continued existence in the sands of South Africa.
Cobus Theron, a senior conservation manager for EWT, expressed unwavering faith in the species' survival, emphasizing the importance of the right detection method, timing, and a dedicated team. The rediscovery signifies more than an exciting wildlife tale, serving as a beacon of hope in a conservation landscape often overshadowed by pessimism.
Theron celebrated the fantastic aspect of rediscovering species in 2023, challenging the prevailing narrative of doom and gloom in conservation stories. Since the 2021 study's completion, the EWT has identified four additional golden mole populations, underscoring the ongoing mysteries waiting to be unveiled in the natural world.
More About De Winton's Gold Mole
De Winton's golden mole (Cryptochloris wintoni), resembling Grant's golden mole (Eremitalpa granti) in appearance, features short, dense fur with a slate-grey hue and a yellowish tinge. The upper parts exhibit individual hairs with grey bases, whitish shafts, and fawn tips, while the face, cheeks, and lips present a more intense yellowish shade.
Weighing approximately 20 grams and measuring around 10 centimeters (4 inches) in length, this elusive mammal has a streamlined, cylindrical body, a wedge-shaped head, and powerful limbs equipped with specialized digging claws. Blind, like many underground dwellers, relies on heightened touch and vibration detection for navigation and hunting in its sandy habitat.
Known from a single location and unseen for decades, De Winton's golden mole shares its range with Grant's golden mole, leading to potential confusion. Despite the similar habitats, phylogenetic evidence, including skull differences, malleus shape, and vertebrae count, supports their classification as distinct species.
The type location is Port Nolloth, featuring coastal sand dunes and nearby sandy areas, but the species faces potential threats from diamond mining near its habitat.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature has designated it as "critically endangered," with concerns about its potential extinction. De Winton's golden mole is part of Global Wildlife Conservation's "Search for Lost Species" initiative, highlighting it as one of the 25 most wanted to lose species, raising awareness about its endangered status.
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