Moles are subject to predation primarily from birds of prey and domestic pets (Schütze, 2002)
Known Predators:
Anti-predator Adaptations: cryptic
All golden moles are highly autapomorphous, and accordingly Juliana's golden moles share similar morphological traits with other golden moles. These include an absence of an external scrotum, a cloaca, three long bones in the forearms and bones around the occipital area of the skull called tabulars. Juliana's golden moles are unlike other Golden moles in that it does not have a greatly enlarged middle ear ossicle, or malleus, although it is still proportionally larger than that of other mammals (Asher et al, 2010). They are also smaller than other members of their family, with an average length of 100 mm and weight of 35 g.
Juliana's golden moles are adapted to a fossorial life style, with one of their four claws on their forefeet being large and well developed, while their hind feet are webbed for pushing sand and soil behind and retain five toes. They have a hard keratinous nose and streamlined, torpedo like body which aid them in moving through sediment. The eyes and ears are not visible but are instead covered in fur, making the mole impervious to sand and soil (Stuart, 2001). Their fur itself is a light brown, getting lighter around the flanks and nose (Jackson, 2007).
Juliana's golden moles have a dental formula of 3/3, 1/1, 3/2, 2/2,and their molars are zalambodont, although the population in Kruger national park has a third lower molar, which has led some to believe they are a seperate sub-population (Bronner, 1990). They have a wedge shaped skull and disproportionately long dentary bones which help to give it its torpedo like shape (Asher and Avery, 2010).
Range mass: 21 to 46 g.
Average mass: 35 g.
Average length: 100 mm.
Sexual Dimorphism: male larger
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
The life span of Juliana’s golden moles is not known.
Juliana's golden moles are fossorial in bushveld regions of South Africa, and are often found near large ridges (Jackson, 2008). They have a patchy distribution and small range due to their habitat specificity, only occurring in areas where the soil is sandy and of different particle sizes. These properties give less resistance for tunneling and reduce susceptibility to compaction (Jackson, 2008).
Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland
Little is known about the means of communication in Juliana’s golden moles. As they cannot see, visual communication can be ruled out. The slightly enlarged middle ear ossicle is thought to be used to detect vibrations from prey, as the moles move very directly towards prey on the surface underground. It is possible that they can also utilize their sensitivity toward vibrations as a means of communication, and foot stomping to cause vibrations has been observed in other closely related species. Many other closely related species use of high pitched chirrups during courtship.
Communication Channels: acoustic
Other Communication Modes: vibrations
Perception Channels: tactile ; acoustic ; vibrations ; chemical
Juliana’s golden moles are classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and they are listed as the third most endangered animal in South Africa. Since their discovery in 1972, there has been an estimated 80% drop in their population. They are found in only three sub-populations with little genetic mixing, so the mole is highly susceptible to environmental changes. Habitat is under threat from urban development and agricultural practices (IUCN Red List, Bronner, 2012). Soil compaction can significantly hinder the moles movement and destroy burrows. Global warming patterns predict higher temperatures and lower levels of precipitation in the range of Juliana’s golden moles, which would cause soils to dry and harden, essentially immobilizing them.
There appear to be no negative effects implicated by the moles toward humans.
It is likely that Juliana’s golden moles are important in the maintenance of healthy soils, which is important for agriculture (although agricultural practices are a major threat to the mole). They may also be important in pest control. This benefits humans gardening endeavors and Juliana’s golden moles can help protect plants from insect pests.
Positive Impacts: controls pest population
Although the ecological roles of Juliana’s golden moles are not fully understood, they are important, like many fossorial mammals, in biopedturbation. The digging and maintenance of tunnels and burrows increase soil porosity which leads to higher rates of aeration, water drainage and nutrient cycling. Chambers in which the mole defecates add small areas rich in nutrients (Walter, 1999). These roles are important for vegetation, especially in dry, nutriet poor soils. Juliana’s golden moles may also be important in controlling insect populations, as their diets are largely insects and their larvae.
Ecosystem Impact: soil aeration
Juliana’s golden moles eat earthworms, but are primarily insectivores. They will eat a variety of insects including many grasshoppers and beetle larvae. The mainstay of their diet are invertebrates captured underground. However, they may capture their prey above ground and consumes it below, holding it in its forefeet whilst they feeds (Skinner and Chimimba, 2005. Schütze, 2002) Many closely related species disable insects with a bite and caching them in burrows.
Animal Foods: insects; terrestrial worms
Foraging Behavior: stores or caches food
Primary Diet: carnivore (Insectivore , Vermivore)
Juliana's golden moles are native and endemic to South Africa. They have a limited range surrounding Pretoria, and has thus far been found in only three regions; Bronberg Ridge, Nylsvley nature reserve and Kruger National park (Jackson, 2011). It should be noted that the recorded distribution may be due to lack of data, and the range of Juliana's golden moles may be wider.
Biogeographic Regions: ethiopian (Native )
Little is known about mating habits, but in all other studied Golden moles males often force females to mate. The larger size in males may suggest that this is also the case for Juliana’s golden mole.
Mating System: polygynandrous (promiscuous)
Juliana’s golden moles are aseasonal in terms of reproduction, but higher rates of breeding occur in the rainy season. Low rates of reproduction have been observed. Their gestation period is not known.
Breeding interval: Although reproduction is aseasonal, it seems to occur more frequently in the wet season.
Breeding season: Mating may occur throughout the year.
Range number of offspring: 1 to 2.
Key Reproductive Features: year-round breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; viviparous
Juliana’s golden moles have 1 to 2 cubs at a time. Young are born naked and atricial, and are weaned by the mother in bare nesting chambers that are linked to tunnel networks. Once weaned the cubs are forced from the burrow and must become independent.
Parental Investment: altricial ; female parental care ; pre-fertilization (Protecting: Female)
Juliana's golden mole (Neamblysomus julianae) is a golden mole endemic to South Africa. It is listed as an endangered species due to habitat loss and a restricted range. Golden moles are an ancient group of mammals that live mostly below ground. The eponymous Juliana is Juliana Meester, the wife of the South African zoologist who named this species.[2]
They have shiny coats of dense fur and a streamlined, formless appearance. They have no visible eyes or ears; in fact, they are blind - the small eyes are covered with hairy skin. The ears are small and are hidden in the animal's fur. Juliana's golden mole weighs 21–75 g (0.74–2.65 oz).[3]
It is confined to sandy soils, often pockets along weathered rocky ridges of quartzite or granite. It is also common in well-irrigated gardens. Usually two young are born, sometimes one. Golden moles eat invertebrates such as insects, earthworms and snails. Their young are born in a grass-lined cavity in the ground. Golden moles usually dig their tunnels just below the surface of the ground. The main feeding activity is in the late afternoon and at night. They exhibit torpor daily during the morning and early afternoon.[3]
Juliana's golden mole is found in Pretoria (Gauteng), Nylstroom (Limpopo Province) and Kruger National Park (Mpumalanga), South Africa. Where it occurs, Juliana's golden mole can be locally common. However, its occurrence is extremely patchy within its limited geographic range. There are no data on population size. The population on Bronberg Ridge, Pretoria East, is severely affected by ongoing intensive urbanization and a mining operation, and it is considered to be critically endangered. The Nylsvley population in Limpopo occurs in farmlands (adjoining the Nylsvley Nature Reserve) that are subject to habitat alteration and potential degradation. Another threat is habitat fragmentation which causes obstruction to animal movement; this results in in-breeding which increases the possible risk of extinction. The International Union for Conservation of Nature now rates this species as "endangered".[1]
Juliana's golden mole (Neamblysomus julianae) is a golden mole endemic to South Africa. It is listed as an endangered species due to habitat loss and a restricted range. Golden moles are an ancient group of mammals that live mostly below ground. The eponymous Juliana is Juliana Meester, the wife of the South African zoologist who named this species.
