Classification of Talpa (Mole)
- Phylum :- Chordata (Dorsal tubular nerve cord, notochord and gill-slits present.)
- Group :- Craniata (Definite head, Cranium with brain present.)
- Sub phylum :- Vertebrata (Vertebral column present.)
- Division :- Gnathostomata (Jaws and paired appendages present.)
- Super Class :- Tetrapoda (Paired limbs, lungs, cornified skin and bony skeleton.)
- Class :- Mammalia (Body covered with hairs. Females have mammary glands.)
- Sub Class :- Theria (Viviparous mammals.)
- Infra Class :- Eutheria (Placental mammals. Vagina single.)
- Order :- Insectivora (Feed on insects.)
- Genus :- Talpa (Mole)
Geographical distribution
Talpa is found in India (Assam) and the western Himalayas. Cretaceous to Recent.
Habit and habitat
- It is adapted for subterranean burrowing and lives in tunnels. It feeds on small worms, insects and sprouted seeds. It runs deeper into tunnels
General Characteristics of Talpa (Mole)
- Commonly called as mole.
- Pigmentation is uniformly velvet-black, with a silver-grey glossy texture.
- Body measuring 15 cm in length, divided into head, short neck, trunk or back and abdomen.
- Head wedge-shaped. Snout elongated having prenasal bone. Snout contains bristles or vibrisae at the tip.
- Eyes are very much reduced and covered with skin. External ears (pinnae) absent.
- Tail is short, sensory and without hair. Tail and feet are fleshy white.
- Hind limb large and broad containing 5 digits, each having broad nail, used for digging.
- Forelimb usually with 5 clawed-toes; inner toes not opposable.
- No marsupial pouch. Single vagina. Foetus develops within the body of female attached by a placenta to wall of uterus.
Special Features
- It represents a primitive Eutherian having small cranial cavity, low grade brain (smooth cerebral hemispheres), inguinal testes, discoidal and deciduate placenta with provision for yolk sac placenta.
Identification
- Since this mammal has elongated snout, wedge-shaped head and above features, hence it is Talpa.
