of features, varying by species, seldom seen elsewhere among living mammals, including three forearm long-bones, hyoid-mandible articulation, and a hypertrophied malleus. Some species have hypertrophied (enlarged) middle ear ossicles, in particular the malleus. These animals have the largest malleus relative to body size of any animal. This morphology may be adapted for the detection of seismic signals. In this respect there is some apparent convergent evolution to burrowing reptiles in the family Amphisbaenidae. Reproduction Females give birth to one to three hairless young in a grass-lined nest within the burrow system. Breeding occurs throughout the year. The adults are solitary, and their burrowing territory may be aggressively defended from intruders, especially where resources are relatively scarce. Status Of the 21 species of golden mole, no fewer than 11 are threatened with extinction. The primary cause being human-induced habitat loss, additionally sand mining, poor agricultural practices, and predation by domestic cats and dogs are causes of population decline. Classification The taxonomy of the Chrysochloridae is undergoing a review in the light of new genetic information. They have traditionally been listed with the shrews, hedgehogs and a grab-bag of small, difficult-to-place creatures as part of the order Insectivora. Some authorities retain this classification, at least for the time being. Others group the golden moles with the tenrecs in a new order, which is sometimes known as Tenrecomorpha, while others call it Afrosoricida and reserve Tenrecomorpha for the family Tenrecidae. ORDER AFROSORICIDA Suborder Tenrecomorpha Family Tenrecidae: tenrecs, 34 species in 10 genera Suborder Chrysochloridea Family Chrysochloridae Subfamily Chrysochlorinae Genus Carpitalpa Arends's golden mole (Carpitalpa arendsi) Genus Chlorotalpa Duthie's golden mole (Chlorotalpa duthieae) Sclater's golden mole (Chlorotalpa sclateri) Genus Chrysochloris Subgenus Chrysochloris Cape golden mole (Chrysochloris asiatica) Visagie's golden mole (Chrysochloris visagiei) Subgenus Kilimatalpa Stuhlmann's golden mole (Chrysochloris stuhlmanni) Genus Chrysospalax Giant golden mole (Chrysospalax trevelyani) Rough-haired golden mole (Chrysospalax villosus) Genus Cryptochloris De Winton's golden mole (Cryptochloris wintoni) Van Zyl's golden mole (Cryptochloris zyli) Genus Eremitalpa Grant's golden mole (Eremitalpa granti) Subfamily Amblysominae Genus Amblysomus Fynbos golden mole (Amblysomus corriae) Hottentot golden mole (Amblysomus hottentotus) Marley's golden mole (Amblysomus marleyi) Robust golden mole (Amblysomus robustus) Highveld golden mole (Amblysomus septentrionalis) Genus Calcochloris Subgenus Calcochloris Yellow golden mole (Calcochloris obtusirostris) Subgenus incertae sedis Somali golden mole (Calcochloris tytonis) Genus Huetia Congo golden mole (Huetia leucorhina) Genus Neamblysomus Juliana's golden mole (Neamblysomus julianae) Gunning's golden mole (Neamblysomus gunningi) References Afrosoricida Extant Lutetian first appearances Taxa