Micropotamogale

Micropotamogale^[1] is a genus of small, otter-like dwarf otter shrews native to riverine habitats of West African rainforests. They feed on aquatic animals and insects they can find and capture. They are afrotherian mammals most closely related to the tenrecs of Madagascar, but are not closely related to shrews or otters.^[2]

Micropotamogale
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Afrosoricida
Suborder:	Tenrecomorpha
Family:	Potamogalidae
Genus:	Micropotamogale Balsac, 1954
Type species
Micropotamogale lamottei Balsac, 1954
Species
Micropotamogale ruwenzorii Micropotamogale lamottei

Two species are recognized:

• Ruwenzori otter shrew (Micropotamogale ruwenzorii)
• Nimba otter shrew (Micropotamogale lamottei)

Conservation

The Ruwenzori otter shrew is considered to be of least concern, while the Nimba otter shrew is classified as vulnerable by the IUCN.