Afrosoricida

The order Afrosoricida (also known as Tenrecomorpha) contains two families of small mammals that are probably a part of the order Insectivora.

Traditionally, the golden moles of southern Africa and the tenrecs of Madagascar and Africa were grouped with the hedgehogs, shrews and moles in the Lipotyphla. However there have always been minority opinions suggesting that Tenrecomorpha, or at least the golden moles, are not true Lipotyphlans.

Some genetic evidence supports an association between Tenrecomorpha and various other African mammals known as Afrotheria.

• SUBCLASS EUTHERIA: placental mammals
  • Superorder Afrotheria
    • Order Afrosoricida
      • Family Chrysochloridae: golden moles; about 30 species in 10 genera
      • Family Tenrecidae: tenrecs and otter shrews; 24 species in about 10 genera
    • Order Macroscelidea: elephant shrews
    • Order Tubulidentata: Aardvark
    • Order Hyracoidea: hyraxes
    • Order Proboscidea: elephants
    • Order Sirenia: manatees and dugongs
  • (Other superorders, not listed here)