Dinagat gymnure
The Dinagat gymnure is a species of mammal in the family Erinaceidae. It is endemic to the Philippines.
Taxonomy
Podogymnura aureospinula was first described in 1982 by Lawrence R. Heany and Gary S. Morgan, based on specimens collected on Dinagat in the previous decade. The type specimen was collected at Plaridel in Albor Municipality. The species name aureospinula means "golden spine", referring to the spine-like fur on the Dinagat gymnure's back. Genetic analysis suggests it is most closely related to ''P. intermedia.''Description
Compared to other members of the genus, the Dinagat gymnure is relatively large and robust, with the golden spine-like hairs for which it is named. The head and body length of the holotype is, with a tail.Habitat and conservation status
Endemic to the Philippines, the Dinagat gymnure has been found on the islands of Dinagat, Bucas Grande, and Siargao. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests. While it has been found in several different types of forest, including second-growth forest and in fragmented forest near farmland, it is not found completely separate from forest habitats.Due to its relatively limited range and the threat of significant habitat loss across that range, especially deforestation due to logging and mining, it is considered Endangered by the IUCN. The mammal is an evolutionary distinct and globally endangered species in the Philippines as identified by the Zoological Society of London in their EDGE species program, where it ranked 68th out of the thousands of mammal species known to humanity.