A new mouse-like species of mammal discovered in the remote deserts of southwestern Africa is found to share more of its DNA with elephants, sea cows, and aardvarks than mice or true shrews.

Researchers from the California Academy of Sciences discovered the new species of elephant shrew or ’round-eared sengi’, with their findings published in the Journal of Mammalogy.

‘Macroscelides micus’ has rust-coloured fur for camouflage in the red Namib Desert and a long snout or ‘trunk’, which it uses like an aardvark to sweep the floor and search for ants to eat. Weighing only 29g and measuring 19cm, the species is also significantly smaller than other elephant shrews previously discovered.

They were also found to have a large, hairless subcaudal ‘scent’ gland on the underside of the tail, and lacked the dark skin pigment of other sengi.

Genetic analysis showed clear differences and no evidence of cross-breeding with other species of elephant shrew, leading the researchers to conclude that Macroscelides micus is reproductively isolated.

One of the researchers that made the discovery, Dr Jack Dumbacher, said in a statement:

“Genetically, Macroscelides micus is very different from other members of the genus and it’s exciting to think that there are still areas of the world where even the mammal fauna is unknown and waiting to be explored.”