Tree shrews are small arboreal insectivorousmammalIn structure, it has the characteristics of both insectivores (with claws, primitive molars, etc.) and primates (large brain, small olfactory lobe, complete bone orbital ring, and slightly comparable thumb and other four fingers).There are 2 families, 5 genera and 20 species, all of which are distributed in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. They look like squirrels and their representative animals are tree shrews.
stayClassified statusUpper Bound to PrimitiveInsectivoresAnd originalprimatesBetweensquirrel。There are still different opinions on the taxonomic status of tree shrews.Some scholars classify it asInsectivoraSome scholars also put it into the primate order and thought it was the most primitive branch on the primate trunk.In recent years, tree shrews have been independently listed as tree shrews.Its structure has the characteristics of both insectivores (with claws instead of nails, and very primitive molars) and primates (large brain, small olfactory area, complete eye bone ring, and slightly opposable thumb and other four fingers).The tree shrew (Tupaia glis) is similar to a squirrel in body shape, but has a sharp and long snout;The tail hair is fluffy and opposite on both sides.The retroorbital process of the skull is developed, forming a complete orbital bone ring, which completely separates the eye socket and cheekbone (squirrels do not have a complete orbital bone ring).Daytime activities, arboreal life, insects for food.There is only one genus and one species in China, which are found in Yunnan, Hainan Island and Guangxi.Tree shrews are increasingly valued in zoology due to their intermediate position in evolution.In recent years, in medical biology research, the viscera of tree shrews are used for tissue culture, virus inoculation and other scientific research, and the results are very good, so it is called "the new star of experimental animals".
