vs Medellín Small-eared Shrew

Chrysosphaerella longispina compared with Cryptotis medellinia

Key Differences

• is Not Evaluated while Medellín Small-eared Shrew is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank		Medellín Small-eared Shrew
Kingdom	Chromista (Chromista)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Ochrophyta (Ochrophyta)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Chrysophyceae (Chrysophyceae)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Ochromonadales (Ochromonadales)	Soricomorpha (Soricomorpha)
Family	Paraphysomonadaceae	Soricidae
Genus	Chrysosphaerella	Cryptotis
Species	Chrysosphaerella longispina	Cryptotis medellinia

Conservation Status

NE — Not Evaluated

Medellín Small-eared Shrew

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute		Medellín Small-eared Shrew
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Medellín Small-eared Shrew

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found in Colombia.

Chrysosphaerella longispina is a colonial chrysophyte alga in the genus Chrysosphaerella, notable for the long silica spines (longispina: Latin, long spine) that project from each cell in the colony. The genus is characterized by spherical or discoid colonies of photosynthetic cells that each secrete siliceous scales and elongated spine-like appendages, making Chrysosphaerella colonies distinctively bristled and visible under light microscopy. The long spines of C. longispina likely serve as anti-predation structures that make the colonies more difficult for zooplankton to ingest. C. longispina is found in cold, oligotrophic freshwater lakes, particularly in Scandinavia, where comprehensive chrysophyte surveys have documented its presence. Chrysosphaerella colonies contribute to freshwater primary production and the cycling of biogenic silica, which upon cell dissolution is deposited in lake sediments as microscopically identifiable remains. These silica structures are widely used by paleolimnologists to reconstruct past changes in lake water chemistry, thermal stratification, and climate. The conservation status of C. longispina has not been assessed by the IUCN; the species is listed as Not Evaluated.