|
|
- ITSES - |
Eurasian Insectivores and Tree Shrews:
Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan
Published 1995
Soriculus caudatus| S. fumidus | S. hypsibius| S. lamula | S. leucops | S. macrurus | S. nigrescens| S. parca | S. salenskii | S. smithi
GENUS SORICULUS-
Return to Top of Page | Table
of contents
This genus, comprising 10 species (Hoffmann, 1986) is represented in Bhutan, northern India, Sikkim, Nepal, China, northern Myanmar, Tonkin (Vietnam) and Taiwan. These species inhabit mainly damp areas in forest but may also frequent thickets. The length of the body varies from about 53-96mm and the length of the tail is 38-120mm. The coloration is reddish-brown, dark brown, greyish or blackish; the under parts are usually somewhat paler. The fur is dense and soft.
Hodgson's brown-toothed shrew (Soriculus
caudatus) - Return to Top of
Page | Table of contents
Taxonomy: Sorex caudatus Horsfield 1851. Corbet (1992) notes that slight variation occurs in this species; two subspecies have been proposed: S. c. umbrinus (a small, dark form) from Yunnan and S.c. soluensis (a small form with a long rostrum) from East Nepal.
IUCN Category of Threat: Lower Risk (subcategory Least Concern).
Description: Head and body length ranges from 61-69mm, with a tail length of 48-56 mm.
Distribution: Kashmir to North Myanmar; also known from Yunnan and Sichuan (China) at altitudes of 1800-3600m.
Habitat: A common shrew at the edges of rhododendron and coniferous forests; also found on alpine meadows in Central Nepal (Abe, pers. comm.).
Ecology and behaviour: The ecology of this species in the wild is poorly known.
Taiwan brown-toothed shrew (Soriculus
fumidus) - Return to Top of
Page | Table of contents
Taxonomy: Soriculus fumidus Thomas 1913. The form sodalis has been considered a synonym, but recent specimens suggest that it is probably a distinct species (Corbet, 1992; A. Wu, pers. comm. to R. Hoffmann).
IUCN Category of Threat: Lower Risk (subcategory Least Concern).
Description: This species is larger than S. caudatus with a relatively shorter tail. Morphological identification may be based on its short, narrow rostrom, and a mandible with long angular and coronoid processes.
Distribution: This species is endemic to Taiwan.
Habitat: According to Jameson and Jones (1977), this species is widely distributed in the temperate montane forests of Taiwan, extending upwards into the dwarf bamboo zone. It has been recorded at an altitude of 1000-3200 m.
Ecology and behaviour: No information available.
De Winton's shrew (Soriculus hypsibius) - Return to Top of Page | Table of contents
Taxonomy: Soriculus hypsibius de Winton 1899.
IUCN Category of Threat: Lower Risk (subcategory Least Concern).
Description: This species is only slightly larger than S. caudatus with a tail length usually less than that of the head and body combined. Morphological differences are reported in Hoffmann (1986).
Distribution: This species is restricted to two disjunct areas in China - Sichuan and South Shaanxi (Qinling Shan) - and Hebei.
Habitat: Montane forest.
Ecology and behaviour: The ecology of this species in the wild
is not known. Hoffmann (loc. cit.) points out that the ecological relationships
of this species with S. caudatus would be of interest given their
similar body sizes and proportions. Soriculus hypsibius appears
not to occur at localities where S. caudatus is found, but this
needs verification.
Soriculus lamula - Return to Top of Page | Table of contents
Taxonomy: Soriculus lamula Thomas 1912. The Yunnan form, parva is slightly smaller and darker than those in Sichuan and Gansu. Considered a subspecies of S. hypsibius by Corbet (1978), but see Hoffmann (1986).
IUCN Category of Threat: Lower Risk (subcategory Least Concern).
Description: A small long-tailed shrew which is not well described in literature.
Distribution: This species has been recorded from northwest Yunnan, Central Sichuan and South Gansu, China at about 2000-3000m. A single specimen has also been recorded from Fujian (south-east China). S. lamula is sympatric with S. hypsibius in several parts of Sichuan (Hoffmann, 1986).
Habitat: The preferred habitat of this species is unknown.
Ecology and behaviour: No information available. The ecological
relationships between S. lamula, S. hypsibius and S. caudatus
are not known, but should be investigated.
Indian long-tailed shrew (Soriculus leucops) - Return to Top of Page | Table of contents
Taxonomy: Soriculus leucops Horsfield 1855. Includes baileyi and gruberi, considered distinct by some authors.
IUCN Category of Threat: Lower Risk (subcategory Least Concern).
Description: A long-tailed shrew with a head and body length of 66 mm and a tail length of about 86 mm.
Distribution: This species has been recorded from Central Nepal to North Myanmar, south-west Yunnan (China) and North Vietnam at altitudes of up to 2900 m (in Myanmar).
Habitat: In Nepal this species occurs in evergreen broadleaved forests at the lower temperate zone.
Ecology and behaviour: Unknown.
Arboreal brown-toothed shrew (Soriculus macrurus) - Return to Top of Page | Table of contents
Taxonomy: Soriculus macrurus Blanford 1888. Formerly confused with S. leucops, but shown to be distinct by Hoffmann (1986).
IUCN Category of Threat: Lower Risk (subcategory Least Concern).
Description: A relatively large shrew with a head and body length of about 82 mm and tail length of 76 mm.
Distribution: The range of this species extends from Central Nepal to Sikkim, from north-west Myanmar and West and South Yunnan (China) to Sichuan (China) and North Vietnam.
Habitat: An uncommon species which, in Nepal, is found in wet habitats with dwarf bamboo, scrub and grasses in the temperate zone (Abe, pers. comm.).
Ecology and behaviour: No information available.
Sikkim large-clawed shrew (Soriculus nigrescens) - Return to Top of Page | Table of contents
Taxonomy: Soriculus nigrescens Gray 1842. The following subspecies (and ranges) have been suggested: S.n. nigrescens (Himalayas); S.n. pahari (Gnatong, Sikkim); S.n. caurinus (Khati, Kuman, India); S.n. centralis (Bouzini, Nepal) and S.n. radulus (Myanmar) (Corbet, 1992).
IUCN Category of Threat: Lower Risk (subcategory Least Concern).
Description: A large shrew with a relatively short tail; head and body length ranges from 91-106mm, tail length from 35-47mm. Large feet and claws.
Distribution: The range of S. nigrescens extends through the Himalayas, from Kumaon (northern India) east through Nepal and Bhutan to Tibet and North Myanmar, at altitudes of 1560-4300m.
Habitat: Broadleaf and coniferous forests.
Ecology and behaviour: A semi-fossorial species feeding on insects
and earthworms obtained from the leaf litter and humus layer. In Nepal,
females with 5-9 embryos have been found during the breeding season April
to June (Abe, 1971). This species is often syntopic with other shrews (Abe,
pers. comm.).
Soriculus parca - Return to Top of Page | Table of contents
Taxonomy: Soriculus parca Allen 1923. Considered a subspecies of S. salenskii by Lekagul and McNeely (1977), but see Hoffmann (1986). Includes lowei and furva (Hoffmann, 1986)
IUCN Category of Threat: Lower Risk (subcategory Least Concern).
Description: A medium-sized long-tailed shrew, with a head-body length of 66-74 mm and a tail length of 74-95 mm.
Distribution: Southern Sichuan to north-west Yunnan (China), north-east Myanmar, northern Thailand and North Vietnam at altitudes up to 2700 m.
Habitat: Ranges from 1220~2750 m; reported from under rocks and logs, frequently near streams.
Ecology and behaviour: Unknown.
Salenski's shrew (Soriculus salenskii) - Return to Top of Page | Table of contents
Taxonomy: Soriculus salenskii Kastschenko 1907.
IUCN Category of Threat: Critically Endangered (Bl and 2c).
Description: Fine soft fur, black at the base with grey tips. Darker coloration on the rump, with paler underside. Ears are blackish-brown. Long facial vibrissae.
Distribution: This species is only known from the type locality
in northern Sichuan, China.
Smith's shrew (Soriculus smithi) - Return to Top of Page | Table of contents
Taxonomy: Soriculus smithii Thomas 191 1. Considered a subspecies of S. salenskii by Lekagul and McNeely (1977), but see Hoffmann (1986).
IUCN Category of Threat: Lower Risk (subcategory Least Concern).
Description: A large, long-tailed shrew with a headbody length range of 72-96 mm and a tail length of 92-108 mm.
Distribution: Central Sichuan and Qinling Mountains, South Shaanxi, China. Possibly conspecific with the little known Soriculus salenskii.
Habitat: The preferred habitat of this species is not known.
Ecology and behaviour: No information available.