A review of the systematics and distribution of Asiatic short-tailed shrews, genus Blarinella (Mammalia: Soricidae)

Abstract

Summary The systematics and distribution of Asiatic short-tailed shrews (genus Blarinella ) are confused. In this study, a taxonomic revision of Blarinella is presented. We investigated a sample of 98 specimens, 84 of which had complete skulls that were subjected to multivariate and univariate analyses. The results show that three species of Blarinella can be recognized. The species Blarinella quadraticauda occurs in Baoxin, Wenchuan, Daofu, and other localities in western Sichuan. Blarinella griselda and B. wardi , usually placed as subspecies of B. quadraticauda , are recognized as two valid species. The former has a wide distribution from southern Gansu to southern Yunnan, and northwestern Yunnan to northwestern Hubei. The latter is restricted in northern Burma and northwestern Yunnan. The range of B. quadraticauda does not overlap that of B. wardi , while the range of B. griselda partially overlaps that of B.wardi and probably includes the entire range of B. quadraticauda .