Tooth Reduction in the Tundra Shrew

Abstract

It is well known that shrews are subject to striking skull variations, possibly more so than most mammals. Hooper (Jour. Mamm., 27:394, 1946) reported supernumerary teeth in Sorex saussurei as did Hibbard (Jour. Paleo., 27:21–32, 1953) in Blarina brevicauda. Jackson (N. A. F. No. 51:20, 1928) reported instances of reduction of tooth number in Sorex obscurus from Alaska. I would like to record an example of reduction in tooth number in a specimen of Sorex tundrensis from Alaska. This animal, a male, was taken between 20 November and 12 December 1955 in a cabin on the North Fork of the Huslia River at latitude 66°N., longitude 156°50′W., by Mr. R. A. Rausch of the Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit at the University of Alaska. I am indebted to Mr. Rausch for permission to report this specimen, which is now No. 816 in my collection and is destined for deposition in...