The diversity of species in a given area at a given time is determined by its phylogeographic history and processes such as extinctions, colonizations, and introductions. Understanding this diversity requires integrating knowledge from disciplines such as biogeography, paleontology, zooarchaeology and historical ecology. This challenge becomes particularly complex when dealing with phylogenetically close species, with reserved habits and very similar morphologies, as is the case with white-toothed shrews (subfamily Crocidurinae). In this review, we compile and organize the existing information on this group of species in Spain and Portugal, paying special attention to the number of known species present and their origins.According to the most recent knowledge, there are currently seven species of white-toothed shrews in Spain and Portugal: one evolved in the Iberian Peninsula from Eurasian ancestors, Crocidura iculisma; one evolved in North Africa from African ancestors, Crocidura whitakeri; one evolved in the Canary Islands from an ancestor arriving from Africa, Crocidura canariensis; one arrived in the Peninsula from Africa during the Pleistocene, Crocidura russula; and three species whose accidental arrival occurred in historical times and was mediated by humans: Suncus etruscus, Crocidura gueldenstaedtii, and Crocidura pachyura. Additionally, S. etruscus and C. russula have recently been introduced to some of the islands.