Shrew Species Research Articles

Prevalence, toxinotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility and biofilm-forming ability of Clostridium perfringens isolated from free-living rodents and shrews

Background and objectivesClostridium perfringens (C. perfringens), is a spore-forming and toxin-producing pathogenic Gram-positive rod-shaped bacterium with immense public health/zoonotic concern. Rodents are well-known reservoirs and vectors for a large number of zoonoses and strong links have been recognized between synanthropic rodents and foodborne disease outbreaks throughout the world. To date, no study has been conducted for studying the prevalence of C. perfringens in rodents and shrews. In this study, we investigated faecal samples from free-living rodents and shrews trapped in Meghalaya, a North-eastern hill state of India for the presence of virulent and antimicrobial-resistant C. perfringens. MethodsA total of 122 animals comprising six species of rodents and one species of shrews were trapped: Mus musculus (n = 15), Mus booduga (n = 7), Rattus rattus (n = 9), Rattus norvegicus (n = 3), Bandicota indica (n = 30), Bandicota bengalensis (n = 32) and Suncus murinus (n = 26). The faecal swabs were collected and processed for the isolation of C. perfringens. Toxinotyping was done using PCR. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and biofilm forming ability testing were done using Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method and crystal violet assay. ResultsC. perfringens was isolated from 27 of the 122 faecal swabs (22.1%), from six species of rodents and shrews. Five of the host species were rodents, Bandicota bengalensis (25%), Bandicota indica (16.7%), Rattus norvegicus (33.3%), Mus musculus (13.3%), Mus booduga (42.8%) and Suncus murinus (shrew) (29.6%). The common toxinotype was type A (59.2%) followed by Type A with beta2 toxin (33.3%), Type C (3.7%) and Type C with beta2 toxin (3.7%). None of the isolates harboured cpe, etx, iap, and NetB genes and therefore none was typed as either B, D, E, F, or G. Nine isolates (33.3%) turned out to be multi-drug resistant (MDR), displaying resistance to three or more categories of antibiotics tested. Twenty-three out of twenty-seven isolates (85.2%) were forming biofilms. ConclusionGlobally, this is the first study to report the prevalence of C. perfringens and its virulence profile and antimicrobial resistance in free-living rodents and shrews. The rodents and shrews can potentially contaminate the food and environment and can infect humans and livestock with multi-drug resistant/virulent Type A and Type C C. perfringens.

Repellent effect of synanthropic house mouse urine odor on small forest mammals.

In this study, we examined the effect of synanthropic house mouse (Mus musculus) urine odor on catching probability of small mammals to live traps. We conducted a series of field experiments in August 2016 and 2017 in a natural forests of the northwestern Moscow Region (Russia). Small mammals were trapped at two 4-ha fields using capture-mark-recapture technique by setting 200 live traps (100 points, 2 traps per point) within each field. One trap in each pair was odorless (control) with bait only, whereas the other one was odor-baited with 20 μL of the urine of a synanthropic house mouse. Further analysis was based on the data collected from 2 rodent species (bank vole Myodes glareolus, herb field mouse Apodemus uralensis) and 3 shrew species (common shrew Sorex araneus, Laxmann's shrew Sorex caecutiens, and Eurasian pygmy shrew Sorex minutus). As a result, only bank voles significantly avoided odor-baited live traps. Using generalized linear mixed models, we showed that the choice of a trap by bank voles depended on their age, whereas the probability of repeated capture to a certain live trap was related to their prior experience. We discuss the possible role of components of synanthropic house mouse urine in the population management of exoanthropic small mammals.

Results of a small terrestrial mammal survey in the remote Boé region of Guinea‐Bissau, with discovery of two new shrew records for the country

AbstractThe Boé region in the south‐east of Guinea‐Bissau has remained untouched by large‐scale human influence and development due to its isolated location. The region consists mainly of savannah interspersed with gallery forests and hosts a unique and valuable biodiversity though very little is known of small terrestrial mammal diversity. In 2013, a terrestrial small mammal live trapping survey was conducted around Béli, a small village in the South of the Boé region. Five survey locations of three ecotypes were selected, and a combination of pitfall traps and live traps was used to capture and release small mammals. A selection of mammals that could not be identified as well as accidental mortalities in the traps were collected as voucher specimens and sent to Naturalis Biodiversity Center in the Netherlands. Over 96 survey days, a total of 331 small terrestrial mammals were trapped from 21 unique species, which include two new species records for the country: shrew species Crocidura lamottei and Crocidura crossei. Extrapolation from species accumulation curves suggested an overall species richness of 22 species for the region, with substantial differences in community composition among sampled habitats. The results of this study are an important part of the scientific record for small terrestrial mammals in the Boé region and set a baseline reference for future conservation efforts.

Incongruences between morphology and molecular phylogeny provide an insight into the diversification of the Crocidura poensis species complex

Untangling the factors of morphological evolution has long held a central role in the study of evolutionary biology. Extant speciose clades that have only recently diverged are ideal study subjects, as they allow the examination of rapid morphological variation in a phylogenetic context, providing insights into a clade’s evolution. Here, we focus on skull morphological variability in a widely distributed shrew species complex, the Crocidura poensis species complex. The relative effects of taxonomy, size, geography, climate and habitat on skull form were tested, as well as the presence of a phylogenetic signal. Taxonomy was the best predictor of skull size and shape, but surprisingly both size and shape exhibited no significant phylogenetic signal. This paper describes one of the few cases within a mammal clade where morphological evolution does not match the phylogeny. The second strongest predictor for shape variation was size, emphasizing that allometry can represent an easily accessed source of morphological variability within complexes of cryptic species. Taking into account species relatedness, habitat preferences, geographical distribution and differences in skull form, our results lean in favor of a parapatric speciation model within this complex of species, where divergence occurred along an ecological gradient, rather than a geographic barrier.

Taxonomy and conservation of the critically endangered shrew Cryptotis nelsoni (Eulipotyphla: Soricidae), endemic to Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, México

Abstract The Nelson’s small-eared shrew (Cryptotis nelsoni) is a mammal at high risk of extinction and endemic to the cloud forest in the mountains of Los Tuxtlas, an isolated volcanic field in eastern México. It is a little-known species that remained unrecorded for over a century. However, recent works have increased the number of museum specimens and tissue samples of C. nelsoni, which we studied here to improve our knowledge of their taxonomy and conservation status. We compared the morphology and DNA barcode sequences of C. nelsoni against its three most closely related species. We also evaluated the possible effect of anthropogenic climate change on this mountain species according to three general circulation models and two scenarios proposed for the year 2050. The results showed that the skull and postcranial variables could easily discriminate C. nelsoni from the other species in terms of body size, to which some distinctive qualitative characteristics related to the width of the snout and the curvature of the humerus also contribute. DNA barcoding also helped identify the shrew species accurately, with a genetic distance of more than 6% from its closest species. The morphological and genetic characteristics highlight the evolutionary distinctiveness of C. nelsoni. Unfortunately, warmer extremes and higher rainfall than today could pose a severe threat to the survival of this shrew for decades to come, even in the most optimistic scenarios.

A new, widespread venomous mammal species: hemolytic activity of Sorex araneus venom is similar to that of Neomys fodiens venom

BackgroundVenom production has evolved independently many times in the animal kingdom, although it is rare among mammals. Venomous shrews produce toxins in their salivary glands and use their venoms to hunt and store prey. Thus far, the toxicity and composition of shrew venoms have been studied only in two shrew species: the northern short-tailed shrew, Blarina brevicauda, and the Eurasian water shrew, Neomys fodiens. Venom of N. fodiens has potent paralytic activity which enables hunting and storing prey in a comatose state. Here, we assayed the hemolytic effects of extracts from salivary glands of N. fodiens and the common shrew, Sorex araneus, in erythrocytes of Pelophylax sp. frogs. We identified toxins in shrew venom by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry.ResultsOur results prove, confirming a suggestion made four centuries ago, that S. araneus is venomous. We also provide the first experimental evidence that shrew venoms produce potent hemolysis in frog erythrocytes. We found significant concentration-dependent effects of venoms of N. fodiens and S. araneus on hemolysis of red blood cells evaluated as hemoglobin release. Treatment of erythrocytes with N. fodiens venom at concentrations of 1.0 and 0.5 mg/ml and with S. araneus venom at concentration of 1.0 mg/ml caused an increased release of hemoglobin. Our findings confirm that hemolytic effects of N. fodiens venom are stronger than those produced by S. araneus venom. We identified four toxins in the venom of N. fodiens: proenkephalin, phospholipase A2 (PLA2), a disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein (ADAM) and lysozyme C, as well as a non-toxic hyaluronidase. In the venom of S. araneus we found five toxins: proenkephalin, kallikrein 1-related peptidase, beta-defensin, ADAM and lysozyme C. PLA2 and ADAMs are likely to produce hemolysis in frog erythrocytes.ConclusionsOur results clearly show that shrew venoms possess hemolytic action that may allow them to hunt larger prey. Since a member of the numerous genus Sorex is venomous, it is likely that venom production among shrews and other eulipotyphlans may be more widespread than it has previously been assumed.

A Decade-Long Change in the Elevational Distribution of Non-Volant Small Mammals on Mount Meru, Tanzania

Understanding species distribution across elevational gradients is crucial for developing conservation strategies for montane biotic systems. A survey of small mammals was conducted on Mount Meru at six elevations, ranging between 1500 m and 3650 m. A total of 803 small mammal individuals, including 2 shrew species and 13 rodent species, were documented. Of these, Crocidura newmarki and Lophuromys verhageni were endemic on Mount Meru. Species richness was highest at mid–elevations, which is in line with the global pattern for small mammals. Prior to our study, the most complete data on small mammals on Mount Meru was collected in 2009. Our study provides an opportunity to show how small mammal elevational distribution has changed, over the last decade. We found six species (Arvicanthis niloticus, Mastomys natalensis, Lemniscomys striatus, Dasymys incomtus, Cricetomys ansorgei, and Montemys delectorum), which were not documented in 2009, but did not find Otomys tropicalis. Interestingly, the community composition at higher elevations in 2021 resembles that at lower elevations in 2009, suggesting that small mammal species have moved their range upward over time. Climate change could be a factor associated with the distributional shift found.

Long-distance dispersal of two species of shrews (Sorex caecutiens Laxmann, 1788 and Sorex minutus Linnaeus, 1766)

Abstract Data on the dispersal of shrews are still rare, and for some species of Soricidae these are not available at all. Group marking with bait containing rhodamine B was used to study the dispersal of two species of shrews – Laxmann’s shrew (Sorex caecutiens) and pygmy shrew (Sorex minutus) in the Middle Urals (Russia). Twelve Laxmann’s shrews moved straight-line distances ranging from 80 to 4500 m. Five pygmy shrews dispersed from 475 to 2570 m. The are first field data obtained on dispersal distances of the pygmy shrew. The reported dispersal distances of the Laxmann`s shrew are the maximum known for this species.

Urban populations of shrews show larger behavioural differences among individuals than rural populations

Urban environments differ in many aspects from natural or rural ones and thus pose challenges for many animal species. Some of these challenges have been connected to the observation that urban individuals of many animal taxa are bolder and more aggressive than their rural conspecifics. Apart from average behavioural differences between rural and urban populations, the variation of such behaviours within these populations may differ, enabling them to deal with the spatially and temporally heterogeneous habitats within cities. Here we tested average differences in behaviour as well as the components of variation in these behaviours in rural and urban populations of shrews. We chose two shrew species which differ in life history and time since synurbanization: the fast-paced Sorex araneus and the slow-paced Crocidura russula. We conducted repeated tests of boldness and aggression on 86 shrews. As predicted, urban shrews of both species were bolder than rural ones, although not more aggressive. Additionally, urban populations showed higher among-individual variation in both boldness and aggression, that is, urban individuals differed more from each other in their behaviour than rural individuals, independent of any within-individual variation. All differences were smaller in S. araneus than C. russula, possibly due to their generally bolder behaviour and shorter time since synurbanization. Large behavioural differences among the individuals of urban populations might allow them to better cope with the various and constantly changing challenges of city life for animals.

Anatomy of the heart with the highest heart rate.

Shrews occupy the lower extreme of the seven orders of magnitude mammals range in size. Their hearts are large relative to body weight and heart rate can exceed a thousand beats a minute. It is not known whether traits typical of mammal hearts scale to these extremes. We assessed the heart of three species of shrew (genus Sorex) following the sequential segmental analysis developed for human hearts. Using micro‐computed tomography, we describe the overall structure and find, in agreement with previous studies, a large and elongate ventricle. The atrial and ventricular septums and the atrioventricular (AV) and arterial valves are typically mammalian. The ventricular walls comprise mostly compact myocardium and especially the right ventricle has few trabeculations on the luminal side. A developmental process of compaction is thought to reduce trabeculations in mammals, but in embryonic shrews the volume of trabeculations increase for every gestational stage, only slower than the compact volume. By expression of Hcn4, we identify a sinus node and an AV conduction axis which is continuous with the ventricular septal crest. Outstanding traits include pulmonary venous sleeve myocardium that reaches farther into the lungs than in any other mammals. Typical proportions of coronary arteries‐to‐aorta do not scale and the shrew coronary arteries are proportionally enormous, presumably to avoid the high resistance to blood flow of narrow vessels. In conclusion, most cardiac traits do scale to the miniscule shrews. The shrew heart, nevertheless, stands out by its relative size, elongation, proportionally large coronary vessels, and extent of pulmonary venous myocardium.

A snapshot of rodents and shrews of agroecosystems in Ethiopian highlands using camera traps

Abstract Considering climate change and high population increase, the conversion of natural habitats into arable land is rising at an alarming rate in the Ethiopian highlands. The impact on the diversity of rodents and shrews is difficult to measure since historical data are often unavailable. However, the relative effects of such land-use changes could be contemplated by comparing with data from similar natural habitats in adjacent areas. Between October to November 2018, we randomly setup 20 infrared camera traps in wheat fields located near Mount Guna at about 3350 m elevation, as part of a large research project investigating the efficacy of rodent repellent botanicals. We recorded six rodent species (Arvicanthis abyssinicus, Dendromus lovati, Dendromus mystacalis, Hystrix cristata, Mus mahomet and Stenocephalemys albipes) and two shrew species (Crocidura cf. baileyi and Crocidura olivieri). A. abyssinicus, H. cristata and S. albipes are known to occur in agricultural fields. D. lovati was recorded from anthropogenic habitat for the first time in this study. The species has been described as rare or difficult to capture with conventional traps. We call for rigorous biodiversity studies and conservation measures in agroecosystems in the Ethiopian highlands to avert further losses in biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Phylogeography of the White-Toothed Shrews Crocidura suaveolens and Crocidura sibirica: Searching for the Geographical Homeland

We studied the polymorphism of the cytb gene in two forms of the Lesser White-toothed Shrew species complex: Crocidura suaveolens s. stricto and C. sibirica. The haplotypes of C. sibirica are found to be very similar to those of Crocidura suaveolens. They do not belong to a distinct haplogroup. The molecular diversity of the populations in the Asian part of the range is higher than in Eastern Europe. For the combined sample from Asia and Europe together, we revealed a significant signal of population expansion. Analysis of the expansion time showed that the Asian territory was colonized earlier (before the last glacial maximum) than the Eastern Europe (at the very end of the Late Pleistocene and in the early Holocene). The results of the ancestral area reconstruction are consistent with the hypothesis of a Middle Asian origin of the C. suaveolens/C. sibirica group, recent colonization of Inner Asia and later penetration into Eastern Europe.

Modeling the Potential Distribution of Two Species of Shrews (Chodsigoa hypsibia and Anourosorex squamipes) under Climate Change in China

Understanding how the direct and indirect effects of climate change may affect species distributions is a key topic in ecology. We used maximum entropy models to explore the distribution of two species of shrews (Chodsigoa hypsibia and Anourosorex squamipes) in China and analyzed the main environmental factors affecting their current distribution and potential distribution changes under two future climate scenarios. The results showed that the major environmental factors determining the current distribution of C. hypsibia were the mean temperature of the coldest quarter (contributing 47.4%), annual mean temperature (contributing 24.7%), precipitation of the driest quarter (contributing 21.1%) and isothermality (contributing 6%). Annual precipitation (contributing 42.9%), precipitation of the driest month (contributing 28.1%), annual mean temperature (contributing 14.8%) and temperature seasonality (contributing 12.6%) had the highest contributions to the distribution of A. squamipes. Under future climate scenarios, the suitable habitat range of C. hypsibia increased while that of A. squamipes decreased. These findings demonstrate that different small mammal species respond differently to climate change.

Dissimilar use of an external heat source for thermoregulation by shrews from different geographic regions

Ambient temperature has a substantial influence on the thermoregulation costs of small mammals due to their high surface-to-volume ratio. Shrews are among the smallest of mammals and have adopted different behavioral and physiological strategies to deal with cold temperatures. In this study, we assessed the use of an external heat source in the thermoregulatory strategy of two Crocidurinae species, Crocidura russula and C. suaveolens, and one Soricinae species, Sorex araneus. Crocidura russula inhabits western Europe and is better adapted to a Mediterranean climate; C. suaveolens inhabits central Europe; and S. araneus inhabits northern Europe and is better adapted to a Palearctic climate. We predicted that C. russula (most southern species) would spend larger amounts of time using an external heat source because it is the most cold-sensitive species, while S. araneus (most northern species) would spend less time using an external heat source or not respond to it. Shrews were experimentally tested in captivity inside a terrarium where they had access to a heat rock, which could be turned off (cold) or on (heated), depending on treatment. Our results confirmed our initial prediction: C. russula was the species that spent significantly more time on the heated rock, followed by C. suaveolens. Only a quarter of S. araneus individuals spent large amounts of time on the heat rock, which suggests this thermoregulation strategy is not generally adopted by this species, but may be rather associated with some individual personalities. We also analyzed the influence of the heat rock on rewarming from heterothermy, but heterothermy was not different between rock treatments. Overall, our results show that shrew species use external heat sources for thermoregulation according to their sensitivity to cold.

A new species of Asiatic shrew of the genus Chodsigoa (Soricidae, Eulipotyphla, Mammalia) from the Dabie Mountains, Anhui Province, eastern China.

Asiatic shrews of the genus Chodsigoa (Soricidae, Eulipotyphla) currently comprise nine species, mostly occurring in southwest China. From May 2017 to August 2020, 11 specimens of Chodsigoa were collected from the Dabie Mountains in Anhui Province, eastern China. Their morphology was compared with other species within the genus and one mitochondrial (cytochrome b) and two nuclear (apolipoprotein B and breast cancer 1) genes were sequenced to estimate the phylogenetic relationships of these specimens. Based on morphological and molecular evidence, these specimens are recognized as a distinct species, Chodsigoadabieshanensissp. nov., which is formally described here. Morphologically, the new species is most similar to Chodsigoahypsibia, but it is distinguishable from all known congeners by the combination of dark brownish pelage, small size, and relatively short tail. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that C.dabieshanensissp. nov. forms a phylogenetic lineage sister to the clade containing C.parva + C.hypsibia. The-Kimura 2-parameter genetic distances of the cytochrome b (CYT B) gene between the new species and other nominal Chodsigoa species ranged between 8.6 and 17.6%. The new species is distributed at elevations from 750 to 1250 m in the Dabie Mountains and is geographically distant from other species in the genus.

Small mammals of background areas in the vicinity of the Karabash copper smelter (Southern Urals, Russia).

BackgroundThe dataset contains records of small mammals (Eulipotyphla and Rodentia) collected in the background (unpolluted) areas in the vicinity of Karabash copper smelter (Southern Urals, Russia) and the territory of the Sultanovskoye deposit of copper-pyrite ores before the start of its development. Data were collected during the snowless periods in 2007 (18 sampling plots), 2008–2010 (13 plots annually), 2011 (30 plots) and 2012–2014 (19 plots annually). The capture of animals was carried out in different types of forests (pine, birch, mixed and floodplain), sparse birch stands, reed swamps, marshy and dry meadows, border areas, a household waste dump, areas of ruderal vegetation and a temporary camp. Our study of small mammals was conducted using trap lines (snap and live traps). During the study period, 709 specimens of small mammals were caught, which belonged to five species of shrews and 13 species of rodents. The dataset may be highly useful for studying regional fauna and the distribution of species in different habitats and could also be used as reference values for environmental monitoring and conservation activities.New informationOur dataset contains new information on occurrences of small mammals. It includes the peculiarities of their habitat distribution in the background areas in the vicinity of the large copper smelter and the deposit of copper-pyrite ores before the start of its development (Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia). All occurrence records of 18 mammal species with georeferencing have been published in GBIF.

Effects of Long-Term Habitat Protection on Montane Small Mammals: Are Sorex araneus and S. minutus More Sensitive Than Previously Considered?

Protection of natural areas by restricting human activities aims to preserve plant and animal populations and whole communities, ensuring the conservation of biological diversity and enhancement of ecosystem services. Therefore, it is expected that the longer the protection, the stronger the desired effects. We evaluated the responses of small mammals at the population and community levels under protection in the southern Carpathian Mountains. We surveyed small mammals for five years in sites with long- and short-term protection and non-protected. Besides protection status, we included elevation, habitat heterogeneity, and the month of survey as predictors in our models. As response variables, we considered abundance, presence, species composition and species richness. Community abundance responded to all four predictors and species composition was influenced by protection status and month of study. The shrews Sorex araneus and S. minutus had positive responses to protection, both in terms of abundance and relative abundance (their ratio within the community). Our results suggest that overall, montane small mammal communities respond positively to long-term protection, especially S. araneus and S. minutus. These shrew species are considered habitat generalists, but they appear to be in fact sensitive to the habitat quality enhanced through protection.

Видовой состав и структура фауны землероек Норского заповедника

When monitoring small mammal populations in protected areas, the first step is to establish micromammalia species composition, including shrew species composition. In order to achieve this, we have been capturing shrews in all typical Norsky reserve habitats for the past nine years. The presence of seven brown-toothed species has been reliably established. Out of those, S. caecutiens, S. roboratus, S. daphaenodon and S. isodon are common species, while S. gracillimus, S. minutissimus and S. tundrensis are secondary species. In terms of species diversity values, the Norsky reserve occupies an intermediate position between the protected areas located in the north and the south of the Amur region. To monitor biodiversity in the Norsky reserve, we recommend two indicator species. The first is S. caecutiens, due to its high abundance and presence in all habitat types. The second is S. roboratus, since its population numbers are both relatively high and quite sensitive to external adverse factors (fires, floods, etc.). In addition to that, the shrew taxocene composition itself is a fairly reliable indicator of habitat biodiversity status. This indicator includes any changes in subdominant species ratio, lack of records of secondary species catches and any sharp changes in species diversity index values.

Fourteen New, Endemic Species of Shrew (Genus Crocidura) from Sulawesi Reveal a Spectacular Island Radiation

After nearly a decade of field inventories in which we preserved voucher specimens of the small terrestrial mammals of Sulawesi, we combined qualitative and quantitative analyses of morphological traits with molecular phylogenetics to better understand the diversity of shrews (Soricidae: Crocidura) on the island. We examined the morphology of 1368 specimens and obtained extensive molecular data from many of them, including mitochondrial DNA sequences from 851 specimens, up to five nuclear exons from 657 specimens, and thousands of ultraconserved elements from 90 specimens. By iteratively testing species limits using distinct character datasets and appropriate taxon sampling, we found clear, mostly consistent evidence for the existence of 21 species of shrews on Sulawesi, only seven of which were previously recognized. We divide these 21 species into five morphogroups, provide emended diagnoses of the seven previously named species, and describe 14 new species. The Long-Tailed Group contains Crocidura caudipilosa, C. elongata, C. microelongata, new species, and C. quasielongata, new species; the Rhoditis Group contains C. rhoditis, C. pseudorhoditis, new species, C. australis, new species, and C. pallida, new species; the Small-Bodied Group contains C. lea, C. levicula, C. baletei, new species, C. mediocris, new species, C. parva, new species, and C. tenebrosa, new species; the Thick-Tailed Group contains C. brevicauda, new species and C. caudicrassa, new species; and the Ordinary Group contains C. musseri, C. nigripes, C. normalis, new species, C. ordinaria, new species, and C. solita, new species. Documenting these endemic species reveals a local radiation (20 of the 21 species are members of an endemic clade) in which elevational gradients played a prominent role in either promoting speciation, or at a minimum, fostering the cooccurrence of phenotypically similar species. As now understood, the species-level diversity of Crocidura on Sulawesi is nearly three times the known diversity of any other insular shrew fauna. This study highlights the fact that if we wish to understand the true extent of biodiversity on Earth, large-scale, vouchered organismal inventories followed up with thorough examinations of genetic, morphological, and geographic traits are sorely needed in montane tropical regions, even for purportedly well-studied groups such as mammals.

High diversity of small insectivorous mammals on Qinghai\u2013Tibet Plateau and first description of karyotype for four endemics of China

Among seven species of the order Eulipotyphla (from southern Gansu and northern Sichuan Provinces, Central China) studied cytogenetically, karyotypes of one talpid species, Uropsilus aff. soricipes (2n = 36, NFa = 54), and three soricid species, Chodsigoa hypsibia (2n = 65, NFa = 66), Sorex cansulus (2n = 42, NFa = 64) and Sorex thibetanus (2n = 42, NFa = 60), are described cytogenetically for the first time. All four species are endemic to China with distribution ranges restricted to the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and adjacent mountain ranges. The Ch. hypsibia karyotype consists of mostly acrocentric autosomes and one metacentric pair of autosomes; besides, a B chromosome was identified. No polymorphism was detected among karyotypes of other species, including shrews Sorex bedfordiae (2n = 26, NFa = 44), Anourosorex squamipes (2n = 48, NFa = 92) and Crocidura suaveolens (2n = 40, NFa = 44). The Chinese shrew mole U. aff. soricipes and three shrew species (S. bedfordiae, Ch. hypsibia and A. squamipes) represent autochthonous fauna of Central/Western China, whereas S. thibetanus, S. cansulus and C. suaveolens belong to phylogenetic groups occurring mostly to the north and west from China; therefore, they should be considered relatively recent colonisers. Thus, considering the relationships of the species within phylogenetic groups, our results on karyotypes are in good agreement with molecular genetic data.