Crocidura grayi, Dobson, 1890
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6870843 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6870120 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/3D474A54-A07D-8712-FA13-A3B5175CFA6B |
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treatment provided by |
Felipe |
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scientific name |
Crocidura grayi |
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Luzon White-toothed Shrew
French: Crocidure de Lugon / German: Luzon-WeilRzahnspitzmaus / Spanish: Musarana de Luzén
Other common names: Luzon Shrew
Taxonomy. Crocidura grayi Dobson, 1890 View in CoL ,
Luzon, Philippines.
In 1910, G. S. Miller described a new sub- species (halconus) from Mindoro, but in 1987 L. R. Heaney and colleagues regard- ed it as a junior synonym of C. grayi . This course has been followed in subsequent publications, by Heaney and M. Ruedi in 1994, and R. Hutterer in 2005, pending new evidence. Phylogenetically, C. gray: is most closely related to C. beata from Mind-
anao Faunal Region, and to members of the central Philippine clade ( mindorus , negnina, panayensis ). According to recent phylogenetic results from J. A. Esselstyn, in 2009, 2010, and 2011, C. gray: as currently delimited may include more species-level taxa; this deserves careful study. Monotypic.
Distribution. N Philippines, including Luzon, Calayan (Babuyan Group), Mindoro and Catanduanes Is. View Figure
Descriptive notes. Head-body ¢.78-85 mm, tail 47-64 mm, ear 8-10 mm, hindfoot 13-17 mm; weight 8:5-10 g. Condylo-incisive length: 18:8-20-7 mm. The Luzon White-toothed Shrew is a small shrew, perhaps the smallest native mammal on Luzon. Fur is dark gray or brown on upperparts,slightly paler ventrally. Basal half of tail has scattered long bristle hairs. Ears are partly hidden within the fur. Superficially similar to shrew mice ( Muridae : Archboldomys , Soricomys ) of Luzon, but shrew mice have no flexible snout, medium-sized eyes, and incisors separated from the molars by a long gap. Skull is narrow and elongated, narrow rostrum and proportionally small molars. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 38 and FN = 58 (Mount Isarog, southern Luzon).
Habitat. Common in primary lowland, montane, and mossy forest. It does not occur outside forested areas. Often common in primary and secondary forest and beside trails cleared through forest. Sometimes present in areas with mixed agriculture and regenerating shrubby vegetation at moderate or high elevations, but absent from such areas at low elevations. Elevational range 250-2400 m.
Food and Feeding. [Luzon White-toothed Shrews primarily feed on small invertebrates, including earthworms, insects, and spiders.
Breeding. Offive pregnant females, four had one embryo and one had two; average litter size from embryo and placental scar counts is c.1-2.
Activity patterns. Terrestrial and both diurnal and nocturnal.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. Luzon White-toothed Shrews rarely occur with Asian House Shrews ( Suncus murinus ), which tend to be associated with heavy disturbance, but Asian House Shrews are present in mature forest, where the Luzon White-toothed Shrew is absent. When populations are high, individuals can be seen foraging on ground, and their high-pitched squeaks can sometimes be heard. They produce distinct musky odor.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List in view of its relatively wide distribution, and predicted large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category. Deforestation has affected the Luzon White-toothed Shrew, especially at lower elevations. Forest has been lost for agriculture, timber extraction, and human settlements. The species occurs in a number of protected areas.
Bibliography. Alviola et al. (2011), Balete, Alviola et al. (2011), Balete, Heaney et al. (2013), Boitani etal. (2006), Duya, Alviola et al. (2007), Duya, Duya et al. (2011), Esselstyn & Brown (2009), Esselstyn & Oliveros (2010), Esselstyn, Maher & Brown (2011), Esselstyn, Timm & Brown (2009), Heaney & Ruedi (1994), Heaney & Tabaranza (2016), Heaney, Balete, Dolar et al. (1998), Heaney, Balete & Rickart (2016), Heaney, Balete, Rickart, Utzurrum & Gonzales (1999), Heaney, Balete, Rosell-Ambal et al. (2013), Heaney, Dolar et al. (2010), Heaney, Gonzales & Alcala (1987), Heaney, Gonzales, Utzurrum & Rickart (1991), Hutterer (2005b), Miller (1910), Rickart, Heaney, Balete, Alviola et al. (2013), Rickart, Heaney, Balete & Tabaranza (2011), Rickart, Heaney & Utzurrum (1991).
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