Sorex sclateri Merriam, 1897

Matson, John O. & Ordóñez-Garza, Nicté, 2017, The taxonomic status of Long-tailed shrews (Mammalia: genus Sorex) from Nuclear Central America, Zootaxa 4236 (3), pp. 461-483 : 476-477

Sorex sclateri Merriam, 1897

Sclater’s Shrew

Sorex sclateri Merriam, 1897:228 . Type locality “ Tumbala , Chiapas, Mexico (alt., 5000 ft.)” Sorex Sclateri Trouessart, 1898:1287 .

Holotype. Number 75872, U. S. Nat. Mus., Biological Survey Collection, adult, female, skin and skull; collected October 28, 1895, by E. W. Nelson and E. A. Goldman, original number 8567.

Distribution. Known only from two localities in Chiapas, Mexico ( Carraway 2007).

Diagnosis. Sorex sclateri is the largest member of the S. salvini species group. It is as large as most species in the S. veraepacis species group. U3> U 4 in three of four specimens, U3 = U 4 in one individual. Color is a dark brown above slightly paler below, tail as in body.

Description. Sorex sclateri has a longer mandible and relatively less inflated cranium than S. cristobalensis , S. salvini , S. stizodon , or the undescribed species from Honduras. Average body measurements for four specimens (three topotypes and type) are: TOT 124; Tail 52, HF 15.9. Average skull measurements for three specimens (two topotypes and type) are: CBL 19.5, GLS 19.8, LR 8.2, PL 7.9, LUT 3.0, LMT 4.9, CB 9.1, WM2 4.9, LIB, 4.4, DB 5.7, LM 8.3, HC 3.0. Sorex sclateri pelage color is dark brown compared to species in the S. veraepacis species group, which are gray to black.

Ecology. Summarized by Carraway (2007), no new information available.

Specimens examined (4). Mexico, Chiapas: Tumbalá, 5000 ft. ( USNM 75871–75874 ).

Additional records. Mexico, Chiapas: San Antonio Buenavista ( Carraway 2007).