Neomys fodiens (Pennant, 1771)
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6870843 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6869966 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/3D474A54-A016-877A-FF0F-A1971B2EF46F |
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treatment provided by |
Felipe |
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scientific name |
Neomys fodiens |
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Eurasian Water Shrew
French: Crossope aquatique / German: \Wasserspitzmaus / Spanish: Musgano patiblanco
Other common names: Northern Water Shrew, Water Shrew
Taxonomy. Sorex fodiens Pennant, 1771 ,
Berlin, Germany.
Subspecies niethammeri in north-western Spain is morphologically distinct from other populations and may warrant species status. Further taxonomic research is needed. Four subspecies recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution.
N.f.fodiensPennant,1771—fromAtlanticcoastofcontinentalEuropeEtoObRiverandAltaisteppes(WSiberia).
N.f.bicolorG.Shaw,1791—GreatBritain.
N.f.niethammeriBuhler,1963—NSpain.
N. f. orientis Thomas, 1914 — from Ob River and Altai steppes (W Siberia) E to Pacific coast. View Figure
Descriptive notes. Head—body 75-103 mm,tail 58-73 mm, hindfoot 16-21 mm; weight 8-5-25 g. The Eurasian Water Shrew is large. Keel occurs along entire length oftail, and swimming borders on feet are well formed with long stiff hairs. Tail is usually longer than 65% of head-body length. Pelage is relatively short. Back and sides are black-brown or black, sometimes with weak grayish tint. Belly is silvery gray, sometimes with brownish tint. White spot behind eye is commonly distinct. Dark spot is occasionally found on chest and chin, varying in shape and size. Tail is bicolored, with dark color of back above contrasting with silvery gray of belly below. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 52 and FN = 98. X-chromosomeis large subtelocentric, Y-chromosome is small subtelocentric. There are 44 metacentric and submetacentric autosomes and SIX acrocentric autosomes.
Habitat. Forest zone and foreststeppe and forest-tundra neighboring subzones. The Eurasian Water Shrew avoids extended wooded areas, especially coniferous forests with well-developed moss layer. It inhabits banks of streams and stagnant waters; riverside meadows with quiet pools or other regions of low water velocity are preferred. It is occasionally found far from the water, usually at sites with tall grasses, especially in desolated vegetable gardens or settlements.
Food and Feeding. The Eurasian Water Shrew eats terrestrial and water invertebrates, the latter prevailing in the diet. Isopods (Asellus), caddis worms, and larvae of various dipterans are most common dietary components among water invertebrates. Earthworms, mollusks, and various beetles are preferred among terrestrial invertebrates. Vertebrates (fish fry, tadpoles, and young frogs) are regularly found in diets, but their overall contribution is insignificant. The Eurasian Water Shrew dives to catch water invertebrates, occasionally reaching depths of 50-70 cm. Saliva enzymes exert a paralytic effect and serve to immobilize prey.
Breeding. Breeding season of the Eurasian Water Shrew lasts throughout the warm period of the year (e.g. April-September in England), but most young are born in summer. Gestation averages 20 days; litters usually have 5-8 young, although captures of pregnant females with 15 embryos are known. Nests are built in hollows between plant roots, driftwood along banks, and rodent burrows. Nests are constructed with plant debris. There is evidence that longevity can occasionally reach 19 months in the wild (i.e. capable of overwintering twice). This feature distinguishes the Eurasian Water Shrew from other shrews, such as those of the genus Sorex . Nevertheless, such cases seem to be extremely rare because long-term observations of many marked Eurasian Water Shrews in southern England showed that they all died after the end of a breeding season and first overwintering. Eurasian Water Shrews can live up to 3-4 years in laboratory conditions.
Activity patterns. The Eurasian Water Shrew is semi-aquatic. Activity occurs almost around the clock, most often peaking during dark hours. Maximal activity is observed before sunrise and after sunset. Time spent in nests in winter is generally longer than In summer.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Eurasian Water Shrew is solitary and promiscuous. Shifting home ranges are characteristic ofits spatial organization; i.e. home range of an individual shifts during its life following a shift in vital resources, such as when the water’s edge moves as a water body dries out.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Eurasian Water Shrew is generally low in abundance, although it is common in favorable habitats and is occasionally codominant in the community of small mammals in Barabinsk Lowland in western Siberia. The Eurasian Water Shrew is on the Red Lists of Latvia, Kyrgyzstan, and 17 regions of the Russian Federation.
Bibliography. Aloise et al. (2005), Cantoni (1993), Churchfield (1984a, 1984b, 1990), Dehnel (1950), Kalyakin (1985), Kowalski & Rychlik (2018), Lopez-Fuster et al. (1990), Maksimov (1959), Nesterenko (1999), Okhotina (1984), Reimers & Voronov (1963), Revin (1989), Rychlik (1998), Sheftel (1983), Spitzenberger (1990c), Volpert & Danilov (1999), Won Chang-Man & Smith (1999), Yanushevich et al. (1972), Zima et al. (1998).
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