Sorex albibarbis (Cope, 1862)

Russell A. Mittermeier & Don E. Wilson, 2018, Soricidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 8 Insectivores, Sloths and Colugos, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 332-551 : 422

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Eastern Water Shrew

Sorex albibarbis

French: Musaraigne de Cope / German: Ostliche Wasserspitzmaus / Spanish: Musgafo oriental

Taxonomy. Neosorex albibarbis Cope, 1862 ,

“Profile Lake, in the Franconia Mountains [Grafton Co.], New Hampshire,” USA. Sorex albibarbis is in the S. palustris group and subgenus Ofisorex; it is sister to S. palustris , of which it was previously included as a subspecies of. Although not all subspecies have been sampled, S. albibarbis is genetically distinguishable from S. palustris along with S. navigator. Additional studies are needed to distinguish S. albibarbis from

the other two water shrews morphologically. Distributional limits between S. albibarbis and S. palustris are still very uncertain. Because ofthis confusion,all ecological data for S. albibarbis, S. navigator, and S. palustris are listed under S. palustris here. Five subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

S.a.albibarbisCope,1862—fromE&SQuebec(ECanada)StoMaryland(NEUSA).

S.a.gloveralleniH.H.T.Jackson,1926—NewBrunswickandNovaScotia(SECanada).

S.a.labradorensisBurt,1938—LabradorandNEQuebec(NECanada).

S.a.punctulatusHooper,1942—AppalachianMtsfromSPennsylvaniaStoTennessee(EUSA).

S. a. turner: D. H. Johnson, 1951 — N Quebec (NE Canada).

Descriptive notes. There are no specific measurements available. The Eastern Water Shrew is a large species of semi-aquatic shrew, very similar to the American Water Shrew (8 S. palustris ) in dimensions, but additional studies are needed to identify morphological differentiation between them. Pelage is highly variable; dorsum is generally blackish brown and occasionally flecked with white, giving it grizzled appearance. Venteris silvery white to buffy brown. Occasionally, there is a nearly all blackish form, with lighter throat and chest, although this is rare. Feet are large and broad, and hindfeet are partially webbed and have small white hairs protruding on their sides. Tail is long, somewhat laterally flattened, and bicolored, being dark blackish brown above and lighter below, with small tip of fur at end. Teeth are pigmented dark red. There are five unicuspids, third is smaller than fourth, and fifth is much smaller.

Habitat. Around streams, ponds, lakes, swamps, marshes, and bogs. Eastern Water Shrews are most common around small streams with dense overhanging riparian vegetation. Although they are most commonly associated with water, individuals have been captured far from water sources, which probably represents dispersing individuals. It has been noted that the Appalachian populations of subspecies punctulatus are found in more pristine unaltered habitat exclusively.

Food and Feeding. Diets of the Eastern Water Shrew are probably similar to the American Water Shrew.

Breeding. Reproduction of the Eastern Water Shrew is probably similar to the American Water Shrew.

Activity patterns. Eastern Water Shrews are semi-aquatic, with activity patterns probably similar to those of the American Water Shrew.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Eastern Water Shrews are probably similar to the American Water Shrew.

Status and Conservation. Not assessed on The [UCN Red List. American Water Shrews are not threatened overall, but localized water pollution and habitat destruction are detrimental because they rely so heavily on aquatic environments.

Bibliography. Beneski & Stinson (1987), Catania (2006), Gusztak & Campbell (2004), Hope et al. (2014), Mycroft et al. (2011), Nagorsen et al. (2017), Pagels et al. (1998), Sorenson (1962).

Figures

0. Radde’s Shrew (Sorex raddei), 1. Alpine Shrew (Sorex alpinus), 2. Ussuri Shrew (Sorex mwrabilis), 3. Chinese Highland Shrew (Sorex excelsus), 4. Greater Striped Shrew (Sorex cylindricauda), 5. Lesser Striped Shrew (Sorex bedfordiae), 7. Flat-skulled Shrew (Sorex roboratus), 8. Eurasian Least Shrew (Sorex munutissimus), 9. Azumi Shrew (Sorex hosonoi), 10. Slender Shrew (Sorex gracillimus), 11. Laxmann’s Shrew (Sorex caecutiens), 12. Shinto Shrew (Sorex shinto), 13. Taiga Shrew (Sorex isodon), 14. Long-clawed Shrew (Sorex unguiculatus), 15. Chinese Shrew (Sorex sinalis), 16. Common Shrew (Sorex araneus), 17. Iberian Shrew (Sorex granarius), 18. Valais Shrew (Sorex antinorn), 19. Crowned Shrew (Sorex coronatus), 20. Caucasian Shrew (Sorex satunin), 21. Siberian Large-toothed Shrew (Sorex daphaenodon), 22. Gansu Shrew (Sorex cansulus), 23. Tundra Shrew (Sorex tundrensis), 24. Tian Shan Shrew (Sorex asper), 25. Apennine Shrew (Sorex samniticus), 26. Arctic Shrew (Sorex arcticus), 27. Maritime Shrew (Sorex maritimensis), 28. Eurasian Pygmy Shrew (Sorex minutus), 29. Caucasian Pygmy Shrew (Sorex volnuchini), 30. Buchara Shrew (Sorex buchariensis), 31. Tibetan Shrew (Sorex thibetanus), 32. Kashmir Shrew (Sorex planiceps), 33. Trowbridge’s Shrew (Sorex trowbridgu), 34. Arizona Shrew (Sorex arizonae), 35. Merriam’s Shrew (Sorex merriami), 36. Alto Shrew (Sorex altoensis), 37. Jalisco Shrew (Sorex mediopua), 38. Saussure’s Shrew (Sorex saussurei), 39. San Cristobal Shrew (Sorex cristobalensis), 40. McCarthy's Shrew (Sorex mccarthyi), 41. Salvin’s Shrew (Sorex salvini), 42. Sclater’s Shrew (Sorex sclateri), 43. Pale-toothed Shrew (Sorex stizodon)

Subspecies and Distribution. S.a.albibarbisCope,1862—fromE&SQuebec(ECanada)StoMaryland(NEUSA). S.a.gloveralleniH.H.T.Jackson,1926—NewBrunswickandNovaScotia(SECanada). S.a.labradorensisBurt,1938—LabradorandNEQuebec(NECanada). S.a.punctulatusHooper,1942—AppalachianMtsfromSPennsylvaniaStoTennessee(EUSA). S. a. turner: D. H. Johnson, 1951 — N Quebec (NE Canada).