SORICOMORPHA, Gregory, 1910

Pearch, Malcolm J., 2011, A review of the biological diversity and distribution of small mammal taxa in the terrestrial ecoregions and protected areas of Nepal 3072, Zootaxa 3072 (1), pp. 1-286 : 79-92

ORDER SORICOMORPHA (formerly part of INSECTIVORA )

FAMILY SORICIDAE

Crocidura attenuata Milne-Edwards, 1872 MAP No. 61 Grey shrew

Asian Grey shrew

Crocidura attenuata Milne-Edwards, 1872b: 263 ; pl. 38B, fig. 1; pl. 39A, fig. 2. Moupin, Szechuan, China.

Crocidura rubricosa Anderson, 1877: 280 . Sibsagar, Assam.

Records.— Hinton & Fry (1923): "Katmandu, 8,000'" [2,437 m.] (as Crocidura rubricosa Anderson, 1877 ).— Ingles et al. (1980) (see note 1): 2 miles N.E. of Mayang (B.M.(N.H.) No. 75.108); 3 miles south of Chakrapur (B.M.(N.H.) Nos. 79.997 -79.999).— Mitchell & Punzo (1976): Kakani (4) (see note 2).— Newton et al. (1990): 3 km. S. of Chakrapur (see note 3).—R.O.M. (see note 4): Kakani (3) (ROM 74646); Tamaspur (2) (ROM 74615).

Non-specific records: Insectivore Specialist Group (1996): Nepal.—Mitchell (1975) (as C. a. rubricosa ) (see note 2): Nepal.

Note.— 1 In Ingles et al. (1980), the full description of the collection locality of B.M.(N.H.) 75.108 is " 2 miles N.E. of Mayang, south side of Pelma Khola, W. of Dhaulagiri at 28º39'N 82º50'E at an altitude of 6500 ft. [1,980 m.]"; in the same paper, the full description of the collection locality of B.M.(N.H.) Nos. 79.997 –79.999 is " 3 miles south of Chakrapur, north of Fatepur on the west bank of the River Kosi, Diapurgarmi District, 26º50'N 87º01'E at about 300 m. altitude." Greenwood et al. (1985), who record the flea, Acropsylla traubi Lewis, 1973 , from C. attenuata for the first time, describe the locality from which B.M.(N.H.) 79.997 –79.999 were collected as "south of Chakrapur village on stubble and amongst tall riverine grassland close to River Kosi. Flooded annually, alluvial and flat". The same authors state that C. attenuata was collected together with Mus booduga . [Note: the coordinates of the Chakrapur locality given in Greenwood et al. (1985) (26º05'N, 87º10'E) represent a point 85 km. south of the actual locality. The correct co-ordinates (26º50'N, 87º01'E) are given in Ingles et al., 1980].

2 Mitchell & Punzo (1976) state that this is the first substantive record of C. attenuata from Nepal although the species appears (as C. a. rubricosa ) in Mitchell's checklist of Nepalese mammals published the previous year (Mitchell, 1975).

3 The three specimens of C. attenuata to which Newton et al. (1990) refer are the same three specimens discussed by Ingles et al. (1980) (B.M.(N.H.) Nos. 79.997 –79.999). The first authors give the longitude of the collection site as 87º07'E rather than the longitude 87º01'E stated in Ingles et al. (1980). The latter co-ordinate is preferred here on account of the greater precision of the locality description given in Ingles et al. (1980) and because it is to the latter paper that Newton et al. (1990) refer.

4 ROM 74646 and ROM 74615 were collected by R. M. Mitchell.

I.U.C.N. status.—Least concern (ver. 3.1, 2001)

Year of assessment: 2008.

* Crocidura horsfieldii ( Tomes, 1856) MAP No. 62 Horsfield's shrew

Sorex horsfieldii Tomes, 1856: 23 . Ceylon.

Records (see note 1).— Mitchell & Derksen (1976) (as C. horsfieldi horsfieldi ): Jumla; Rara Lake.

Non-specific records: Corbet & Hill (1992): (western) Nepal.— Hutterer (1993): Nepal.— Hutterer (2005b):? Nepal (see note 1).— Insectivore Specialist Group (1996): Nepal.—Mitchell (1975) (as C. h. horsfieldi ): Nepal.—R.O.M. (see notes 1,2): Jumla Airport (ROM 74701, ROM 74703); Rara Lake (ROM 74692).

Note.— 1 Hutterer (2005b) includes Nepal as a possibility in the species' distribution. The same author states that: "The distribution of horsfieldii sensu strictu is still a matter of disagreement. Lunde et al. (2003) restricted its distribution to Sri Lanka and adjacent peninsular India." In light of Hutterer’s remarks and in an effort to determine more precisely the taxonomic identity of the specimens from Jumla Airport and Rara Lake in the collections of the Royal Ontario Museum, a re-examination of the material was undertaken by J. L. Eger, Senior Curator of Mammals. External and cranial measurements of the specimens were taken and these were compared with measurements of other Crocidura species (notably C. indochinensis and C. wuchihensis ) given in Jenkins et al. (2009), Lunde et al. (2003), and Lunde et al. (2004).

The R.O.M. specimens were found to be closest in size to C. indochinensis with the exception of the height of the braincase, which measured approximately 0.5 mm less in the R.O.M. specimens. The braincase of the R.O.M. material was observed to be quite flat and to lack lambdoidal crests.

Despite similarities with indochinensis , it cannot be stated incontrovertibly that the R.O.M. specimens are representative of that species. Until a more detailed revision of Indochinese shrews is completed, it is considered that a reassignment of the specimens listed currently as C. horsfieldii in the collections of R.O.M. would be premature. However, as Lunde et al. (2003) restrict the distribution of the taxon horsfieldii to Sri Lanka and adjacent areas of India, the true identity of the specimens from Jumla and Rara Lake remains uncertain. For this reason, it is deemed unsafe at present to include C. horsfieldii in a list of Nepal's known fauna.

2 The specimens from Jumla Airport ( ROM 74701 and ROM 74703) and Rara Lake ( ROM 74692) were collected by R. M. Mitchell and are likely to be part of the series of 14 specimens from those two localities that are mentioned in Mitchell & Derksen (1976) (see "Records", above) .

I.U.C.N. status.—Data deficient (ver. 3.1, 2001)

Year of assessment: 2008

.

Suncus etruscus ( Savi, 1822) MAP No. 63

Savi’s Pygmy shrew

Etruscan shrew

Sorex etruscus Savi, 1822: 60 . Pisa, Italy.

Sorex perrotteti Duvernoy, 1842: 29 . Nilgiri Hills, southern India.

Crocidura (Pachyura) pygmaeoides Anderson, 1877: 279 . Himalayas.

Sorex pygmaeus Hodgson, 1845: 269 . Central region of Nepal. Pre-occupied by S. pygmaeus Laxmann, 1769 (now Sorex minutus Linnaeus, 1766 ).

Records.— Abe (1982): Dunche.— Brunet-Lecomte (1984): Daman (3).— Fry (1925): Knaping (as Pachyura perrotteti ( Duvernoy, 1842)) .— Ingles et al. (1980): Gurjakhani; the "Residency", Kathmandu.— Mitchell & Punzo (1976) (as S. e. pygmaeoides Anderson, 1877 ) (see note 1): Kakani (4); Melumche (2).—R.O.M.: Melumche (1) (ROM 74648 and ROM 74654—see note 2).

Non-specific records:—Mitchell (1975) (as S. e. pygmaeoides ): Nepal.—I.U.C.N. (2008): Nepal.

Note.— 1 Mitchell & Punzo (1976) state that these are the first substantive (locality) records of S. etruscus from Nepal (the species is included in a basic checklist of Nepalese mammals contained in Mitchell, 1975). The specimens were collected in July and August (1970) from "stone fences" that were "overgrown with ferns, willows ( Salix sp. ) and wild roses ( Rosa sericea )". The fences enclosed plots in which wheat, millet, and potatoes were being cultivated ( Mitchell & Punzo, 1976).

2 The specimens from Melumche (ROM 74648 and ROM 74654) were collected by R. M. Mitchell but are from a different, although similar, elevation from those reported in Mitchell & Punzo (1976).

I.U.C.N. status.—Least concern (ver. 3.1, 2001)

Year of assessment: 2008.

Suncus murinus ( Linnaeus, 1766) MAP No. 64 House shrew

Asian House shrew

Sorex murinus Linnaeus 1766: 74 . Java

Sorex caerulaeus Kerr, 1792: 207 . Java.

Sorex caerulescens Shaw, 1800: 533 . India

Sorex indicus Geoffroy, I., 1811: 183 . Pondicherry, southern India.

Sorex ? nemorivagus Hodgson, 1845: 269 . Central region of Nepal. See note 1.

Sorex ? soccatus Hodgson, 1845: 270 . Central region of Nepal. See note 1.

Sorex tytleri Blyth, 1859: 285 . Dehra Dun, northern India.

Records.— Abe (1982): Adhabar; Betrawate; Bhainse; Biratanti; Chitare; Godavari; Kathmandu; Khurumsan; Kuinibisona; Pokhara; Ramche; Swingket; Tatopani.—A.M.N.H.: Kathmandu (AMNH 251611—AMNH 251624).— Chesemore (1970): Singaul.—F.M.N.H. (all as S. m. soccatus ): 1 mile E. of Bharabise (FMNH 114343); 12 miles N.N.W. of Chainpur (FMNH 114163); 32 miles E. of Dhangadi (FMNH 94133 and FMNH 94134); Balaju (FMNH 57687, FMNH 57716, FMNH 104118, FMNH 114119, FMNH 104121); Deorali (1)(FMNH 94132); Ilam (FMNH 94135); Kathmandu (FMNH 57601—FMNH 57611, FMNH 57770, FMNH 94127, FMNH 94129—FMNH 94131, FMNH 104120, FMNH 104122—FMNH 104126); Num (near) (1) (FMNH 114630); Tarke Ghyang (FMNH 142325); Tumlingtar (FMNH 114344).— Green (1981): Langtang N. P. (3).— Greenwood et al. (1985): Kalitar (see note 2).—H.N.H.M.: Begnas Lake (HNHM 98.8.26).—H.Z.M. (all as S. m. soccatus Hodgson, 1845 —see note 3): "Amar Compound, Baneswar" (HZM 33.15741); "Between Baneswar and Patan" (HZM 31.15739 and HZM 32.15740—see note 4); "Nr. Kathmandu" (HZM 15.7285).— Johnson et al. (1980) (as S. m. tytleri ( Blyth, 1859) , except where stated) (see note 5): Chisapani (USNM 290047—USNM 290049); Rekcha (USNM 290050—USNM 290055); Tikapur (USNM 290056); Raxaul-Birganj (USNM 290046) (as Suncus caerulaeus ( Kerr, 1792)) (see note 6).— Mekada et al. (2001) (see note 7): Dilli Bazar, Kathmandu; Shikha; Tatopani.— Newton et al. (1990): 6 km. N. of Kalitar.—P.S.M.: Balaju (PSM 13479, PSM 13480, PSM 13489—PSM 13495, PSM 13497, PSM 15623); Kathmandu (PSM 13478, PSM 13481—PSM 13488, PSM 13496, PSM 15614—PSM 15622).—R.O.M.: Gokarna, King’s Forest (ROM 74727); Kathmandu (ROM 31229); Madhuban (2) (ROM 74609); Melumche (1) (ROM 74649); Sisaiya, 3 miles E. of Mahendranagar (ROM 74621); Tarke Ghyang (ROM 74583, ROM 74584, ROM 74587, and ROM 74588).— Sawada & Koyasu (1991): Kathmandu.— Sawada & Harada (1995): Naya Pul.—T.C.W.C.: Sanghu, Maewa Khola (TCWC 20902).— Weigel

(1969) (as S. m. soccatus ): Bigu (2); Darapani; Ekantakuna; Kathmandu.— Worth & Shah (1969) (as S. m. soccatus ): Nagarkot (3).

Non-specific records: Hodgson (1834) (as Sorex indicus ): Nepal.— Hodgson (1842) (as Sorex indicus ): " Tarai and all three regions of the hills" (see note 8).—F.M.N.H.: Kathmandu Valley (FMNH 94128).— Insectivore Specialist Group (1996): Nepal.—Mitchell (1975) (as Suncus murinus caerulescens ( Shaw, 1800) , S. m. soccatus , and S. m. tytleri ).— Weigel (1969) (as S. m. soccatus ): Sun Kosi valley (see note 9).— Worth & Shah (1969) (as S. m. caerulescens ): Nepal.

Note.— 1 Hodgson used the specific names nemorivagus and soccatus first in 1844 ( Hodgson, 1844b: 288) but without providing a description of either taxon. Were the earlier dates to be used, the type localities of both forms would be: "Tarai and all three regions of the hills" (of Nepal).

2 Greenwood et al. (1985) record that the collection site featured a "rocky stream surrounded by mixed deciduous woodland".

3 Measurements of HZM specimens are given in Appendix III.

4 HZM 31.15739 and HZM 32.15740 were collected in a "hedgerow ditch" and a "river hedgerow" respectively.

5 Measurements of USNM specimens are given in Appendix II.

6 Raxaul and Birganj are opposing border towns, the former in India, the latter in Nepal.

7 Mekada et al. (2001) give external measurements of specimens, which are deposited in the mammal collection of the Laboratory of Animal Management and Resources, Graduate School of Bio-Agricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Japan.

8 Corbet & Hill (1992) limit the Nepalese range of Suncus murinus approximately to the Terai and to the area that Hodgson would term "the lower and central hilly regions". Green (1981) records the species from the elevation of 1,800 m. in Langtang N.P.

9 The locality "Sun Kosi valley" is not plotted on map 64 owing to the absence of a specific collection site.

I.U.C.N. status.—Least concern (ver. 3.1, 2001)

Year of assessment: 2008.

Suncus stoliczkanus ( Anderson, 1877) MAP No. 65 Anderson's shrew

Crocidura (Pachyura) stoliczkana Anderson, 1877: 270 . Bombay, India.

Records.— Abe (1982): Adhabar.— Mitchell & Punzo (1976): Bahwanipur (ROM 74626) (see note 1).—N.M.N.H.: Rara (Rara Lake) (USNM 399452).

Non-specific records: Insectivore Specialist Group (1996): Nepal.—Mitchell (1975): Nepal.

1 Mitchell & Punzo (1976) state that this is the first substantive record of S. stoliczkanus from Nepal. The authors comment that two specimens were secured "from a thorn brush fence row surrounding a mango grove" and that other small mammals collected in the vicinity "were Mus booduga , M. platythrix [= Mus ? saxicola —see note 2 below], Vandeleuria oleracea , Golunda ellioti , Tatera indica , Millardia meltada , Lepus nigricollis , and Herpestes edwardsi " .

2 Agrawal (2000) regards M. platythrix as an Indian endemic, whose range, accordingly, does not include Nepal. DNA analysis of saxicola reported in Chevret et al. (2003) indicates a strong relationship between that species and M. platythrix (see Musser & Carleton, 2005).

I.U.C.N. status.—Least concern (ver. 3.1, 2001)

Year of assessment: 2008.

Chimarrogale himalayica ( Gray, 1842) MAP No. 66 Himalayan Water shrew

Crossopus himalayicus Gray, 1842: 261 . Chamba, North-eastern Punjab.

Records.— Abe (1982): Kuinibisona (as Chimarrogale platycephala ( Temminck, 1843) —see note 1).—M.V.Z.: 1 mile N. of Num (MVZ 119400—as C. platycephala himalayica ).

Non-specific records: Mitchell (1975) (as C. platycephalis himalayica ( Gray, 1842)) : Nepal (see note 2).

Note.— 1 Harrison (1958) regarded platycephala and himalayica as distinct species, placing the former in the Japanese realm and the latter in the Himalayan regions. Corbet (1978) included platycephala as a subspecies of C. himalayica . Hutterer (2005b) (in accordance with Harrison, 1958) restricts the distribution of Chimarrogale platycephalus (which, he says, is the correct spelling of the specific name) to "Most of the Japanese Isls." It is probable, therefore, that the specimen to which Abe (1982) refers is C. himalayica ( Gray, 1842) and not C. platycephala ( Temminck, 1843) . It is likely that the correct date of Temminck's authorship of the species is 1843 and not 1842, the latter date being given in Ellerman & Morrison-Scott (1951) and Hutterer (2005b). See Mazak (1967: 538–541) for a reasoned analysis of the publication dates of Temminck's mammal volume of Fauna Japonica, which contains the original description of C. platycephala .

2 The correct spelling of the species is deemed to be platycephalus . See note 1, above.

I.U.C.N. status.—Least concern (ver. 3.1, 2001)

Year of assessment: 2008.

Episoriculus caudatus (Horsfield, 1851) MAP No. 67 Hodgson's Brown-toothed shrew

Sorex caudatus Horsfield, 1851: 135 . " Sikim and Darjeling, Upper India ". (See note 1).

Sorex sacratus Thomas, 1911b: 4 [and 1911c: 165]. Omei Shan, Sichuan, 6,000 ft.

Soriculus caudatus soluensis Gruber, 1969: 309 . Ringmo, Solu Province [Solukhumbu District], eastern Nepal.

Records.— Abe (1982) (as Soriculus caudatus ): Chitare; Ghora Tabela; Gorapani (1); Gosainkund (1); Khurumsan; Kyangjin Gompa; Mt. Phulchauki (2); Sheopuri (3); Syng Gomba; Thare Pati; Ulleri.—A.M.N.H. (as Soriculus sacratus ( Thomas, 1911b)) : Lamnang (near) (see caveat to Mus musculus , p. 117) (AMNH 240728—AMNH 240730); Zom Khola (see caveat to Mus musculus , p. 117) (AMNH 240731—AMNH 240743).—B.M.(N.H.) (as Soriculus caudatus caudatus ) (see note 2): Apoon Sottidanda (BM23.11.5.12); Dhorpatan (4) (BM.75102, BM75.103); Lumsum, Dara Khola, Palpa District (BM.75.80—BM75.84, BM75.87); Salimor Khola (BM54.1046); Satthar Hill (BM23.11.5.11); Saure Khola, 8 km.N.N.E. of Ramnagaon, W of Dhaulagiri (BM 75.104); Tarakot, 11,000 ft. (BM.75.88—BM.75.96); Upper Saure Khola, 13 km. N.N.E. of Ramnagaon, W. of Dhaulagiri (BM75.99, BM75.100); Uttar Ganga, 8 km. W. of Dhorpatan (BM.75.105).— Daniel & Hanzák (1985): Barun Valley (as Soriculus caudatus soluensis Gruber, 1969 ) (see note 3).—F.M.N.H. (all as S. c. caudatus ): 3 miles above Bigu (FMNH 94145); 5 miles E. of Jamnagaon (FMNH 94153); 13 km. N.N.E. of Chainpur (FMNH 114231); Balutar (FMNH 114164, FMNH 114232—FMNH 114236, FMNH 114454); Dhukphu (FMNH 142294—FMNH 142296); Gurkha (FMNH 82572 and FMNH 82573); Kasua Khola (1) (FMNH 114237, FMNH 114455—FMNH 114458); Khumjung (1) (FMNH 142288); Kyangchin (FMNH 142282); Melumche (1) (FMNH 142283); Num (near) (3) (FMNH 114149, FMNH 114151, FMNH 114166, FMNH 114225—FMNH 114228, FMNH 114432—FMNH 114436, FMNH 114438—FMNH 114442, FMNH 114444—FMNH 114450); Num (near) (4) (FMNH 114136, FMNH 114138—FMNH 114141, FMNH 114145, FMNH 114157, FMNH 114159— FMNH 114161, FMNH 114229, FMNH 114426—FMNH 114431, FMNH 114451, FMNH 114452); Num (near) (5) (FMNH 114230); Phulung Ghyang (3) (FMNH 104103—FMNH 104106, FMNH 104108); Tarke Ghyang (FMNH 142284—FMNH 142286, FMNH 142289); Tarke Ghyang, west of (FMNH 142290, FMNH 142291); Thare Pati (FMNH 142287, FMNH 142293); Thodung (1) (FMNH 142281).— Fry (1925): Apoon Hill; Apoon Sottidanda; Satthar (all as Soriculus caudatus ).— Green (1981): Langtang N. P. (5) (as Soriculus caudatus ).— Gregori & Petrov (1976): Ne (Barun Valley) (3) (as S. c. soluensis).—H.U. (as Soriculus caudatus caudatus ) (see note 2): Khurumsan (HU A7122); Mt. Phulchauki (3) (HU A7083); Mt. Sheopuri (HU A7084).— Johnson et al. (1980) (as Soriculus caudatus Horsfield, 1851 ) (see notes 4,5,6): Chitre (USNM 290036); Mangalbare (USNM 290037—USNM 290045).— Mekada et al. (2001) (as S. caudatus ) (see note 7): Ghorepani; Shikha.—P.S.M.: Phulung Ghyang (4) (PSM 16606, PSM 16607).—R.O.M.: Dhorpatan (1) (ROM 74688); Dhukphu (ROM 74718, ROM 74719, and ROM 74720); Kalapani (ROM 74741); Khangjung, Langtang Valley (ROM 74707); Khumjung (1) (ROM 74666, ROM 74669, and ROM 74671); Langtang Valley (3) (ROM 74710 and ROM 74711); Lukla, airport (ROM 74676 and ROM 74680); Maharigaon (2) (ROM 74698); Tarke Ghyang (ROM 74595); Thodung (2) (ROM 74732) (all as Soriculus caudatus ).— Sawada & Harada (1995) (as S. caudatus ): Bhaisi Kharka; Gorapani (2); Naya Pul.—U.M.M.Z.: Kashua Khola (UMMZ 122889).— Weigel (1969) (as Soriculus caudatus soluensis ): Bigu (1–6); Deorali (3); Junbesi (3–10); Pike; Ringmo (Solukhumbu District) (2–5); Sirantschok.

Non-specific records: Mitchell (1975) (as S. caudatus caudatus and Soriculus caudatus soluensis Weigel, 1969 — see note 8): Nepal.

Note.— 1 Motokawa et al. (2008) elevate sacratus to specific level based on karyotype analysis and on morphological difference from E. caudatus in size ( sacratus is considered to be smaller). The authors remove soluensis from the synonymy of E. caudatus , also on the basis of size, and place the taxon (in respect of specimens from Nepal and Sikkim) as a subspecies of sacratus .

2 The B.M.(N.H.) and H.U. specimens of (Epi) soriculus caudatus shown above are listed in the appendix to Motokawa & Lin (2005).

3 Daniel & Hanzák (1985) provide detailed descriptions of collecting localities within the Barun Valley. As the authors state that these are often local names that do not appear on contemporary maps, the inclusive locality "Barun Valley" is employed here.

4 Johnson et al. (1980) state: "We consider Soriculus leucops ( Horsfield, 1855) with very similar characters, to be a synonym of S. caudatus ". As the authors identify both leucops and caudatus in this statement, it is assumed that they distinguish sufficiently between them to refer their records to caudatus .

5 Johnson et al. (1980) state that their Nepalese specimens of (Epi) soriculus caudatus and (Epi) soriculus macrurus can be distinguished by the length of the tail and the coloration of the pelage. The authors suggest that caudatus has a tail length of 80–108% of the head and body length whilst in macrurus the tail length is c. 140% of the head and body length. The dorsal coloration of caudatus is described as "a warm dark brown" in contrast to the "cold grey hue" of macrurus .

6 The measurements of USNM specimens are given in Appendix II.

7 Mekada et al. (2001) give external measurements of specimens, which are deposited in the mammal collection of the Laboratory of Animal Management and Resources, Graduate School of Bio-Agricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Japan.

8 The correct authority for soluensis is Gruber, 1969 ( Hutterer, 2005b: 277)

I.U.C.N. status.—Least concern (ver. 3.1, 2001)

Year of assessment: 2008.

Episoriculus leucops ( Horsfield, 1855) MAP No. 68 Indian Long-tailed shrew

Long-tailed Brown-toothed shrew

Soriculus leucops Horsfield, 1855: 111 .?Darjeeling [not Nepal] (see note 1).

Soriculus baileyi Thomas, 1914a: 683 . Tsu River, Mishmi Hills, Assam, 7,500 ft. See note 2.

Soriculus gruberi Weigel, 1969: 170 . South of Mt. Everest, north-eastern Nepal.

Records.— Abe (1982): Gorapani (1) (as Soriculus leucops ); Syabru (as S. leucops ); Syng Gomba (as Soriculus baileyi ).—F.M.N.H. (all as Soriculus leucops leucops ): Num (near) (3) (FMNH 114390—FMNH 114393); Num (near) (4) (FMNH 114147, FMNH 114204).—H.U. (as Soriculus leucops ): Syng Gomba.— Mekada et al. (2001) (as Soriculus leucops ) (see note 3): Ghorepani; Shikha.— Sawada & Harada (1995) (as S. leucops ): Bhaisi Kharka, Gorapani (2).— Weigel (1969) (as Soriculus leucops and S. gruberi ): Junbesi (2–4); Pike; Ringmo (Solukhumbu District) (2).

Non-specific records.—B.M.(N.H.) (as Soriculus leucops ): Nepal (BM.79.11.21.483— holotype: see note 1).— Insectivore Specialist Group (1996): Nepal (as S. leucops ).—Mitchell (1975) (as S. gruberi and S. leucops ): Nepal.

Note.— 1 Hutterer (2005b) states that the type locality of Episoriculus leucops is Nepal, whilst Hinton & Fry (1923) have suggested that the true type locality is "Darjiling", the latter commentators writing that "many species have been added to the Nepal List ... merely upon the basis of specimens in the Hodgson Collection inaccurately labelled ‘Nepal’”. Writing on the Chiroptera of Nepal, Scully (1887) indicates Horsfield's shortcomings in this respect (see the note to Myotis siligorensis , p. 56). Motokawa & Lin (2005) describe the provenance of the holotype of Soriculus leucops in B.M.(N.H.) as " Nepal, no exact locality". The informed view of Hinton & Fry (1923) is followed here.

2 Ellerman & Morrison-Scott (1951) treat baileyi as a subspecies of (Epi) soriculus caudatus but Corbet & Hill (1992) and Hutterer (2005b) do not.

3 Mekada et al. (2001) give external measurements of specimens, which are deposited in the mammal collection of the Laboratory of Animal Management and Resources, Graduate School of Bio-Agricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Japan.

I.U.C.N. status.—Least concern (ver. 3.1, 2001)

Year of assessment: 2008.

Episoriculus macrurus ( Blanford, 1888) MAP No. 69 Long-tailed Mountain shrew

Soriculus macrurus Blanford, 1888 [ 1888 –91]: 231. Darjeeling. See note 1.

Records.—B.M.(N.H.) (as Soriculus macrurus ) (see note 2): Lumsum, Dara Khola, Palpa District (BM.75.106, BM.75.107).—F.M.N.H. (all as Soriculus macrurus macrurus ): 5 miles E. of Jamnagaon (FMNH 94152); Delmara (FMNH 114211); Kasua Khola (1) (FMNH 114208—FMNH 114210); Num (near) (1) (FMNH 114153); Num (near) (3) (FMNH 114150, FMNH 114205—FMNH 114207, FMNH 114437); Num (near) (4) (FMNH 114137, FMNH 114224); Phulung Ghyang (3) (FMNH 104109); Thare Pati (FMNH 142292); Thodung (2) (FMNH 142297).— Johnson et al. (1980) (as Soriculus macrurus —see notes 3,4): Mangalbare (USNM 290034, USNM 290035).— Mekada et al. (2001) (as Soriculus macrurus ) (see note 5): Ghorepani.—R.O.M. (as Soriculus macrurus ): Lukla, airport (ROM 74677 and ROM 74678); Thodung (2) (ROM 74733; Melumche (1) (ROM 74599).

Non-specific records.— Hutterer (2005b): "C. Nepal [to W. and S. China and to N. Burma...]".— Insectivore Specialist Group (1996): Nepal (as Soriculus macrurus ).

Note.— 1 Ellerman & Morrison-Scott (1951) treat macrurus as a subspecies of (Epi) soriculus leucops . Hutterer (2005b) states that there was confusion between leucops and macrurus until the latter taxon was shown to be specifically distinct by Hoffmann (1985).

2 The B.M.(N.H.) specimens of (Epi) soriculus macrurus shown above are listed in the appendix to Motokawa & Lin (2005).

3 See note 5 to Episoriculus caudatus (p. 84) for differences in tail length and pelage coloration between that species and E. macrurus .

4 The measurements of USNM specimens are given in Appendix II.

5 Mekada et al. (2001) give external measurements of specimens, which are deposited in the mammal collection of the Laboratory of Animal Management and Resources, Graduate School of Bio-Agricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Japan.

I.U.C.N. status.—Least concern (ver. 3.1, 2001)

Year of assessment: 2008.

Nectogale elegans Milne-Edwards, 1870 MAP No. 70 Elegant Water shrew

Szechuan Water shrew

Nectogale elegans Milne-Edwards, 1870: 341 . Moupin, Sichuan, China.

Nectogale sikhimensis de Winton [& Styan], 1899: 573. Lathong, 10,000 ft. Sikkim.

Records.—F.M.N.H.: Arun Valley (FMNH 114345); Lumdumsa (FMNH 114165).

Non-specific records.— Hutterer (2005b): Nepal (see note 1).— Insectivore Specialist Group (1996): Nepal. — Mitchell (1975) (as N. e. sikhimensis de Winton, 1899 ): Nepal.

Note.— 1 Hutterer (2005b) states that the species inhabits "Cold mountain streams across the Himalayas [and in W. and C. China]".

I.U.C.N. status.—Least concern (ver. 3.1, 2001)

Year of assessment: 2008.

Soriculus nigrescens ( Gray, 1842) MAP No. 71 Himalayan shrew

Sikkim Large-clawed shrew

Corsira nigrescens Gray, 1842: 261 . Darjeeling, India.

Sorex oligurus Gray, 1863: 8 . Nepal & Tibet. [ Nomen nudum ]. See note 1.

Soriculus nigrescens centralis Hinton, 1922a: 1054 . Bouzini, Nepal.

Records.— Abe (1977): Bokajhunda; Chhona.— Abe (1982): Chitare; Dunche; Ghasa; Ghora Tabela; Gorapani (1); Gosainkund (1); Khurumsan; Kuinibisona; Kyangjin Gompa; Larjung; Mt. Phulchauki (2); Ramche; Sheopuri (3); Syabru; Syng Gomba; Thare Pati; Ulleri.—A.M.N.H. (all as S. n. nigrescens ): Zom Khola (see the caveat to Mus musculus , p. 117) (AMNH 240744—AMNH 240749).— Biswas & Khajuria (1957) (as S. n. centralis): Paré (2); Sattar Hill (see note 2).— Daniel & Hanzák (1985): Barun Valley (as S. n. centralis).—F.M.N.H.: 3 miles above Bigu (FMNH 94146—as S. n. nigrescens ); 4 km. N. of Chyamtang (FMNH 114422, FMNH 114423); 5 miles E. of Jamnagaon (FMNH 94151, FMNH 94156, FMNH 94157, FMNH 94159, FMNH 94160—all as S. n. nigrescens ); 7 miles W. of Bigu (FMNH 94149); Balutar (FMNH 114213, FMNH 114341, FMNH 114342, FMNH 114416— FMNH 114420—all as S. n. nigrescens ); Bouzini (FMNH 82569*, FMNH 82570*.—both as S. n. centralis; see note 3); Delmara (FMNH 114220); Dhorpatan (1) (FMNH 142298, FMNH 142299—both as S. n. nigrescens ); Dhukphu (FMNH 142303, FMNH 142304—both as S. n. nigrescens ); Chyamtang (FMNH 114421, FMNH 114425); Kakani (3) (FMNH 142314—as S. n. nigrescens ); Kalapani (FMNH 142321—as S. n. nigrescens ); Kasua Khola (1) (FMNH 114214—FMNH 114219, FMNH 114221—FMNH 114223—all as S. n. nigrescens ); Kerabari (FMNH 114212, FMNH 114399—FMNH 114401, FMNH 114407—FMNH 114409—all as S. n. nigrescens ); Khumjung (1) (FMNH 142310, FMNH 142316—both as S. n. nigrescens ); Kimatnagka (FMNH 114424); Langtang Village (FMNH 142318—FMNH 142320—all as S. n. nigrescens ); Lukla, airport (FMNH 142311, FMNH 142317—both as S. n. nigrescens ); Maharigaon (2) (FMNH 142300—as S. n. nigrescens ); Mai Pokhari (FMNH 94150—as S. n. nigrescens ); Melumche (1) (FMNH 142305, FMNH 142306, FMNH 142315—all as S. n. nigrescens ); Num (near) (1) (FMNH 1141521, FMNH 1141541 both as S. n. nigrescens ); Num (near) (3) (FMNH 114148, FMNH 114395, FMNH 114398, FMNH 114402—FMNH 114406—all as S. n. nigrescens ); Num (near) (4) (FMNH 114142—FMNH 114144, FMNH 114146, FMNH 114155, FMNH 114156, FMNH 114158, FMNH 114394, FMNH 114397, FMNH 114410, FMNH 114411—all as S. n. nigrescens ); Num (near) (5) (FMNH 114162, FMNH 114396—all as S. n. nigrescens ); Phulung Ghyang (3) (FMNH 104110—FMNH 104117: all as S. n. nigrescens ); Rara Lake (2) (FMNH 142301—as S. n. nigrescens ); Suki Patyl Forest (FMNH 114412—FMNH 114415—all as S. n. nigrescens ); Tarke Ghyang (FMNH 142307—FMNH 142309, FMNH 142312—all as S. n. nigrescens ); Tarke Ghyang, west of (FMNH 142313—as S. n. nigrescens ); Thodung (2) (FMNH 142302—as S. n. nigrescens ); Tserping (FMNH 94143—as S. n. nigrescens ).— Fry (1925): Bouzini (see note 4); Satthar; Sipuri; Tarro Bir (all as S. n. centralis).— Green (1981): Langtang N. P. (5).— Greenwood et al. (1985): Godaveri (1,2) (see note 5).— Gregori & Petrov (1976): Ne (Barun Valley) (1) (as S. n. centralis).— Hinton & Fry (1923): Bouzini (see note 4). —H.Z.M.: Daman (1) (HZM 1.7283 and HZM 2.7284) (both as S. n. centralis —see note 6).— Kaneko & Uchikawa (1988): Pokhara.—P.S.M.: Phulung Ghyang (4) (PSM 15546, PSM 16346, PSM 16604, PSM 16605).— Mekada et al. (2001) (see note 7): Ghorepani.— Newton et al. (1990): Godaveri (2)—R.O.M.: Dhorpatan (1) (ROM 74685); Gosainkund Lakes (ROM 74663); Khumjung (1) (ROM 74667); Melumche (1) (ROM 74600); Rara Lake (ROM 74694); Thare Pati, Uring Ghyang (ROM 74656); Thodung (2) (ROM 74731).— Sawada & Harada (1995): Bhaisi Kharka, Gorapani (2).—U.M.M.Z.: Kashua Khola (UMMZ 122888).— Weigel (1969) (as Soriculus nigrescens centralis ): Bigu (1, 3–6); Deorali (2); Jarsa; Jiri (3); Junbesi (1, 3–10); Lamjura; Paphlu; Pike; Ringmo (Solukhumbu District) (1–5, 7); Sirantschok.

Non-specific records.— Blanford (1888 –91): "Sikhim and Nepal " (see note 8).— Insectivore Specialist Group (1996): Nepal. — Mitchell (1975) (as S. n. nigrescens ): Nepal.— Worth & Shah (1969): Nepal.

Note.— 1 It is almost certainly the case that the specimens that Gray (1863) refers to Sorex oligurus were not collected by B. H. Hodgson in Nepal, as Gray makes the following entry under habitat: "Sikim, May 1856 ". Hodgson left Nepal in the autumn of 1843 and did not return. He did, however, continue his zoological collections in Sikkim and Darjeeling from 1845 until 1858. It is notable that Gray's 1863 catalogue lists specimens acquired by B. H. Hodgson almost excusively after he left Nepal and the reference in the title of the catalogue to "specimens ... of ... mammals ... of Nepal and Tibet" is, therefore, misleading. Scully (1887: 234–235) writes succinctly on the erroneous placement in Nepal of Hodgson's post-1843 material (see also the note to Myotis siligorensis , p. 56).

2 Biswas & Khajuria (1957) report that the specimen from Sattar Hill is retained in the collections of the Zoological Survey of India.

3 For an explanation of the asterisked specimens, see note 5 to Hipposideros armiger , above (p. 32).

4 Hinton & Fry (1923) refer to three specimens collected at Bouzini, one of which is presumably the holotype of centralis (B.M. No. 22-5-16-17) described by Hinton (1922a). The four specimens from Bouzini to which Fry (1925) refers do not replicate the specimens mentioned by Hinton & Fry (1923) as the period in which the specimens were secured for the Bombay Natural History Society's Mammal Survey by Lt. Col. Kennion and N. A. Baptista differs: Hinton & Fry (1923) deal with the period from August, 1920 to March, 1921, whilst Fry (1925) lists specimens taken between May, 1922 and May, 1923. B.M. No. 22-5-16-17 was collected on 1 st January, 1921.

5 Greenwood et al. (1985) comment that specimens were collected at a "stream edge [in] a very moist habitat of ferns and mosses surrounded by mature mixed deciduous forest" (Godaveri (1)) and at the "edge of mixed deciduous woodland in [a] dense herb layer of grasses and ferns" (Godaveri (2)).

6 Measurements of HZM specimens are given in Appendix III.

7 Mekada et al. (2001) give external measurements of specimens, which are deposited in the mammal collection of the Laboratory of Animal Management and Resources, Graduate School of Bio-Agricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Japan.

8 Hinton (1922a) suggests that at the time Blanford was writing, S. nigrescens was known only from Sikkim and Bhutan.

I.U.C.N. status.—Least concern (ver. 3.1, 2001)

Year of assessment: 2008.

Sorex araneus Linnaeus, 1758 MAP No. 72 Common shrew

Sorex araneus Linnaeus, 1758: 53 . " In Europe cryptis " [restricted to Uppsala, Sweden ( Thomas, 1911a)].

Records.— Agrawal & Chakraborty (1971): Khumjung (3) (see note 1).—A.M.N.H.: Shey Gompa (AMNH 238059).—F.M.N.H.: Dhukphu (FMNH 142279).

Non-specific records.—None.

Note.— 1 Agrawal & Chakraborty (1971) give measurements of a single female specimen and provide brief details of body and tail colour. Hoffmann (1987) questions the identity of the specimen, however, suggesting that it may be assignable to Sorex excelsus on the basis of a clear distinction between the specimen's ventral and dorsal coloration and the affinity of its cranial dimensions with the latter species.

I.U.C.N. status.—Least concern (ver. 3.1, 2001)

Year of assessment: 2008.

Sorex bedfordiae Thomas, 1911 MAP No. 73 Lesser Stripe-backed shrew

Lesser Striped shrew

Sorex bedfordiae Thomas, 1911b: 3 [and 1911c: 164]. Omisan, Sichuan, China, 9,500 ft. See note 1.

Sorex cylindricauda nepalensis Weigel, 1969: 167 . Ringmo [Solukhumbu District], north-eastern Nepal, 3,920 m.

Records.—F.M.N.H. (all as S. b. nepalensis Weigel, 1969 , except where stated): Khumjung (1) (FMNH 142280— as S. bedfordiae ); Num (near) (3) (FMNH 114443); Num (near) (5) (FMNH 114453); Phulung Ghyang (3) (FMNH 104107).—R.O.M.: Gosainkund Lakes (ROM 74662); Thare Pati, Uring Ghyang (ROM 74658).— Weigel (1969) (as S. cylindricauda nepalensis ): Junbesi (9, 11, 12); Pike; Ringmo (Solukhumbu District) (7) [holotype of nepalensis ].

Non-specific records.— Insectivore Specialist Group (1996): Nepal.—Mitchell (1975) (as S. c. nepalensis ): Nepal.

Note.— 1 Hutterer (2005b) comments that bedfordiae was regarded formerly as a subspecies of Sorex cylindricauda but was recognised as a distinct species by Corbet (1978) and Hoffmann (1987). See additional remarks in the note to S. cylindricauda (p. 89).

I.U.C.N. status.—Least concern (ver. 3.1, 2001)

Year of assessment: 2008.

* Sorex cylindricauda Milne-Edwards, 1872 MAP No. 74 Stripe-backed shrew

Greater Stripe-backed shrew

Sorex cylindricauda Milne-Edwards, 1872 a: 92. Moupin, western Sichuan, China.

Records (see note).— Abe (1982): Kyangjin Gompa; Gosainkund (1).— Agrawal & Chakraborty (1971): Khumjung (3).

Non-specific records.—Mitchell (1975) (as S. c. cylindricauda ) (see note): Nepal.

Note.— Hutterer (2005b) limits the distribution of S. cylindricauda to "Montane forests of N. Sichuan " (but adds that cylindricauda is sympatric with Sorex bedfordiae in C. Sichuan "). I.U.C.N. (2008) cite Smith & Xie (2008) in restricting the species to China. The specimens to which Abe (1982) and Agrawal & Chakraborty (1971) refer are most probably S. cylindricauda nepalensis Weigel, 1969 ( Hoffmann, 1987 assigns the specimen discussed by Agrawal & Chakraborty, 1971 to Sorex bedfordiae nepalensis ), a species that has now been synonymised with Sorex bedfordiae (see Hutterer, 2005b). Corbet & Hill (1992) state that Sorex bedfordiae "has been included in S. cylindricauda but [is] now generally agreed to be specifically distinct". Indeed, referring to the specimen collected at Khumjung by Mr. R. M. Mitchell, Agrawal & Chakraborty state: "... due to insufficient material it is not now possible to arrive at any definite conclusion as to its taxonomic status". Agrawal & Chakraborty (1971) give measurements of a single female specimen and comment briefly on hind foot colour, tail, and skull morphology. S. cylindricauda is not included in Nepal's faunal list by reason of the extranational distribution accorded the species by Hutterer (2005b) and I.U.C.N. (2008) and of the taxonomic uncertainty that attends the specimens mentioned above.

I.U.C.N. status.—Least concern (ver. 3.1, 2001)

Year of assessment: 2008.

* Sorex excelsus G. M. Allen, 1923 MAP No. 75

Lofty shrew

Chinese Highland shrew

Sorex excelsus G. M. Allen, 1923: 100 :4. " Summit of Ho-shan [ Xue Shan ], Pei-tai [ Pae-tai ], thirty miles [48 km.] south of Chung-tien [Zhongdian], Yunnan, China, altitude 13,000 feet [3,962 m.]".

Records.—See note.

Non-specific records.—None. Note.—There is no substantive record of this species having been collected in Nepal but Hoffmann (1987) suggests that a specimen of Sorex araneus from Khumjung described by Agrawal & Chakraborty (1971) may be referable to S. excelsus based on the clear distinction in ventral and dorsal coloration and on cranial dimensions. See note 1 to Sorex araneus (p. 88).

I.U.C.N. status.—Least concern (ver. 3.1, 2001)

Year of assessment: 2008.

Sorex minutus Linnaeus, 1766 MAP No. 76 Lesser shrew

Eurasian Pygmy shrew

Sorex minutus Linnaeus, 1766: 73 . Barnaul, western Siberia. See note 1.

Sorex pygmaeus Laxmann, 1769: 72 . Barnaul, Siberia.

Records. — Hutterer (1979): Khumbu (Mingbo area); Phulung Karpo ("Tal von Pheriche" [Pheriche Valley], Khumbu); Dhorpatan ("Uttarganga-Tal" [Uttarganga Valley]); 18 miles N.E. of Pokhara (BMNH 55.74—see note 2); R.O.M. (see note 3): Dhorpatan (1) (ROM 74687); Maharigaon (2) (ROM 74700); Lho Mustang (ROM 74752 and ROM 74760) (see note 4); Zethi, Gayling (ROM 74757).

Non-specific records.— Hodgson (1842) (as Sorex pygmaeus ): " Tarai and all three regions of the hills".

Note.— 1 Hutterer (2005b) indicates that the type locality of S. minutus is "Yenisei" [River] but adds that Pavlinov & Rossolimo (1987) restrict the locality to "Krasnoyarskii kr., Krasnoyarsk ". Ellerman & Morrison-Scott (1951) state that the type locality is Barnaul (as given above) and that this is based on Laxmann's manuscript of "Sibirische Briefe".

2 The first authenticated record of Sorex minutus for Nepal was cited in Corbet (1978), who wrote of the species' range simply: " Nepal (specimen in British Museum)". Referring to Corbet's record, Ingles et al. (1980) state that: "This young specimen is B.M.(N.H.) No. 55.74 and was collected by hand in grass by Mr. Hyatt on 18 August 1954 on a ridge about 18 miles N.E. of Pokhara, 28º22.5'N 84º7.5'E between 13,000 and 14,000 ft. "

3 ROM 74687, 74700, 74752, 74757, and 74760, which, together, represent the entirety of Sorex minutus material in the Royal Ontario Museum, are discussed by Hutterer (1979), who gives dental and cranial measurements of the specimens. It is likely that specimen nos. ROM 74687, 74700, 74752, and 74760 are four of the five specimens that Mitchell & Derksen (1976) refer to Sorex minutus thibetanus —those specimens, however, were restricted by Hutterer (1979) to minutus , although the restriction was later relaxed (see note 2 to Sorex thibetanus , p. 91).

4 "Lho" (meaning "south" in Tibetan) is the name given to the northern part of Mustang District, an area with strong geographical and cultural ties with Tibet. The precise co-ordinates and elevation of the collection locality are given in the Gazetteer.

I.U.C.N. status.—Least concern (ver. 3.1, 2001)

Year of assessment: 2008.

Sorex thibetanus Kastschenko, 1905 (see note 1) MAP No. 77 Tibetan shrew

Sorex minutus thibetanus Kastschenko, 1905: 93 . Tsaidam, Chinese central Asia.

Records.— Mitchell & Derksen (1976) (as S. minutus thibetanus Kastschenko, 1905 ): Dhorpatan (2), Maharigaon (1), Mustang (near) (see note 2).

Non-specific records.— Insectivore Specialist Group (1996): Nepal.—Mitchell (1975) (as S. m. thibetanus — see note 3): Nepal.

Note.— 1 Hutterer (2005b) lists Sorex thibetanus as a separate species "until a more complete analysis is available". Hutterer states: " Dolgov and Hoffmann (1977) and later Hoffmann (1987) used thibetanus to define a Himalayan species in which they included ... specimens from Nepal and China reported as minutus by various authors".

2 The Royal Ontario Museum, which houses many specimens collected by R. M. Mitchell during his lengthy period of fieldwork with the Nepal Ectoparasite Program (1966-1970), lists four specimens of S. minutus from the three localities mentioned in Mitchell & Derksen (1976) (Dhorpatan (ROM 74687), Maharigaon (ROM 74700), and Lho Mustang (ROM 74752 and ROM 74760)). It may be that Mitchell collected both thibetanus and minutus at these localities or it may be the case that specimens deemed by Mitchell to be thibetanus were reidentified subsequently as minutus . A precedent for the reidentification of some of Mitchell's material was established by Lim & Ross (1992), who reassigned Mitchell's Nepalese specimens of Alticola stoliczkanus to Cricetulus alticola . Mitchell & Derksen (1976: 56) state clearly, however, that "this is the first record of Sorex minutus thibetanus from Nepal ". The authors give details of the species' dental characters and coloration and comment that specimens were collected in subalpine coniferous forests at Dhorpatan and Maharigaon and in the alpine desert biotope near Mustang. Hutterer (1979) considers the subspecific taxon thibetanus to be a nomen dubium (although the author states later ( Hutterer, 2005b) that this was based on the apparent loss of the thibetanus holotype) and refers the specimens mentioned in Mitchell & Derksen (1976) to minutus . Here, Sorex thibetanus is included tentatively in Nepal's faunal list based on Mitchell & Derksen's assertion of the species' presence in Nepal, the same founded on actual material, and the species' accepted tenancy of the Himalayas ( Hutterer, 2005b) (see Caveat).

3 Mitchell (1975) states that this represents the first collection of the taxon thibetanus in Nepal. He bases this statement either on specimens collected by, or presented to, himself or on records in the literature but no further details are given. It is probable, however, that the record is based on those specimens from Dhorpatan, Maharigaon, and Mustang cited in Mitchell & Derksen (1976) (see note 2, above).

Caveat.—I.U.C.N. (2008), draws attention to “ongoing taxonomic difficulties” with the species and considers S. thibetanus to be an apparent Chinese endemic based on an assessment of the species' distribution by Smith & Xie (2008).

I.U.C.N. status.—Data deficient (ver. 3.1, 2001)

Year of assessment: 2008.

FAMILY TALPIDAE

Euroscaptor micrura (Hodgson, 1841) MAP No. 78 Himalayan mole

Talpa micrurus Hodgson, 1841b: 221 . Central and Northern hilly regions of Nepal. (See notes 1,2).

Records.—F.M.N.H. (as E. m. micrura ): 5 miles E. of Jamnagaon (FMNH 94125; FMNH 94126).

Non-specific records.— Blanford (1888 –91) (as Talpa micrura ): "The south-western Himalayas, especially Nepal..."— Hinton & Fry (1923) (as T. micrura — see note 2): "the Central and Northern hilly regions of Nepal " (see note 1).— Insectivore Specialist Group (1996): Nepal.—M.C.Z. (as T. micrura ): " Nepal frontier" (MCZ 20977).— Mitchell (1975) (as T. m. micrura ): Nepal.

Note.— 1 Ellerman & Morrison-Scott (1951: 39) synonymise Talpa macrura Hodgson, 1858b with Talpa micrura Hodgson, 1841b . However, Corbet & Hill (1992: 28) regard the former taxon as incertae sedis and suggest that the holotype of macrura represents a specimen of Talpa europaea Linnaeus, 1758 "that had been imported into India ". Hutterer (2005b) does not recognise macrura as a synonym either of Euroscaptor micrura or of Talpa europaea .

2 Hinton & Fry (1923) state: "Hodgson sent specimens of this mole home in November 1841. He gives its habitat as the Central and Northern hilly regions of Nepal ".

I.U.C.N. status.—Least concern (ver. 3.1, 2001)

Year of assessment: 2008.