Order: Insectivora
Family: Soricidae
Shrews are a highly successful group of insectivores, comprising the third most speciose mammal family (Soricidae). They occur throughout most of the world, with the exception of Australasia and much of South America. They are often portrayed as “primitive” animals; indeed, the earliest mammals are often portrayed as shrew-like. However, soricids are a relatively modern group. The earliest shrew fossils have been found in North America from the middle Eocene (45 million years ago). They are known from Asia and Europe from the early Oligocene (34 million years ago), and in Africa from the middle Miocene (14 million years ago).
The Soricidae is divided into two sub-families: the Crocidurinae (white-toothed shrews) and the Soricinae (red-toothed shrews). Red-toothed shrews are so-called because their teeth have a reddish appearance because of a deposition of iron in the outer layer of enamel, which may increase resistance to wear.
Soriculus salenskii is a member of the Soricinae. Establishing the relationships between different shrew genera has proved difficult, because shrews show conservative dentition and skeletal morphology.
Size: Head and body length: 53-96 mm
Tail length: 38-120 mm
Tail length: 38-120 mm
Weight: 5 g
This small shrew has a long pointed nose and long whiskers. Its soft, dense fur is black at the base with grey tips. The colouration is darker on the rump and paler on the underside. The ears are a blackish-brown colour.
Very little is known about the ecology of this species, as it is known only from a single specimen.
Asiatic shrews inhabit mainly damp areas in forests, thickets and cultivated fields.
The species is only known from a single specimen, which was found in northern Sichuan Province, western China. Other Asian shrew specimens were originally assigned to S. salenskii, but have now been interpreted as representing different species of shrews, such as S. parca and S. smithii. The species has also been reported from the Qinghai-Xizang plateau area in western China, but the taxonomic status of these individuals has not been confirmed.
Unknown.
Classified as Critically Endangered (CR B1+2c) on the 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
This species is known from a small area of declining habitat.
There are no conservation measures in place.
The IUCN/SSC Insectivore, Tree Shrew and Elephant Shrew Specialist Group regards this species as a high priority for conservation attention. It recommends surveys to determine the status of this little known species.
Insectivore Specialist Group. 1996. Soriculus salenskii. In: IUCN 2006. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 09 August 2006.
Nowak, R.M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Sixth edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore and London.
Stone, D. (Compiler). 1996. Eurasian Insectivores and Tree Shrews: Status, Survey and Conservation Action Plan. IUCN/SSC Insectivore, Tree Shrew and Elephant Shrew Specialist Group. IUCN, Gland, Switerzland.
Zheng, C. and Wang, S. 1985. On the insectivore fauna of Qinghai-Xizang (Chinhai-Tibetan) Plateau, China. Acta Theriologica Sinica 5(1): 35-40.
Distribution map based on data provided by the IUCN Global Mammal Assessment.
Nowak, R.M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Sixth edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore and London.
Stone, D. (Compiler). 1996. Eurasian Insectivores and Tree Shrews: Status, Survey and Conservation Action Plan. IUCN/SSC Insectivore, Tree Shrew and Elephant Shrew Specialist Group. IUCN, Gland, Switerzland.
Zheng, C. and Wang, S. 1985. On the insectivore fauna of Qinghai-Xizang (Chinhai-Tibetan) Plateau, China. Acta Theriologica Sinica 5(1): 35-40.
Distribution map based on data provided by the IUCN Global Mammal Assessment.
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