The Pribilof Island shrew (Sorex hydrodromus or Sorex pribilofensis) is a small, short tailed species of mammal in the family Soricidae (shrews).[3] It is endemic to and found only on Alaska's Pribilof Islands.[3][4] Due to its distinct tricoloured coat, it was originally thought to be related to the Arctic shrew (Sorex arcticus), but it is in fact much closer to the Cinereus shrew (Sorex cinereus) in its geographical distribution and morphological traits.[5] Not much is known about the population size, breeding habits, ecology, and the general biology of the shrew.[3]
| Pribilof Island shrew | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Eulipotyphla |
| Family: | Soricidae |
| Genus: | Sorex |
| Species: | S. hydrodromus
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| Binomial name | |
| Sorex hydrodromus Merriam, 1895
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| Pribilof Island shrew range | |
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| Sorex hydrodromus range | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Sorex pribilofensis | |
Description
editGeneral description
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In the summer months, the shrew's pelage is tricoloured with a brownish back, pale-brownish sides, and a grey underside. In the winter, the shrew's pelage is bicoloured with a brownish back and a grey underside.[3][5] It has a short tail. The length of the shrew ranges from 9.3 to 9.7 cm (3.63 to 3.75 in); its tail length ranging from 3.3 to 4.3 cm (1.25 to 1.63 in); its hind foot length ranging from 1.2 to 1.3 cm (0.5 in).[5] Its weight typically ranges from 4 to 5 grams (0.14 to 0.18 oz).[3] It has a long, slender, pointed snout and has five-clawed toes on both fore- and hind feet.[5]
Skull anatomy
The skull is broad, with a dental pattern similar to the Cinereus shrew (S. cinereus), the Barren ground shrew (S. ugyunak), and the Saint Lawrence Island shrew (S. jacksoni). The first and second unicuspid are similar in size; the third unicuspid is slightly larger or similar in size than the fourth. The fifth unicuspid is very small. It has large incisors compared to shrew species such as Alaska tiny shrew (S. yukonicus).[3] The anterior and posterior tooth cusps (incisors, unicuspids, premolars, molars) have a chestnut-coloured tip distinctive of the 33 species of North American shrews.[5][6]
Distribution
editThe Pribilof Island shrew is found exclusively on the Saint Paul Island of the Pribilof Islands, just west of Alaska, in the Bering Sea.[3][5] It is endemic to the Pribilof Islands, however there is some confusion of its type locality. The shrew has been found in marshy habitats dominated by Leymus arenarius (lyme grass).[3][7]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Matson, J. (2018). "Sorex pribilofensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T20391A22314622. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T20391A22314622.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
- ^ "NatureServe Explorer 2.0".
- ^ a b c d e f g h MacDonald, S. O. (22 May 2023). The Small Mammals of Alaska (PDF). p. 5.
- ^ "Wildlife Notebook Series: Shrews". Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
- ^ a b c d e f Knopf, Alfred A. (2000). National Audubon Society Field Guide to Mammals of North America. Japan: National Audubon Society. pp. 278, 279, 280, 287, 288. ISBN 0-679-44631-1.
- ^ "Soricidae". www.utep.edu. Retrieved 2024-02-17.
- ^ "Beach Rye, Beach Grass, Lyme Grass". Alutiiq Museum and Archaeological Repository. Retrieved 2024-02-17.