Gansu shrew
| Gansu shrew[1] | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Eulipotyphla |
| Family: | Soricidae |
| Genus: | Sorex |
| Species: | S. cansulus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Sorex cansulus Thomas,1912
| |
| |
| Gansu shrew range | |
TheGansu shrew(Sorex cansulus) is ared-toothed shrewfound only in a small part ofGansuprovince and other adjacent areas ofChina.With its very limited range, it is sensitive tohabitat lossand is listed as a "vulnerable species"in the ChineseRed List,while theIUCNlists it as being "data deficient"
Taxonomy
[edit]The Gansu shrew was first described in 1912 by the British zoologistOldfield Thomas,who named itSorex cansulus.It closely resemblesLaxmann's shrew(Sorex caecutiens), a common species with a wide range, and there were doubts as to the validity of the species. However, the discovery more recently of other locations where it appears to co-exist withS. caecutienslends support to the validity of the species.[2]
Description
[edit]The Gansu shrew has a head-and-body length of 62 to 64 mm (2.4 to 2.5 in), with a tail of 38 to 43 mm (1.5 to 1.7 in). The hind foot measures 12 mm (0.5 in). The dorsal fur is greyish-brown with buff flanks and hazel-coloured underparts. Both the fore feet and the hind feet are brownish-white. The upper side of the tail is dark brown while the underside is paler.[3]
Distribution
[edit]The Gansu shrew isendemicto the province ofGansuin central China, where it is found at altitudes between about 2,600 and 3,000 m (8,500 and 9,800 ft). At one time known only from two sites in the immediate vicinity of thetype localityin southern Gansu, it has since been recorded additionally from the southwestern part of the province, close to the border withQinghaiprovince, and from a single location in the east of theTibet Autonomous Region.[2]
Status
[edit]TheInternational Union for Conservation of Naturedoes not have enough information on this species to rate its conservation status, and has listed it as being "data deficient".[2]It is listed as "vulnerable"in the ChineseRed List.[3]
References
[edit]- ^Hutterer, R. (2005).Wilson, D.E.;Reeder, D.M. (eds.).Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference(3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 286.ISBN978-0-8018-8221-0.OCLC62265494.
- ^abcdJohnston, C.; Smith, A.T. (2016)."Sorex cansulus".IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.2016:e.T20383A22318966.doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T20383A22318966.en.Retrieved19 November2021.
- ^abSmith, Andrew T.; Xie, Yan (2013).Mammals of China.Princeton University Press. p. 205.ISBN978-1-4008-4688-7.