Tundra Shrew – Sorex tundrensis

Sorex tundrensisMerriam, 1900

Accepted name,

Subgenus Sorex, S. tundrensis group (Fumagalli et al., 1999). Youngman (1975) provided evidence that tundrensis is specifically distinct from arcticus. Palearctic populations formerly referred to arcticus were included in tundrensis by Junge et al. (1983) and Okhotina (1983). Hoffmann (1987) and van Zyll de Jong (1991b) discussed additional aspects of its taxonomy and distribution. Karyotype variable: 2n = 31-41, FN 56-60 in Siberia, 2n = 32/33, FN = 58 in Yukon, and 2n = 32/33, FN = 62 in C Alaska. Kozlovsky (1976) found irkutensis and sibiriensis to be karyotypically distinct; possibly two sibling species occur throughout the Palearctic range. Meylan and Hausser (1991) described a karyotype from Canada that was identical to some in Siberia.