Asian House Shrew – Suncus murinus

Suncus murinusLinnaeus, 1766

Accepted name, Mammal Species of the World 2005

A highly variable species with a number of genetically distinct populations that almost behave like semispecies (Hasler et al., 1977; Rogatcheva et al., 2000; Yamagata et al., 1987; Yoshida, 1985). Chromosomes show Robertsonian polymorphism and vary geographically from 2n = 30 to 2n = 40 (Yosida, 1985). Forms with lower numbers are found in S India, Sri Lanka and peninsular Malaya. A number of laboratory strains have been established (Oda et al., 1985). Much of the present distribution is the result of human agency (Hutterer and Tranier, 1990). A clear allocation of all listed taxa to subspecies is not possible at this moment. Kitchener et al. (1994b) discussed subspecies in the Sunda Isls and recognized murinus, muelleri and seramensis as distinct. However, they did not consider names such as edwardsiana from S Philippines that may have priority. African synonyms include albicauda, auriculata, crassicaudus, duvernoyi, l... [truncated]

• Wilson, D and Reeder, D. (eds.) 2005. Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. 3rd ed. -- 2142 pp. Johns Hopkins University Press.