Greater white-toothed shrew

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Greater white-toothed shrew[1]

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Eulipotyphla
Family: Soricidae
Genus: Crocidura
Species:
C. russula
Binomial name
Crocidura russula
(Hermann, 1780)

The greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula) is a small

teeth which are unpigmented.[7]

Physical description

C. russula

The greater white-toothed shrew is distinguished by a careful examination of its unpigmented teeth. Like other white-toothed shrews, C. russula lacks the deposition of iron in their enamel at the tips of their teeth.[8] This particular species has a greyish or reddish brown upper coat with a yellowish grey coat in the underside.[9] The greater white-toothed shrews are part of the medium-sized shrews and weigh around 11 to 14 grams.[3] The head and body length of C. russula is about 6 to 9 cm and the tail length averages to about 3 to 4.3 cm.[3]

Habitat

C. russula are found in temperate regions with plentiful insects. They are generally found in habitats such as

agricultural areas. To prepare for colder seasons, these shrews can be found living near farms and gardens.[3] The greater white-toothed shrews tend to build their nest under stones, logs and in abandoned burrows. Typically these shrews are found in elevations below 1000 meters.[3]

Diet

The greater white toothed shrew is a carnivore, feeding mainly on invertebrates and occasionally small rodents, lizards and small amphibians.[3]

Predation

The greater white-toothed shrew is preyed upon by several animals;

Cryptic coloration is also used as an effective method to avoid predation.[10]

Behavior

The greater white-toothed shrews are classified as semi-social mammals. During winter, C. russula are found sharing nests and enter torpor.

vibrissae allow the shrews to find their way around their environment.[12] There have not been any concrete reports on the modes of communication used by this species, however, vocalization and tactile and chemical cues are likely to be used.[12]

Reproduction

The greater white-toothed shrew typically experiences one breeding season in its entire lifetime, whereby

parturition.[3] C. russula breed mainly from March to September, producing about four litters which can contain anywhere from 2 to 10 young. The sexual maturity in this species is fairly quick. The litters remain in their parental territory till the next breeding season.[3]

Life span

C. russula has a lifespan of about 18 months in the wild, but can survive for 30 months in captivity under laboratory conditions.[13]

Role in the ecosystem

C. russula serves as a prey species to many animals, however, an abundance in this species may lead to a decline in other small mammals such as pygmy shrews. In April 2008, the greater white-toothed shrew was discovered in

nonnative mammal could threaten some of the smaller native species, such as the Eurasian pygmy shrew.[14]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Crocidura russula.
  1. OCLC 62265494
    .
  2. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T29652A197503499.en
    . Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  3. ^
    S2CID 198155850
    .
  4. ^ David R Stone (1995). "Eurasian Insectivores and Tree Shrews- Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan". Archived from the original on 2014-12-26. Retrieved 2011-11-28.
  5. ^ Molina, O. et al. (2003) "The origin of the Osorian shrew (Crocidura osorio) from Gran Canaria resolved using mtDNA". Italian Journal of Zoology, Volume 70, Issue 2
  6. ^
    ISBN 84-273-0265-7
    .
  7. ISBN 978-0-8018-5789-8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link
    )
  8. ISBN 978-0852639511
    .
  9. ^ Morris, P. A red data book for the British Mammals. The Mammal Society, London.
  10. ^
    PMID 28565220
    .
  11. S2CID 54320480
    .
  12. ^
    PMID 19535367
    .
  13. PMID 19526053
    .
  14. ^ a b "For Good Or Ill, Ireland Gains Another Mammal Species". Science Daily. 2008-04-28. Retrieved 2008-05-07.
  15. PMID 24955824
    .
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