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]
Description
General description
Sorex cinereus, the Cinereus shrew, of which the Pribilof Island shrew is closest morphologically.
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]
Diagram of shrew maxilla and mandible. i denotes the incisors, c denotes the unicuspids, P denotes the premolars, m denotes the molars. Note that this is not the specific diagram of the Pribilof Island shrew dentition.
^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.
^ abcdefghMacDonald, S. O. (22 May 2023). The Small Mammals of Alaska(PDF). p. 5.
^"Wildlife Notebook Series: Shrews". Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
^ abcdefKnopf, 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.
