Australian Biological Resources Study

Australian Faunal Directory

Museums

Regional Maps

Family SORICIDAE


Compiler and date details

December 2010 - Updated following van Dyck & Strahan (2008)

31 December 1998 - B.J. Richardson (1999), Centre for Biostructural and Biomolecular Research, University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury

Introduction

Insectivores, which include the soricids, or shrews, are numerous and widespread small predators found throughout Eurasia. The Soricidae consists of 23 genera and over 300 species. They have short, pentadactyl limbs and very elongate snouts. The taxonomic status of the family is confused, with the number and distribution of species and subspecies quite unclear.

A single variety of shrew has been described from Christmas Island. It is extinct and its status uncertain. It is included here for nomenclatural completeness.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
14-Dec-2010 14-Dec-2010 MODIFIED
12-Feb-2010 (import)