Crocidura elongata G. S. Miller &amp; Hollister 1921
Creators: name: Mittermeier, Russell A.
name: Wilson, Don E.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2018
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Chordata
Mammalia
Soricomorpha
Soricidae
Crocidura
Crocidura elongata

description: 294. Elongated White-toothed Shrew <i>Crocidura elongata</i> <b>French:</b> Crocidure élancée / <b>German:</b> Schlanke Weif3zahnspitzmaus / <b>Spanish:</b> Musarana alargada <b>Other common names:</b> Elongated Shrew, Sulawesi Long-tailed Shrew <b>Taxonomy.</b> Crocidura elongata G. S. Miller &amp; Hollister, 1921, Temboan (SW from Tondano Lake), north-eastern Sulawesi, Indonesia. Because of deep molecular divergences (2-12% sequence divergence at the cytochrome-b gene), significant karyological differences, and lack of genetic admixture among some pairs of populations, C. elongata likely comprises a complex of several distinct species. It is part of the strongly supported “Old Sulawesian” clade of shrews that evolved from an ancient (Miocene) colonization from the Sunda Shelfto the island of Sulawesi. Other shrews in this ancient radiation include the Sulawesian endemics C. lea, C. levicula, C. rhoditis, and C. musseri but not C. nigripes (evolved from a more recent colonization event). Monotypic. <b>Distribution.</b> Endemic to Sulawesi; most widespread shrew on the island, present in most parts except on the SW peninsula where only the Temboan White-toothed Shrew (C. rhoditis) have been recorded so far. <b>Descriptive notes.</b> Head-body 80-88 mm, tail 111-120 mm, ear 9-5 mm, hindfoot 18-2-20-1 mm; weight 9-7-12-5 g. The Elongated White-toothed Shrew is mediumsized, with a remarkably long tail, more than 130% of head-body length. It has long hindlegs, protruding ears, and very long and numerous vibrissae on its face. It is similar, but phylogenetically unrelated, to other scansorial shrews such as the Sumatran Long-tailed White-toothed Shrew (C. paradoxura), the Sri Lankan White-toothed Shrew (C. miya), and the Climbing Shrew (Suncus megalurus). Pelage of the Elongated White-toothed Shrew is also unusual among South-east Asian species of Crocidura; it is slate-gray to gray-brown, with whitish underparts. High-elevation individuals have dense fur, but those from lower elevations are less densely furred. Feet are also lightcolored and finely covered with short whitish hairs. Tail is essentially naked and devoid of long bristle hairs. Chromosomal complementvaries between lowland (2n = 34 and FN = 62) and highland (2n = 30 and FN = 56) forms. These unique chromosomal counts are not explained by simple Robertsonian rearrangements and support the hypothesis of a species complex in the Elongated White-toothed Shrew. <b>Habitat.</b> Lowland evergreen rainforests to moss forests covering highest summits from near sea level up to elevations of at least 2600 m. The Elongated White-toothed Shrew occurs in primary and secondary forests and a variety of more scrubby vegetation. Its long tail, long legs, and slender body suggests a scansorial mode of living, and it was observed climbing in low trees and shrubs. <b>Food and Feeding.</b> The Elongated White-toothed Shrew eats invertebrates, but no precise data are available. <b>Breeding.</b> No information. <b>Activity patterns.</b> The Elongated White-toothed Shrew is apparently mostly nocturnal. <b>Movements, Home range and Social organization.</b> The Elongated White-toothed Shrew is found in sympatry with 4-5 other species of Crocidura, but no precise data on its natural history are available. <b>Status and Conservation.</b> Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Elongated White-toothed Shrew is widespread and common in a variety of habitats. Nevertheless, because it is most likely an aggregate of several undiagnosed, cryptic species, this status must be seriously revised when new taxonomic revisions become available. Elongated White-toothed shrews are present in several national parks of Sulawesi. <b>Bibliography.</b> Cassola (2016ae), Demos et al. (2016), Eldridge et al. (2018), Esselstyn &amp; Brown (2009), Esselstyn et al. (2009), Hutterer (2005b), Miller &amp; Hollister (1921), Musser (1987), Ruedi (1995, 1996), Ruedi &amp; Vogel (1995), Ruedi et al. (1998).
description: Published as part of <i>Russell A. Mittermeier &amp; Don E. Wilson, 2018, Soricidae, pp. 332-551 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 8 Insectivores, Sloths and Colugos, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions</i> on pages 499-500, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6870843