Sorex salvini Merriam, 1897

Salvin’s Shrew

Sorex salvini Merriam, 1897:229 . Type locality: “Calel, Totonicapan [sic], Guatemala (alt., 10200 ft. = 3100 meters).”

Sorex godmani Merriam, 1897:229 . Type locality: “Volcano Santa Maria, Quezaltenango [sic], Guatemala (alt., 9000 ft. = 2740 meters).

Sorex saussurei godmani: Jackson, 1928:158

Sorex saussurei salvini: Jackson, 1928: 159

Sorex salvini: Woodman et al. 2012: 214

Holotype. Number 77035, U. S. Nat. Mus., Biological Survey Collection; adult, female, skin and skull; collected January 12, 1896, by E. W. Nelson and E. A. Goldman, original number 9 0 57.

Distribution. Highlands of northwestern, central, and eastern Guatemala.

Diagnosis. Sorex salvini is a member of the Sorex salvini species group. It is the largest of this species group in body measurements (except for S. sclateri), but is intermediate in skull size (Table 1). The color of the dorsum is more gray/brown than in S. cristobalensis, about the same color below; tail is gray/brown above, slightly paler below. Specimens from Yaiquich, Huehuetenango, are more chocolate brown, as is a topotype (USNM 77071). U3 is usually taller than U4, but the type specimen has U3 = U4.

Description. The body size of S. salvini averages larger than in S. cristobalensis, S. mccarthyi, or S. stizodon, but smaller than S. sclateri . The skull averages smaller in most measurements than in S. cristobalensis or S. sclateri, but larger than in S. mccarthyi or S. stizodon . Sorex salvini has a relatively short mandible, longer toothrow, and shorter rostrum compared to S. cristobalensis and S. mccarthy i.

Ecology. Sorex salvini is found in broad-leaved and coniferous cloud forests of Alta Verapaz, Huehuetenango, Quetzaltenango, and Totonicapán. Depending upon the mountain range, known small mammal associates include Cryptotis mam, C. lasertosus, C. oreoryctes, Habromys lophurus, Handleyomys saturatior, Heteromys desmarestianus, Marmosa mexicana, Microtus guatemalensis, Nyctomys sumichrasti, Oligoryzomys fulvescens, Peromyscus beatae, P. grandis, P. guatemalensis, P. mayensis, Reithrodontomys microdon, R. sumichrasti, R. tenuirostris, Scotinomys teguina, and Sorex veraepacis (Carleton & Huckaby 1975; Woodman 2010, Woodman 2011b; Matson et al. 2014). Nothing is known about its reproductive habits.

Specimens examined (14). Guatemala, Alta Verapaz: Finca Chinaux, Campamento de los Helechos, 2040 m (CM 120109 – 120110) ; Huehuetenango: San Mateo Ixtatán, Cerro Bobí (USAC 26) ; San Mateo Ixtatán, Aldea Chiloala Zum (USAC 27) ; Todos Santos (USNM 77023) ; Yiaquich, 4 km NW Sta Eulalia, San Mateo Ixtatán, 2950 m (UMMZ 117849–117850) ; Quiche: Chimel Grande, 12.6 km N, 9 km E Uspantan, 2490 m, 15.46208 N, 90.78811 W (MVZ 226939) ; Quetzaltenango: Volcán Santa María 9000 ft. (USNM 77044–77046) ; 4 km SE Zunil (Finca la Chingada) 2720 m (USNM 569591) ; Totonicapán, Calel, 10,200 ft. (USNM 77035, 77071) .