Sorex stizodon Merriam, 1895

Matson, John O. & Ordóñez-Garza, Nicté, 2017, The taxonomic status of Long-tailed shrews (Mammalia: genus Sorex) from Nuclear Central America, Zootaxa 4236 (3), pp. 461-483 : 477

Sorex stizodon Merriam, 1895

Pale-toothed Shrew

Sorex stizodon Merriam, 1895:98 . Type locality “ San Cristobal , Chiapas, Mexico ”.

Holotype. Number 75885, U. S. Nat. Mus., Biological Survey Collection, adult female, skin and skull, collected September 25, 1895 by E. W. Nelson and E. A. Goldman, original number 8473.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality, at 9000 ft elevation.

Diagnosis. Smallest Sorex in NCA. Color of dorsum is rusty brown to reddish brown, venter slightly paler. U3 <U4. Pigment of teeth not the usual red color for Sorex , instead it is pale light orange to yellowish. Brain case slightly inflated with a short rostrum.

Description. Measurements for the holotype (and only specimen) of Sorex stizodon are: TOT 107; Tail 41, HF 153.5; CBL 17.5, GLS 17.9, LR 5.6, LP 6.0, LUT 2.0, LMT 3.5, CB 8.9, WM2 4.2, LIB, 3.4, DB 5.8, LM 5.8, HC 3.1. Compared to other members of the S. salvini group, S. stizodon is absolutely small in all measurements. It has a relatively inflated cranium relative to cranial length.

Ecology. Reviewed by Carraway (2007).

Specimens examined (1). Mexico, Chiapas : San Cristóbal, 9000 ft. (Examined and measured by Neal Woodman).