Cryptotis meridensis Thomas 1898

Wilson, Don E. & Reeder, DeeAnn, 2005, Order Soricomorpha, Mammal Species of the World: a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3 rd Edition), Volume 1, Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, pp. 220-311 : 272

Cryptotis meridensis Thomas 1898

Cryptotis meridensis Thomas 1898 , Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 7, 1: 457.

Type Locality: Venezuela, Merida, alt. 2165 m.

Vernacular Names: Merida Small-eared Shrew.

Distribution: Venezuela; cloud forest and páramo in the Cordillera de los Andes in Trujillo, Mérida, and E Táchira; probably also mountains near Caracas, Venezuela, see Tello (1979).

Conservation: IUCN – Lower Risk (lc).

Discussion: C. thomasi group. This species was commonly included in thomasi ( Handley, 1976; Eisenberg, 1989) but is much larger and has a more robust dentition. Choate (pers. comm., 1983) and Hutterer (1986 d) therefore considered meridensis a valid species, an action followed by Vivar et al. (1997) and Woodman (1996). Specimens from Páramo de Tamá previously referred to meridensis have been described as a new species, C. tamensis , by Woodman (2002). A specimen from coastal highlands near Caracas reported by Ojasti and Mondolfi (1968) will require a detailed study.