Sorex cristobalensis Jackson, 1925

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 : 475

Sorex cristobalensis Jackson, 1925

Cristobal Shrew

Sorex saussurei cristobalensis Jackson, 1925: 129 . Type locality: “San Cristobal, altitude 8,400 feet, State of Chiapas, Mexico.” Sorex veraecrucis cristobalensis: Carraway, 2007: 62 .

Sorex salvini cristobalensis: Ramírez-Pulido et al. 2014: 48

Holotype. Number 75883, U. S. National Museum, Biological Survey Collection; adult female, skin and skull; taken September 19, 1895, by E. W. Nelson and E. A. Goldman, original number 8429. Measurements for the holotype are: Tot, 116; Tail, 46.5; HF, 13.5; CBL17.8; GLS, 18.4; LR, 7.43; PL, 7.88; LUT, 2.63; LMT, 4.73; CB, 8.43; widWM2, 4.93; LIB, 3.79; CD, 5.33; LM, 7.32; HC, 3.55. The type specimen has the U3 is subequal in size to the 4th.

Distribution. Known from three localities in Chiapas, México, ( Carraway 2007; Hall 1981).

Diagnosis. Sorex cristobalensis is a member of the Sorex salvini species group. It is the largest of the species group south of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec ( Table 1 ). The color of the pelage is a dull Clove Brown above, slightly paler ventrally, tail slightly bicolor. Specimens from near El Triunfo, Chiapas, have a more reddish brown dorsum. Usually, U3 is taller than U4.

Description. Sorex cristobalensis averages larger in most skull measurements compared to S. salvini ( Table 1 ). The S. cristobalensis has a relatively wider and longer rostrum than S. salvini . Compared to the new species from Honduras, S. cristobalensis has a greater maxillary toothrow length. Sorex cristobalensis has a much longer rostrum than S. stizodon . It is smaller in all measurements than S. sclateri .

Ecology. Sorex cristobalensis is high elevation species. Carraway (2007) reviewed the ecology. Reproductive information is lacking.

Specimens examined (5). México Chiapas: El Triunfo, 10 km SSE Finca Prusia, ca. 1900 m ( LACM 74152– 74154 ) ; 9 mi S.E., 10 mi N.E. Tonalá (on tag); modified by Carraway (2007:62) to “ 9 mi SE Tonalá (to vicinity of Finca Ocuilapa), then approximately 10 mi (by trail) NE of that point ( LACM 18709 )”, not shown on map, Figure 1 ; San Cristóbal, 8400 ft ( USNM 75883 ) .

Figures

FIGURE 1. Map of Nuclear Central America (southern Mexico and northern Central America) indicating the sample localities from which specimens of Sorex were examined. Only 36 localities are shown since several of the 53 recorded localities overlap on the map. The 1,000 - m contour is shown.