Family SORICIDAE
Compiler and date details
31 December 1998 - B.J. Richardson (1999), Centre for Biostructural and Biomolecular Research, University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury
Introduction
Insectivores, which include the soricids, or shrews, are numerous and widespread small predators found throughout Eurasia. The Soricidae consists of 23 genera and over 300 species. They have short, pentadactyl limbs and very elongate snouts. The taxonomic status of the family is confused, with the number and distribution of species and subspecies quite unclear.
A single variety of shrew has been described from Christmas Island. It is extinct and its status uncertain. It is included here for nomenclatural completeness.
References
Yates, T.L. 1984. Insectivores, elephant shrews, tree shrews, and dermopterans. pp. 117-144 in Anderson, S. & Jones, J.K. Jr (eds). Orders and Families of Recent Mammals of the World. New York : John Wiley & Son xii 686 pp.