About the presence of Crocidura suaveolens group (Soricomorpha, Soricidae) on Astipalaia Island (Dodecanese, Greece)

Abstract

The presence of Crocidura sp. on Astipalaia Island was shown, for the first time, in the nineties of the twentieth century. After the re-examination of the already available specimens and the analysis of the more recent material, it emerged that this insular shrew population refers to Crocidura suaveolens group. The presence of this taxon is also reported for the neighboring island of Amorgos. The presence of Crocidura suaveolens group in the Mediterranean islands is a result of Pleistocene survivors as well as human introductions, a both morphometric and genetics investigation on these specimens is deserving of further insights.

Keywords

• Crocidura suaveolens
• Astipalaia
• Eastern Mediterranean
• biogeography