Cryptotis medellinius Thomas 1921

128.

Medellin Small-eared Shrew

Cryptotis medellinius

French: Musaraigne de Medellin / German: Medellin-Kleinohrspitzmaus / Spanish: Musarana de orejas pequenas de Medellin

Other common names: Medellin Shrew

Taxonomy. Cryptotis medellinius Thomas, 1921,

“ San Pedro, 30 km. north of Medellin,” Antioquia, Colombia.

Cryptotis medellinius is in the C. thomas: group based on morphology, but it has not been included in any phylogenetic studies. Monotypic.

Distribution. N tip of W Andes and N onehalf of C Andes of WC Colombia.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 77-98 mm, tail 29-46 mm, hindfoot 15 mm; weight 15-5-17 g. The Medellin Small-eared Shrew is very large. Dorsum is dark brownish, with lighter brownish gray venter. Forefeet are somewhat enlarged and robust, with long pointed claws. Tail is relatively long (47% of head-body length), unicolored brownish, and covered with short hairs. Eyes are diminutive, and ears are small and barely visible under fur. Compared with Thomas’s Small-eared Shrew (C. thomasi), the Medellin Small-eared Shrew has slightly broader rostrum, more inflated braincase, broader palate, more bulbous upper dentition, higher coronoid process, and absent entoconid in talonid of M,. Fourth unicuspid is small and barely visible in lateral view of skull. Teeth are reddish, and there are four unicuspids.

Habitat. Andean lower to high-montane rainforests at elevations of 2000-3800 m. The Medellin Small-eared Shrew has been found in areas dominated by Alnus acuminata (Betulaceae) and Pinus (Pinaceae) and can apparently be found in primary and secondary habitats.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. lactating Medellin Small-eared Shrews have been captured in February, and a pregnant female with two embryos was captured in October.

Activity patterns. No information.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List (as C. medellinia). The Medellin Small-eared Shrew has a relatively restricted distribution but is apparently somewhat resistant to habitat degradation in small amounts and is not

currently facing major threats. It has been found in various nature reserves, including San Sebastian-La Castellana Reserve.

Bibliography. Naylor & Roach (2016a), Vivar et al. (1997), Woodman (2002), Woodman & Péfaur (2008), Woodman et al. (2003).