130.

Ecuadorean Small-eared Shrew

Cryptotis equatoris

French: Musaraigne d'Equateur / German: EcuadorKleinohrspitzmaus / Spanish: Musarana de orejas pequenas de Ecuador

Taxonomy. Blarina equatoris Thomas, 1912, “ Sinche, Guabanda [= Guaranda], 4000 m,” Bolivar, Ecuador.

Cryptotis equatoris is in the C. thomasi group based on morphology, but it has not been included in any phylogenetic studies. C. osgoodi was previously included as a synonym or subspecies of C. equatoris but is now recognized as a distinct species based on morphometrics. It probably represents a species complex, and additional

research is needed. Monotypic.

Distribution. W foothills of Andes of N & C Ecuador.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 56-81 mm, tail 29-34 mm, hindfoot 12-15 mm; weight 6-10 g. The Ecuadorean Small-eared Shrew is medium-sized, with relatively long tail (much longer than Osgood’s Small-eared Shrew, C. osgoodi). Dorsum is dark blackish brown, and venter is somewhat paler. Forefeet are somewhat more slender than in other species of the C. thomasi group and have long pointed claws. Tail is relatively long (49% of head-body length), unicolored brownish, and covered with short hairs. Eyes are diminutive, and ears are small and barely visible under fur. Fourth unicuspid is relatively large (although shorter than in Osgood’s Small-eared Shrew) and visible in lateral view of skull. Zygomatic plate is wide, and palatal bone is broad compared with in Osgood’s Small-eared Shrew. Teeth are reddish and there are four unicuspids.

Habitat. Apparently wet montane tropical forest and paramo at elevations of 1675 4055 m. There are reports of the Ecuadorean Small-eared Shrew in pastureland and secondary habitats.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. No information.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Ecuadorean Small-eared Shrew ranges from uncommon to frequently captured, although its distribution is relatively small and might be more restricted if it turns out to be a species complex. It is apparently tolerant of habitat modification.

Bibliography. Lee et al. (2008), Moreno & Albuja (2014), Vivar et al. (1997), Woodman (2016), Woodman & Péfaur (2008).