Suncus etruscus (Soricomorpha, Soricidae): A new species for Elba Island (Tuscan Archipelago, Italy)

Abstract

The following study contains a report regarding the first record of presence of Suncus etruscus on the island of Elba. We considered original and literature data obtained from the analysis of Barn owl (Tyto alba) pellets. Three roosts located in different areas of Elba (Marciana: Colle d'Orano-Patresi; Campo nell'Elba: La Grotta; Portoferraio: Casa Rossa) have been monitored since 1968. The presence of the Pygmy white-toothed shrew has only been observed at one roost (Casa Rossa) since 2004. We performed a biometrical analysis of 15 skull characters on 67 specimens of 'S. etruscus. From the results, we conclude that a colonization of the island by S. etruscus is in progress, but long-term monitoring is needed in order to control the status of the population.