New karyotypes of shrews (Mammalia: Soricidae) from Cameroon and Somalia

Abstract

Chromosomal data are presented for 11 species of African shrews collected during field studies in Cameroon and Somalia. The karyotypes of Sylvisorex johnstoni, S. isabellae, S. ollula, Crocidura attila, C. batesi, C. greenwoodi, C. parvipes, C. picea, and C. yankariensis are reported for the first time. The karyotype of Sylvisorex johnstoni (2n = 30, FN = 38) represents one of the lowest and that of Crocidura yankariensis (2n = 68, FN = 122) the highest diploid numbers so far reported for an African shrew. The rare Crocidura picea has been rediscovered in the Cameroon highlands, from whence the species was known only by the holotype since 1940.