Revision of the Shrews Sorex merriami and a Description of a New Species of the Subgenus Sorex

Abstract

One hundred and five specimens of S. merriami, including old and new records, were analyzed for nongeographic and geographic variation. Sorex merriami is monotypic. Comparisons of S. merriami with some specimens previously referred to S. vagrans from southern Arizona documents the presence of a new species from the Huachuca, Santa Rita, and Chiricahua mountains. Sorex vagrans is also known from the Chircahua Mountains. The new species was compared to other members of the subgenus Sorex, to which it belongs, and is most closely related to S. emarginatus from Jalisco, Mexico. Characters are given for recognition of the new species, S. merriami, and S. vagrans in Arizona.