A five-species assemblage of shrews from the Sagebrush-Steppe of Wyoming

Abstract

A species-rich assemblage of shrews is reported from 10 sites in sagebrush-steppe habitat in southwestern Wyoming. Five species were collected, including Sorez cinereus, S. monticolus, S. merriami, S. nanus, and S. preblei. This is the first record of S. preblei from Lincoln Co., Wyoming. At one site, Cavanaugh Peak, the number of soricid species averaged 3.6 species/year. All five soricids were collected during 1984 and 1987. S. cinereus was the only soricid collected during all 7 years; S. merriami was taken during 6 years, while S. preblei, S. nanus, and S. monticolus were each collected during 4 years. An analysis of S. cinereus captured in different microhabitats (grassland/short-shrub habitats, tall shrub habitats, or ecotonal boundaries) showed no significant differences, indicating a lack of microhabitat preference within the shrub-steppe ecosystem.