Western Pigmy Shrew

Sorex eximius

General Status Rank: 
Secure
ELCODE: 
AMABA01250
Common Name: 
Western Pigmy Shrew
Scientific Name: 
Sorex eximius
Naming References: 
A2021003
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Mammal (Terrestrial Mammal)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Mammalia
Order: 
Eulipotyphla (Soricomorpha)
Family: 
Soricidae
References: 
B114
Habitat
Varied, mostly mesic forest habitat; grassy glades in boreal forest.
References: 
B001
Distribution

Ecozones

Taiga Cordillera, Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield, Boreal Cordillera, Boreal Plains
References: 
B001

Distribution

50% of the NWT. Small Mammal Survey, caught in Fort Liard, Fort Providence, Fort Smith, Gordon Lake.
Score: 
G = 2
References: 
B001

Number of Occurrences

Probably.
Score: 
E = >
References: 
H126

Area of Occupancy

Stable?
Score: 
-
Population

Population Size

10,000 to millions
Score: 
FH =
References: 
H126-05

Density

0.52 to 0.7-1.2 per hectare
Threats

Threats

Score: 
C = M
References: 
SC1

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Score: 
-
References: 
SC1
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Secure
Status Rank Description: 
Little information but secure due to very large distribution and inferred numbers. Taxonomy changed based on Hope et al. (2020). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2020, 129, 41–60.
S Rank: 
S5
Decision Process Description: 
Drafted using information and comments from M. Bradley. Reviewed in 2004, no change in status. Reviewed in 2010, no change. Reviewed in 2015, no change. Reviewed in 2020, no change.
Last Updated: 
February 15, 2024

References

Ecozones

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Habitat

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • van Zyll de Jong CG (1983) Handbook of Canadian Mammals - Marsupials and Insectivores. National Museum of Natural Sciences RWED Library Call#QL721.z9 - SC1 Return

Naming

  • ANDREW G. HOPE,, RYAN B. STEPHENS, SARAH D. MUELLER, VASYL V. TKACH and JOHN R. DEMBOSKI (2020) Speciation of North American pygmy shrews (Eulipotyphla: Soricidae) supports spatial but not temporal congruence of diversification among boreal species. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2020, 129, 41–60 online - A2021003 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

van Zyll de Jong CG (1983) Handbook of Canadian Mammals - Marsupials and Insectivores. National Museum of Natural Sciences RWED Library Call#QL721.z9 - SC1 Return

Number of Occurrences

  • Carrière, S. (2000) Pers. communication. Ecosystem Management Biologist; RWED - H126 Return

Population Size

Suzanne Carriere (2005) Pers. Comm.. - H126-05 Return

Range Extent

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Taxonomy

  • van Zyll de Jong CG (1983) Handbook of Canadian Mammals - 1 Marsupials and Insectivores. National Museum of Natural Sciences First edition RWED Library Call #QL721.z9 - B114 Return

Threats

  • van Zyll de Jong CG (1983) Handbook of Canadian Mammals - Marsupials and Insectivores. National Museum of Natural Sciences RWED Library Call#QL721.z9 - SC1 Return