Contribution to the validity and taxonomic status of the European fossil shrew Sorex subaraneus and the origin of Sorex araneus (Soricidae, Eulipotyphla, Insectivora, Mammalia)

[摘要] The taxonomy of many fossil shrews in Europe is still unclear. The aim of the study was to establish the validity and the taxonomic status of the European fossil shrew,Sorex subaraneus, often compared with or identified as other fossil and recent species: Sorex runtonensis, Sorex tundrensis, Sorex satunini and Sorex araneus. Middle Pleistocene material of S. subaraneus from the type locality of Erpfingen (Germany) was redescribed, and it was compared with specimens of the same species found in Polish localities, with fossil specimens of S. runtonensis, fossil and recent S. araneus (all from Poland) as well as with fossil and recent Sorex tundrensis and Sorex satunini from Russia. The morphological characters, measurements and statistical analysis showed that S. subaraneus and S. runtonensis are valid species. Sorex subaraneus differs from the smaller S. runtonensis and S. tundrensis, similar in size S. satunini as well as from the larger S. araneus. A comparison of dimensions of several fossil and recent S. araneus populations from different localities demonstrated that it has not changed over geological time and that S. subaraneus differed in the same degree from its oldest late Middle Pleistocene, Late Pleistocene, Holocene and recent specimens living in the same area. The paleontological data show that S. runtonensis, S. subaraneus and S. araneus inhabited Europe at the same time. If the identification of the European remains of S. subaraneus and S. araneus is correct, then the ancestry of S. araneus from S. subaraneus is rather doubtful.

[学科分类] 地质学

[关键词] Barbara Rzebik-Kowalska;Andrea Pereswiet-Soltan;insectivore mammals;Europe;Pleistocene;species validity;ancestry