Sorex alpinus

Geographic Range

Sorex alpinus is endemic to Europe and lives in isolated patches throughout the Alps, Balkans, Carpathians, and numerous other mountain ranges in central Europe. Its range overlaps geographically and ecologically with those of Sorex araneus , Sorex minutus , and Neomys fodiens .

• Biogeographic Regions
• palearctic palearctic
  • native native

Habitat

Sorex alpinus lives in various mountain ranges throughout central Europe from 200 m to 2500 m in elevation. Although its name suggests otherwise, S. alpinus is not often found in the alpine zone (i.e., above tree line). Rather, it primarily lives in montane coniferous woodlands below rocks, branches, or in dense plant growth. Individuals living above tree line are often found between rocks or in holes. At lower elevations, where it is very humid, S. alpinus resides in shaded, densely vegetated valley environments.

• Habitat Regions
• temperate temperate
• terrestrial terrestrial

• Terrestrial Biomes
• forest forest
• mountains mountains

• Other Habitat Features
• riparian riparian

Physical Description

Sorex alpinus has slate-colored, near-black fur on its dorsum, while its venter is gray-brown. Its feet are hairless, and its head and body length range from 6.0 cm to 7.7 cm. Its limbs are white, and it has a long, pointed muzzle. It has small, rounded, pink ears; small, black eyes; big, white hind feet; and red-tipped teeth. Both sexes possess lateral scent glands. Tail length ranges from 5.4 cm to 7.5 cm, making its tail nearly as long as its body. The tail is covered in short hair. The dorsal surface is essentially black and the ventral surface is light yellow. Sorex alpinus has five plantar pads on its feet, as opposed to six commonly found in in other shrews ). Its weight ranges from 5.5 g to 11.5 g. The physical appearance of S. alpinus is similar to that of S. araneus and S. minutus , but its long tail and darker fur distinguishes S. alpinus from these two species. Sexual dimorphism has not been documented in this species.

• Other Physical Features
• endothermic endothermic
• homoiothermic
• bilateral symmetry bilateral symmetry

Reproduction

Sorex alpinus mates from April to October and is likely polygynandrous. Males have a tripartite penis, which is relatively unique among Sorex species (for the lone exception see S. mirabilis ). The penis of S. alpinus is relatively large compared to S. araneus and S. minutus . No other information is known regarding the mating system of this species.

• Mating System
• polygynandrous (promiscuous) polygynandrous (promiscuous)

Gestation in Sorex alpinus lasts 19 to 21 days and results in 3 to 9 offspring per litter, with an average of 6. It has two or three litters a year, and offspring grow quickly and reach sexual maturity in under a year. There is no other information available concerning mating behavior in this species. In closely related species, young typically weigh under half a gram and weaning is complete by 22 to 30 days after parturition.

• Key Reproductive Features
• iteroparous iteroparous
• seasonal breeding seasonal breeding
• gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate)
• sexual sexual
• fertilization fertilization
• viviparous viviparous

There is no information available regarding parental care in Sorex alpinus . However, in closely related species paternal care is non-existant and mothers nurse young until weaning, which is complete by 22 to 30 days after parturition. Young disperse once weaning is complete.

• Parental Investment
• female parental care female parental care
• pre-hatching/birth
  • provisioning
    • female
  • protecting
    • female
• pre-weaning/fledging
  • provisioning
    • female

Lifespan/Longevity

Sorex alpinus is thought to live up to 1.3 years in the wild. Little research has been done on S. alpinus in captivity; however in the closely related species, S. minutus , mortality peaks around 2 to 4 months, likely due to the fact that it is hard for young to survive the winter.

Behavior

Sorex alpinus is nocturnal and an excellent climber. It uses its long tail for balance and support while climbing. Similar species, such as Sorex minutus and S. araneus , are solitary and establish territories they can defend. Similar to other members of Soricidae , S. alpinus has a high metabolic rate and cannot go without food for more than 5 to 6 hours. Soricids have to eat more than their weight in food daily. Because of their high metabolic requirements, soricids are unable to hibernate and must remain active throughout winter.

• Key Behaviors
• scansorial
• terricolous
• nocturnal nocturnal
• motile motile
• sedentary sedentary
• solitary solitary

Home Range

Although home range size in Sorex alpinus is unknown, population densities of Sorex alpinus range from 1 to 2 animals per hectare. In closely related species, home ranges are 530 to 1800 m^2 for S. minutus , and 370 to 630 m^2 for S. araneus .

Communication and Perception

Sorex alpinus is relatively less vocal than closely related species, S. minutus and S. araneus . All Sorex have scent glands on their flanks and S. minutus uses these glands to scent mark its territory. It has also been suggested that S. minutus uses high frequency echolocation to locate insect prey and detect potential threats in its local environment. Similar to other Sorex , S. alpinus has significantly reduced eyes but may still depend on sight for detection of light and movement.

• Communication Channels
• acoustic acoustic
• chemical chemical

• Other Communication Modes
• pheromones pheromones
• scent marks scent marks

• Perception Channels
• visual visual
• tactile tactile
• acoustic acoustic
• echolocation echolocation
• chemical chemical

Food Habits

Sorex alpinus eats insects , arachnids , snails , and earthworms . There is no other information regarding the food habits of this species; however, closely related S. araneus and S. minutus are both opportunistic feeders. Sorex minutus does not burrow and eat earthworms , but S. araneus and S. alpinus do. Dietary separation between sympatric species may help decrease interspecific competition.

• Primary Diet
• carnivore carnivore
  • insectivore insectivore
  • eats non-insect arthropods
  • vermivore

• Animal Foods
• insects
• terrestrial non-insect arthropods
• mollusks
• terrestrial worms

Predation

There is no information available regarding predation in Sorex alpinus . Where sympatric, however, predation on S. alpinus is likely similar to that of S. araneus and S. minutus . The scent glands on S. minutus and other shrews may help deter potential predators. Common predators of S. minutus and S. araneus include tawny owls , weasels , red foxes , and domestic cats . Nocturnal and burrowing tendencies of S. alpinus likely helps decrease risk of predation.

Ecosystem Roles

Sorex alpinus forages on in a number of arthropods and may help control insect pest population. It is a host to a number ectoparasitic arthropods including fleas and ticks . Although major predators of S. alpinus have not been documented, related species (e.g., S. minutus and S. araneus ) are prey for many small carnivores.

Economic Importance for Humans: Positive

Sorex alpinus is insectivorous, so they might help control insect pest populations. There are no other known positive effects of S. alpinus on humans. However, its close relative, S. minutus is an important biological indicator as it is intolerant of environmental changes.

• Positive Impacts
• controls pest population

Economic Importance for Humans: Negative

There are no known adverse effects of Sorex alpinus on humans.

Conservation Status

Sorex alpinus is classified as "near threatened" on the IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species, however, more data are needed to determine broad population trends. Major threats include the loss of alpine rivers and streams due to water extraction and hydroelectric power and increasing winter tourism in mountains of central Europe. Climate change may pose a significant threat in the near future as range shifts may increase interspecific competition for resources.

Other Comments

Sorex alpinus was once thought to be an ancient species; however, evidence suggests that S. alpinus could be a relatively recent species. Three karotypes of S. alpinus are known, 2N= 54, 56, and 58, all with a G-banding pattern.

Additional Links

Encyclopedia of Life

Contributors

Felicity Burke (author), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Phil Myers (editor), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, John Berini (editor), Animal Diversity Web Staff.

References

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