Myosorex varius

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	MAMMALIA	EULIPOTYPHLA	SORICIDAE

Scientific Name:

Myosorex varius

Species Authority:

(Smuts, 1832)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Forest Shrew

Taxonomic Notes:

Myosorex varius possibly represents a complex of several similar species. Further studies are needed to clarify the taxonomic status of populations currently allocated to this species.

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Least Concern ver 3.1

Year Published:

2008

Assessor/s:

Baxter, R.

Reviewer/s:

Amori, G. (Small Nonvolant Mammal Red List Authority) & Cox, N. (Global Mammal Assessment Team)

Justification:
Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, presumed large population, it occurs in a number of protected areas, has a tolerance of a degree of habitat modification, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category.

History:

2004	–	Least Concern
1996	–	Lower Risk/least concern

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This southern African species has been recorded from southern South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland.
Countries:	Native: Lesotho; South Africa; Swaziland
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	In some areas this species can be the dominant small mammal at higher elevations. It is found at lower numbers in coastal parts of its range.
Population Trend:	Stable

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	M. varius occurs in every biome in South Africa including coastal forests, thickets, Nama Karoo, Succulent Karoo and Fynbos. It is present in both primary habitats and degraded areas.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	There appear to be no major threats to this species as a whole.

Major Threat(s):

There appear to be no major threats to this species as a whole.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	There are no direct conservation measures in place for this species. The species is presumably present in a number of protected areas.

Conservation Actions:

There are no direct conservation measures in place for this species. The species is presumably present in a number of protected areas.

Citation:	Baxter, R. 2008. Myosorex varius. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 25 May 2012.
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