Research Training Program

Ryan Stephens
University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point
Stevens Point, Wisconsin

Neal Woodman, Ph.D.
Supervising Scientist
Department of Vertebrate Zoology,
Division of Mammals

"For me, the RTP program was
a life-changing experience
that stretched far beyond
the realms of research."

Identification of Central American and Mexican Shrews using foot bones

Shrews are small mammals that have a nearly worldwide distribution, with the exception of Australia and Antarctica. They are insectivores and not rodents as many people believe. Shrews are a diverse group of mammals, however very little is known about many species of shrews because they are small, secretive, and difficult to capture. Broad-clawed shrews, named for their large claws possibly used for digging, occur in Central America and Mexico and are among some of the most poorly understood shrew species. Two broad-clawed shrews in particular, Cryptotis griseoventris and C. goodwini are difficult to distinguish because they are of a similar size and color. To help distinguish between these two species, we used x-ray technology to obtain pictures of the front feet of preserved museum specimens. With these images we measured the lengths and widths of individual bones and claws. These measurements were used to help distinguish the two species and then to identify newly collected specimens from Guatemala. This new information can be used to help infer more about the biology and ecology of shrews from Central America and Mexico and hopefully uncover some of the mystery of the life history of these animals.

This research was supported by the Bill and Jean Lane Internship Endowment.