Karyotypic Relationships within the Short-Tailed Shrews, Genus Blarina

Authors

Sarah B. George, University of UtahFollow
Hugh H. Genoways, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Jerry R. Choate, Fort Hays State University
Robert J. Baker, Texas Tech UniversityFollow

Date of this Version

11-1-1982

Citation

Journal of Mammalogy (1982) 63(4): 639-645.

Comments

Copyright 1982, American Society of Mammalogists. Used by permission.

Abstract

Short-tailed shrews of the genus Blarina exhibit considerable geographic variation in both diploid number and fundamental number. Four chromosomal groups are recognized within the genus: Blarina brevicauda, FN = 48; 2N = 50, 49, or 48; B. carolinensis, FN = 45 or 44; 2N = 46, 39, 38, or 37; B. c. peninsulae, FN = 52; 2N = 52, 51, or 50; B. hylophaga, FN = 62, 61, or 60; 2N = 52. B. c. peninsulae also may be a distinct species, but exact determination must await location and analysis of a zone of contact with B. carolinensis.