This page is a list of species of the order Insectivora discovered in the 2000s. See also parent page List of mammals described in the 2000s.
In 2004, a new species of desert shrew was identified in Arizona, and named Notiosorex cockrumi . The tiny shrew, which is as light as a penny, is the first new mammal species to be found in Arizona since 1977. It is one of at least four species of the genus Notiosorex . [1]
Shrews are small mole-like mammals classified in the order Eulipotyphla. True shrews are not to be confused with treeshrews, otter shrews, elephant shrews, West Indies shrews, or marsupial shrews, which belong to different families or orders.
The red-toothed shrews of the subfamily Soricinae are one of three living subfamilies of shrews, along with Crocidurinae and Myosoricinae. In addition, the family contains the extinct subfamilies Limnoecinae, Crocidosoricinae, Allosoricinae and Heterosoricinae. These species are typically found in North America, northern South America, Europe and northern Asia. The enamel of the tips of their teeth is reddish due to iron pigment. The iron deposits serve to harden the enamel and are concentrated in those parts of the teeth most subject to wear. Members of the genera Chimarrogale, Nectogale, Neomys (Nectogalini) and some members of Sorex (Soricini) are known as water shrews, due to having a semi-aquatic lifestyle.
Crawford's gray shrew, also known as the desert shrew, is a small shrew found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is a member of the family Soricidae of the order Eulipotyphla. It was the only known member of the genus Notiosorex until two species, N. villai distributed in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, and N. evotis distributed along the northwest coast of Mexico, were named. A fourth distinct species, N. cockrumi, was discovered in the U.S. state of Arizona and named in 2004.
Notiosorex cockrumi, also called Cockrum's gray shrew or Cockrum's desert shrew, is a tiny species of shrews named in 2003. This red-toothed shrew, which is as light as a penny, is the first new mammal species from the U.S. state of Arizona since 1977. Its range extends from Arizona to central portion of the Mexican state of Sonora.
Notiosorex is a genus of shrew from the subfamily Soricinae.
The large-eared gray shrew is a species of shrew.
Villa's gray shrew is a shrew native to northeastern Mexico, where it is called musaraña.
The Negev shrew, also known as the Ramon's shrew is a species of mammal in the family Soricidae. So far, it is only known from Israel. It is found in three regions: Mizpe Ramon and Sede Boqer in the Negev Desert, and Sartaber at the northern edge of the Judean Desert. It is likely that the species occurs more widely in the region than currently known. The three locations in which the species occur are rocky desert areas at altitudes between 200 and 950 metres above sea level. The Negev shrew is light gray with a slightly lighter underpart. It is also relatively small.
Notiosoricini, whose members are known as the North American gray shrews, is a tribe of shrews in the family Soricidae, including the genera Megasorex and Notiosorex. They are found across the southwestern United States and most of Mexico.
Arthur H. Harris is an American mammalogist and paleontologist.
Notiosorex harrisi is an extinct species of shrew from the subfamily Soricinae.