Soricidae Author Russell A. Mittermeier Author Don E. Wilson text 2018 2018-07-31 Lynx Edicions Barcelona Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 8 Insectivores, Sloths and Colugos 332 551 book chapter http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6870843 978-84-16728-08-4 6870843 183. Pearson’s Long-clawed Shrew Solisorex pearsoni French: Pachyure de Pearson / German: Pearson-Langkrallenspitzmaus / Spanish: Musarana de unas largas de Pearson Other common names: Pearson's Shrew Taxonomy. Solisorex pearsoni Thomas, 1924 , near Nuwara Eliya , Hakgala , Central Province , Sri Lanka . Taxonomic position of S. pearsoni is unresolved. Recent genetic studies have placed it as sister to the rest of the subfamily Crocidurinae . It has been traditionally recognized as close to Feroculus , which is similar morphologically, although more authoritative genetic evaluation is needed to determine placement of both genera. Monotypic. Distribution. C highlands of Sri Lanka. Descriptive notes. Head-body 120-130 mm, tail 60-70 mm, ear 14-16 mm, hindfoot 23-25 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. Pearson’s Longclawed Shrew is a large semi-fossorial shrew (larger than Kelaart’s Long-clawed Shrew, Feroculus feroculus ), with soft, glossy, and fine fur thatis less velvety than typical shrews. Dorsum is dark grayish brown, and venter is paler grayish brown; individual hairs are light at tips. Ears are small, covered with fur similar to dorsum in color, and barely extend past fur; vibrissae are long and numerous; and eyes are small. Forefeet are large, brown, and equipped with long broad claws. Tail is ¢.50% of head-body length, covered with short hairs (without long hairs sticking out as in other crocidurines), and slightly bicolored, being dark brown above and slightly lighter below. Lower incisors have smooth cutting edge (similar to species of Suncus ); skull is bulky; braincase is smooth and swollen; and teeth are large and heavy, with simple molars and well-developed anterior incisors. There are only three unicuspids, which is the lowest number of unicuspids in Soricidae , and teeth are all unpigmented white. Third unicuspid is unique in being slightly bicuspid. Dental formula for all species of Solisorex is13/1, C1/1,P1/1.M 3/3 (x2) = 28. Habitat. Wet patana (upland plain) grasslands in primary evergreen forests at elevations of 950-2310 m. Food and Feeding. There is no specific information available for this species, but Pearson’s Long-clawed Shrew is probably carnivorous. Breeding. No information. Activity patterns. Pearson’s Long-clawed Shrew seems to be semi-fossorial based on its long claws. Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information. Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. Pearson’s Long-clawed Shrew has a very limited distribution on Sri Lanka, and its habitat is diminishing because of general habitatloss,fires, and cardamom plantations. It has been recorded from Knuckles Forest Reserve and Hakgala Strict Nature Reserve. Although considered rare and cryptic,it is relatively common within its small distribution. Virtually nothing is known ofthis unique lineage, and additional research is needed. Bibliography. Goonatilake et al. (2008c), Meegaskumbura (2007), Meegaskumbura et al. (2014), Menike et al. (2012), Phillips (1980).