The occurrence of the Pigmy shrew Sorex minutus on moorland, and the implications for its presence in Ireland

摘要: Throughout most of its range in western Europe, the Pigmy shrew Sorex minutus is sympatricwith Common araneus but greatly outnumbered by it. This makes it difficult to explain presence shrew, absence congener, Ireland. A limited pitfall trapping exercise England has shown that moorland on deep peat, may fact outnumber shrew. Reference literature ecology two shrews shows this result readily explained existing knowledge their diet; earthworms are a major prey for and absent from waterlogged, acidic, peats. Further, evidence nature possible land bridge Scotland Ireland suggests was at best low-lying, probably partly flooded. By analogy with moorland, such might have been suitable not shrews.