Annamite Shrew – Crocidura annamitensis – Jenkins, Lunde & Moncrieff, 2009

Science name: Crocidura annamitensis – Jenkins, Lunde & Moncrieff, 2009

Taxonomic:  Animalia>> Chordata>> Mammalia>> Soricomorpha >> Soricidae >> annamitensis

Species status: Endemic ; IUCN status: LC (Least Concern)

Description: Physical Characteristics:

Crocidura annamitensis is a very small brown shrew with a moderately short tail, which measures 56% to 61% of its head and body length.
Its dorsal pelage is light brown, with individual hairs pale gray at the base and pale brown at the tips. The ventral color is grayish buff, with no clear demarcation between the dorsal and ventral areas.
The tail is dark brown on the top and pale brown below, with long pilose hairs present on the proximal half.
The skull of C. annamitensis is small and narrow, gradually widening through the interorbital region and the rounded braincase, giving it a wedge-shaped appearance when viewed dorsally.
Its first upper incisor is large, projecting well beyond the premaxillary border, and the lower third molar has a reduced talonid.
Dentition:

The upper teeth feature a robust paracone on P4, and the talon of P4 is well-developed, though the posterior border of P4 is concave.
The first lower incisor (i1) has two low cusps, and the third lower molar (m3) shows reduced development of the talonid, a notable feature for species comparison.
Comparisons:

Crocidura annamitensis has a relatively short tail (56%-61% of head and body length) compared to other species like Crocidura guy (68%-77%) and Crocidura zaitsevi (61%-81%).
Its skull is narrower than that of C. kegoensis, which also has a longer braincase. Additionally, the talon of P4 in C. annamitensis is larger than in C. kegoensis, and the posterior border of P4 is concave, similar to C. zaitsevi but less so than in C. kegoensis.

Distribution and habitat: Altitude:
Crocidura annamitensis has been recorded at elevations between 920 and 1,240 meters above sea level in the northern Annamite (Truong Son) mountain range.

Range:
This species is known from a few specimens collected at the type locality of Huong Son Camp, located in Hà Tĩnh Province, Vietnam. It is believed that the species could inhabit higher elevations within the Annamite mountain range, though further surveys are required to confirm this.

Habitat:
Crocidura annamitensis inhabits tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, characteristic of high montane regions. These ecosystems are densely forested and provide the necessary cover and resources for the species’ survival. It is likely that the species relies on the forest floor, foraging through leaf litter and other organic debris.

Behaviour and ecology: Lifestyle:
The specific behavior of Crocidura annamitensis remains largely unknown, but like many Crocidura species, it likely forages on the forest floor, using its sharp teeth to hunt insects and small invertebrates. Its activity pattern, whether diurnal or nocturnal, is yet to be determined, though it likely shares traits with other terrestrial shrews that forage during periods of low visibility to avoid predators.

Reproductive Practices:
No data is currently available regarding the reproductive habits of Crocidura annamitensis. Like other members of the genus, it may have multiple litters per year, with a rapid breeding cycle.

Conservation and status: IUCN Red List Category and Criteria:
Crocidura annamitensis is listed as “Data Deficient” by the IUCN due to the limited information available about its population, distribution, and ecology.

Threats:
The primary threat to C. annamitensis is habitat loss due to deforestation and land use changes in the Annamite mountain range. The species’ reliance on moist broadleaf forests makes it particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation and degradation caused by agricultural expansion and logging activities.

Conservation Actions:
Further research is urgently needed to understand the population size, distribution, and ecological needs of Crocidura annamitensis. Protecting its forested habitat in the Annamite range is crucial for the conservation of this species, and efforts should be made to include the area in protected reserves.