SREL Reprint #1141
Genetic
Variability within Blarina Carolinensis, and Among Three Sympatric
Species of Shrews (Insectivora:
Soricidae)
Deanna
K. Tolliver and Lynn W. Robbins
Abstract
In a recent review of genetic variability of
insectivores (Tolliver et al., 1985) no polymorphic loci were observed for the
southern short-tailed shrew, Blarina carolinensis.
Specimens from that study (n=30) were collected from one locality (Mill
Creek) on the Savannah River Plant (SRP) near Aiken, South Carolina, and only 12
loci were analyzed. In this study, B.
carolinensis was sampled a second time from Mill Creek, as well as from
other populations on the SRP, to see if the lack of variability at Mill Creek
was unique to that population or was due to the low number of genetic loci
examined. Results from this more
extensive study are reported here, as well as estimates of genetic variability
for two other species of shrews found on the SRP:
the southeastern shrew, Sorex longirostris, and the least
shrew, Cryptotis parva.
SREL Reprint #1141
Tolliver, D.K. and L.W. Robbins. 1987. Genetic
variability with Blarina carolinensis, and among three sympatric
species of shrews (Insectivora: Soricidae). Journal of
Mammalogy 68:387-390.
