MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS OF CROCIDURA SHREWS (INSECTIVORA) IN EAST AND CENTRAL ASIA

Phylogenetic relationships among 8 species of white-toothed shrews (Crocidurinae, Mammalia) in East and Central Asia were evaluated based on mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene sequences. The taxon formerly regarded as Crocidura suaveolens in East Asia phylogenetically is distinct from that of true C. suaveolens in Europe, suggesting that specimens in East Asia should be considered a distinct species, C. shantungensis. All shrews from Central Asia were regarded as C. sibirica, although phylogenetic comparison with the unsampled C. gmelini is needed to confirm its taxonomic status. C. shantungensis, C. suaveolens, and C. sibirica formed a well-supported monophyletic group. C. dsinezumi, C. lasiura, C. kurodai, and C. watasei also formed a well-supported monophyletic group. Within C. dsinezumi, there were 2 clusters, referable to western and eastern Japan. Based on low genetic divergence, C. dsinezumi on Cheju and Hokkaido islands appear to be the result of a recent introduction from western Japan and northern-eastern Honshu, respectively