Sorex vagrans (Vagrant Shrew)
Credit: William Leonard
about the species
Sorex vagrans (Vagrant Shrew) has a very broad distribution across western North America, but has a patchy distribution in California. S. vagrans is closely related to S. ornatus, with evidence of extensive hybridization around the margins of Suisun Bay and San Pablo Bay. Two subspecies of S. vagrans have conservation concern: S. v. halicoetes, the salt marsh wandering shrew, has state Species of Special Concern status, and S. v. paludivagus, the Monterey Bay vagrant shrew, is considered critically imperiled (CDFW 2020).
why species was selected
Inclusion in the CCGP is important for understanding genetic diversity in the populations of conservation concern, as well as its relationship with the closely related S. ornatus.
Explore other species
Species
