A Five-Species Assemblage of Shrews from the Sagebrush-Steppe of Wyoming

A species-rich assemblage of shrews is reported from 10 sites in sagebrush-steppe habitat in southwestern Wyoming. Five species were collected, including Sorex cinereus, S. mon-ticolus, S. merriami, S. nanus, and S. preblei. This is the first record of S. preblei from Lincoln Co., Wyoming. At one site, Cavanaugh Peak, the number of soricid species averaged 3.6 species/year. All five soricids were collected during 1984 and 1987. 5. cinereus was the only soricid collected during all 7 years; S. merriami was taken during 6 years, while 5. preblei, S. nanus, and S. monticolus were each collected during 4 years. An analysis of S. cinereus captured in different microhabitats (grassland/short-shrub habitats, tall shrub habitats, or ecotonal boundaries) showed no significant differences, indicating a lack of microhabitat preference within the shrub-steppe ecosystem.