Notes on Kentucky Shrews 93 



METHODS AND MATERIALS 



Both standard snap-back mouse traps and pitfall traps were used to 

 capture shrews, usually with 5 to 20 pitfall traps and 30 to 300 snap- 

 traps in suitable habitat. Snap-traps were removed after one to three 

 nights, but pitfalls often remained in place at each locality for 3 to 10 

 months. 



Many researchers have commented on the effectiveness of pitfall 

 traps for capturing Sorex (Briese and Smith 1974; Brown 1967; Hudson 

 and Solf 1959; Rose 1980; Wolfe and Esher 1981; and others). In this 

 study, several sizes of pitfall cans were often used. Number 10 cans (153 

 mm opening) were preferred, but smaller sizes were also used. The top 

 of each can was positioned just below the surface of the ground, and 

 leaves were placed around the lip to present a more natural environ- 

 ment. As was suggested by MacLeod and Lethiecq (1963) water was 

 added to some cans to prevent shrews from escaping. Brown (1967) gave 

 suggestions for setting pitfalls in talus. 



RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 



Annotated List 



Sorex cinereus Kerr, Masked Shrew — North of Kentucky, the 

 masked shrew is common in many habitats (Buckner 1966; Getz 1961), 

 but Kentucky specimens have all been taken in woodlands. Two subspe- 

 cies occur in the state (Fig. 1A). Sorex c. cinereus occurs in the eastern 

 mountains. Sorex c. lesueurii Duvernoy was first found in Henderson 

 County, in a floodplain forest along the Ohio River (French 1978). 

 More recently it was taken in similar habitat along the Ohio River in 

 Union County (Floyd Scott, unpubl. data), and along the Green River 

 in Henderson County about 1 1 km from its confluence with the Ohio 

 River. Specimens were collected in floodplain forests beside fallen logs 

 and other large debris. Eastern Kentucky specimens {S. c. cinereus) were 

 taken along rockfaces close to small order streams and seepages in 

 mesic woodlands at higher elevations (above 500 msl). 



Sorex longirostris Bachman, Southeastern Shrew — French (1980) 

 stated that the favored habitats of Sorex longirostris in Alabama are 

 grassy freshwater marshes with rotting logs, and along river floodplains 

 dominated by hardwood forest. However, he noted that collections in 

 other states were made in many habitats, such as upland old-fields, dry 

 sandy areas, and pine plantations. In Kentucky this species often inhab- 

 its wet weedfields. However, one specimen was collected within 1 m of 

 the water's edge on a Kentucky River rockbar with no vegetative cover. 

 We have also taken it in riparian forests that annually flood along the 

 Kentucky River in Franklin County, and along East Fork Lynn Camp 



