Barn Owl (Tyto alba) Pellet Analysis Reveals Wider Distribution of the Pygmy White-toothed Shrew (Suncus etruscus) in Georgia

By

Kitel, Denis
Buknikashvili, Alexander

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2025-9-23

Original Publication

Caucasiana : journal on the biodiversity of the Caucasus and the adjacent regions

Volume

4

Pages

97--104

Subjects

Barn owl , Distribution , Georgia , pellet analysis , small mammals , Suncus etruscus

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

[Sofia, Bulgaria] Pensoft 2022-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/caucasiana.4.e162106

 

Abstract

The pygmy white-toothed shrew (Suncus etruscus), one of the smallest mammals globally, has long been considered rare and poorly studied in Georgia. Traditionally under-recorded due to its small size and elusive behaviour, the species' presence has remained uncertain, with only a few historical or unverified records. In this study, we analysed barn owl (Tyto alba) pellets collected across eastern Georgia between 2023 and 2025 to assess the presence of S. etruscus in the region. From a total of 6,627 prey items extracted and identified, 41 individuals of S. etruscus were found in pellets from 12 different locations in Kakheti and Kvemo Kartli regions. These findings significantly expand the known distribution of the species in Georgia and suggest that it is more common in lowland habitats than previously believed. Given the barn owl’s relatively small foraging range, the occurrence of S. etruscus remains in pellets is a reliable indicator of its local presence. Our results highlight the value of raptor pellet analysis in detecting elusive small mammals and suggest that S. etruscus may have been previously overlooked due to methodological limitations in traditional trapping surveys. This study provides a new foundation for understanding the distribution and habitat preferences of this poorly known species in the Caucasus.