Taxonomic status and origin of the shrews (Soricidae) from the Canary islands inferred from a mtDNA comparison with the European Crocidura species

European island shrews are either relicts of the endemic Pleistocene fauna, e.g.,. Crocidura zimmermanni, or were introduced from continental source populations. In order to clarify the taxonomic status and the origin of the two shrew species from the Canary islands, a 981 bp fragment of cytochrome b gene was investigated in all European Crocidura species and compared with the Canary shrew (Crocidura canariensis) and the Osorio shrew (Crocidura osorio). The first shares its karyotype with the Sicilian shrew Crocidura sicula (2N = 36), the second with the Greater white-toothed shrew Crocidura russula (2N = 42), suggesting possible sister species relationships. Results confirm the monophyly of taxa sharing the same karyotype. Genetic distances between C sicula and C canariensis suggest a separation since 5 Myr. The first was probably isolated from the North African ancestor after the Messinian desiccation; the second arrived on the Canary islands by natural jump dispersal. Within the 2N = 42 cluster, a first split separated an Eastern line (Tunisia) from a western line (Morocco/Europe) of C russula. C osorio clusters together with C russula from Spain, indicating conspecificy. This suggests a recent introduction from Spain by human. (C)2002 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.