New record of Cryptotis mayensis in the Gulf of México coastal plains

Abstract

The Yucatán small-eared shrew, Cryptotis mayensis (Merriam, 1901), is a little-known shrew that inhabits lowlands covered by tropical forests in the Yucatán Peninsula in México, as well as in Guatemala and Belize.  As part of a study evaluating rodent populations in oil palm plantations (Elaeis guineensis), a specimen of C. mayensis was captured within a young palm plantation located in the Gulf of México coastal plains on the borders of Tabasco and Campeche.  The species record is located 60 km north of the nearest species records, which extends its distribution area.  Furthermore, since the specimen was captured in a monoculture surrounded by pastures for livestock farming, it could indicate that C. mayensis can inhabit sites with high disturbance.