A 5-SPECIES ASSEMBLAGE OF SHREWS FROM THE SAGEBRUSH-STEPPE OF WYOMING

A species-rich assemblage of shrews is reported from 10 sites in sageb rush-steppe habitat Five species were collected, including Sorer ciner eus, S. monticolus, S. merriami, S. nanus, and S. preblei. This is the first record of S. preblei from Lincoln Co., Wyoming. At one site, Ca vanaugh Peak, the number of soricid species averaged 3.6 species/year. All five soricids were collected during 1984 and 1987. S. cinereus wa s the only soricid collected during all 7 years; S. merriami was taken during 6 years, while S. preblei, S. nanus, and S. monticolus were ea ch collected during 4 years. An analysis of S. cinereus captured in di fferent microhabitats (grassland/short-shrub habitats, tall shrub habi tats, or ecotonal boundaries) showed no significant differences, indic ating a lack of microhabitat preference within the shrub-steppe ecosys tem.