New karyotypes of shrews (Mammalia : Soricidae) from Cameroon and Somalia

Chromosomal data are presented for 11 species of African shrews collected d uring field studies in Cameroon and Somalia. The karyotypes of Sylvisorex j ohnstoni, S. isabellae, S. ollula, Crocidura attila, C. batesi, C. greenwoo di, C. parvipes, C. picea, and C. yankariensis are reported for the first t ime. The karyotype of Sylvisorex johnstoni (2n = 30, FN = 38) represents on e of the lowest and that of Crocidura yankariensis (2n = 68, FN = 122) the highest diploid numbers so far reported for an African shrew. The rare Croc idura picea has been rediscovered in the Cameroon highlands, from whence th e species was known only by the holotype since 1940.