New records and habitat information for Sorex merriami in Nebraska

We report the collection of 8 additional specimens of Sorex merriami from n orthwestern Nebraska; previously only 2 specimens had been collected in the state. The new specimens were captured in pitfall traps and Sherman live-t raps from 1979 through 1996 in Dawes, Sheridan, and Sioux counties. These i ndividuals were caught together with Sorer cinereus and several rodent spec ies in a variety of grassland habitats, including disturbed roadsides domin ated by native and introduced grasses and forbs, grassland openings in fore sts of ponderosa pine, and an open, dry grassland. Seven of the new specime ns, captured in late May, early June, and December, were young-of-the-pear, and 4 of these were not in reproductive condition; reproductive status of the other 3 was not assessed. One individual, captured in late May, was an old male in reproductive condition.