Reassessing the Status (Phylogeny, Ecology, Distribution) of Greece’s Sole Endemic Mammal Crocidura zimmermanni (Eulipotyphla: Soricidae) and Its Relationship to Its Congener C. gueldenstaedtii on Crete

Crocidura zimmermanni is the only endemic mammal species of Greece and is classified as Endangered according to IUCN due to its restricted range and probable displacement by its congener C. gueldenstaedtii. To investigate the ecology, phylogeny, and distribution of Cretan crocidurines, intensive trapping surveys were conducted and complemented by specimens from the NHMC collections. Here, we present preliminary phylogeny of C. zimmermanni based on cyt b, incorporating specimens across the species’ geographic range. Additionally, species distribution modeling (SDM) was applied to determine the distribution of the two Cretan shrews and simulate potential range shifts under past and future climate scenarios. SDMs indicated temperature as the primary driver for both C. zimmermanni and C. gueldenstaedtii’s current distribution in Crete, with negative and positive effects respectively. Future climate projections predicted a reduction in the range of both species, with the severity of contraction increasing under more extreme scenarios. Paleontological evidence and model projections of past and current distribution data seem to concur with the prevalent hypothesis of C. zimmermanni’s displacement due to competition with C. gueldenstaedtii; however, further research is needed. Finally, new occurrence records for both species shed light on potential contact zones, directing future research regarding the competition between them in Crete.