Definition

Noun 1. A species of shrew: Sorex palustris is the scientific name for a specific species of small, insectivorous mammal belonging to the genus Sorex. 2. The American water shrew: This is the common name for Sorex palustris. It is a semi-aquatic shrew native to North America, known for its ability to hunt in and around water.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The biologist identified the small mammal as Sorex palustris.
  • Sorex palustris is uniquely adapted to its wetland habitat.
  • We observed an American water shrew, Sorex palustris, hunting along the stream bank.

Advanced Usage

• In taxonomic context: The name is always italicized. The genus name () is capitalized, while the species epithet () is not.
  • The study compared the foraging behavior of Sorex palustris with that of Sorex cinereus.

Variants and Related Words

• American water shrew: The common English name for .
• Water shrew: A more general term that can refer to or other semi-aquatic shrew species.
• Shrew: The common name for small mammals in the family Soricidae, to which belongs.

Synonyms

• American water shrew
• Northern water shrew (a regional name)

Related Phrases/Idioms

• N/A: As a precise scientific name, is not used in idiomatic expressions.

Noun

1. water shrew of North America