Definition

Noun 1. A small, common insectivorous mammal: Sorex araneus is the scientific name for a specific species of shrew, a very small, mouse-like mammal with a pointed snout, tiny eyes, and velvety fur. It is an active predator of insects and other invertebrates. * Note: The provided reference context contains an error. Sorex araneus is the common European shrew or Eurasian common shrew, not the "common American shrew." The common American shrew is typically Sorex cinereus or other species.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The biologist identified the tiny specimen as Sorex araneus. (Nhà sinh vật học đã xác định mẫu vật nhỏ bé là Sorex araneus.)
  • Unlike rodents, Sorex araneus has a diet consisting primarily of insects and worms. (Không giống như loài gặm nhấm, Sorex araneus có chế độ ăn chủ yếu là côn trùng và giun.)

Advanced Usage

• In taxonomic context: The name is always written in italics, with the genus () capitalized and the species epithet () in lowercase. It is used in formal scientific writing to avoid ambiguity with common names.
  • The study compared the metabolic rates of Sorex araneus and Crocidura russula. (Nghiên cứu so sánh tỷ lệ trao đổi chất của Sorex araneus và Crocidura russula.)

Variants and Related Words

• Shrew (n): The common name for mammals in the family Soricidae, which includes .
• Common shrew (n): A frequent common name for in Europe.
• Eurasian common shrew (n): An alternative common name specifying its geographic range.

Synonyms

• Common shrew (when used in a European context).
• Eurasian common shrew.

Notes on Meaning

• The primary meaning is strictly taxonomic, referring to this specific biological species. It is not used in everyday language.
• The key distinction from the reference context is geographic: is Palearctic (Europe and northern Asia), not American. American shrews belong to different, though related, species within the genus .

Noun

1. common American shrew