New records of Suncus etruscus (Soricidae, Mammalia) and its current status in Bulgaria

Abstract

We present 17 new records of Suncus etruscus in Bulgaria, and the first finding of the species north of Stara Planina Mountains. The species is recorded in the diet of three owl species - Tyto alba, Asio otus and Athene noctua, and one bird of prey - Aquila heliaca. The bulk of records originated from T. alba, in the rest raptor species it is taken randomly and consists negligible part of their diet. Additionally, five dead shrews were used, which provided hard evidence for the presence of S. etruscus in north Bulgaria. All data on the species distribution in Bulgaria are summarised and the roads for its invasion are discussed. Climate change is considered as an expansion trigger for spreading of the Etruscan shrew.