The Laxmann’s shrew Sorex caecutiens. Step towards "sociality"

Abstract Sorex are commonly considered highly aggressive territorial animals. Our research shows that species in this genus can significantly differ in the extent of home ranges overlap and their inclination to contact with conspecifics. We assay space usage and propensity to engage in social contacts in the Laxmann’s shrew, S. caecutiens in comparison with the common shrew, Sorex araneus. Although both studied species shared area under increased population density, the Laxmann’s shrew reveal significantly larger shared area, and the proportion of shared area in this species significantly exceeded that was expected for random co-location of animals. In the common shrew shared area corresponded to expectation for random co-location of animals. In a preference test with a conspecific in wire-mesh container we found, that whereas the common shrew was rather indifferent, the Laxmann’s shrew reveal propensity to contact with conspecific. When estimated a suit of variables obtained in trials with respect to pace-of-life continuum, we found that Laxmann's shrew corresponded "slow species"; it was more shy, less active in general, more thorough explorer, with greater propensity to engage in social contacts. We assume that the Laxmann's shrew made at least a step towards more complex social structure.