Description
The Mammalian order Eulipotyphla, comprising the Soricidae (shrews) and Talpidae (moles), are pivotal players in North America's terrestrial food webs. In Virginia, nine shrew and three mole species are recognized. However, a comprehensive, modern synthesis of their distribution, habitat associations, and natural history is lacking. We present a contemporary annotated checklist by incorporating records from literature, digitized museum collections (GBIF/iDigBio), and vetted community science data (iNaturalist). Our objectives were to a) provide a modern taxonomically resolved annotated checklist for shrews and moles in Virginia, and b) produce current biogeographical sound maps by physiographic province/habitat type. Preliminary results confirm the presence of all 12 target species, with generalist species exhibiting broad statewide ranges and specialist species like Sorex palustris, Sorex dispar confined to high-elevation or specific aquatic habitats. This synthesis provides a foundational dataset supporting future research, conservation planning, and biodiversity management efforts within the commonwealth of Virginia.