Watase's shrew; lesser Ryukyu shrew
A small insectivorous mammal native to the Ryukyu Islands. Scientific name: Crocidura watasei.
The Watase's shrew is an endemic species of the Ryukyu Islands.
The population of Watase's shrew is declining in this area.
Katakana spelling is standard for this species name; usually written in kana.
Kanji form is rare and mainly found in older or specialized literature; the katakana form is strongly preferred.
Named after the Japanese zoologist Watase Shozaburo (渡瀬庄三郎). The Japanese name combines 渡瀬 (Watase) with 地鼠 (jinezumi, 'shrew').