A new species of small-eared shrew (Soricidae, Cryptotis) from El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve, Chiapas, Mexico.

This article focuses on the taxonomic evaluation and description of a new species of small-eared shrew within the Cryptotis goodwini species group, endemic to the cloud forests of El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve in Chiapas, Mexico. Using morphological and biogeographic analyses alongside previous genetic data, the study confirms that this population represents a distinct lineage, described as Cryptotis woodmani, the largest shrew in the group, characterized by a large skull, broad manus, and robust humerus. Ecological niche modeling indicates long-term geographic isolation of this species in the mountains of El Triunfo, supporting its evolutionary distinctiveness. The article also reports the first confirmed record of Cryptotis goodwini (sensu stricto) in Mexico and highlights priority regions for future field surveys to better understand the diversity and distribution of the C. goodwini group in Nuclear Central America.