Apollo vs Colombian Small-eared Shrew

Parnassius apollo compared with Cryptotis colombiana

Key Differences

• Apollo is Near Threatened while Colombian Small-eared Shrew is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Apollo	Colombian Small-eared Shrew
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Arthropoda (Arthropods)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Insecta (Insects)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Lepidoptera (Butterflies & Moths)	Soricomorpha (Soricomorpha)
Family	Papilionidae	Soricidae
Genus	Parnassius	Cryptotis
Species	Parnassius apollo	Cryptotis colombiana

Evolutionary Relationship

Apollo and Colombian Small-eared Shrew share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Animals)

Conservation Status

Apollo

NT — Near Threatened

Colombian Small-eared Shrew

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Apollo	Colombian Small-eared Shrew
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Apollo

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Found across Europe (29 countries). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Colombian Small-eared Shrew

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found in Colombia.

Apollo

Apollo (Parnassius apollo) is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List. Close to qualifying as threatened, with populations that may become vulnerable without conservation action.

Colombian Small-eared Shrew

<em>Cryptotis colombiana</em>, the Colombian small-eared shrew, is a diminutive insectivorous mammal belonging to the family Soricidae, endemic to Colombia. This species typically inhabits montane environments, including humid cloud forests and high-altitude grasslands known locally as páramo, where it forages actively through leaf litter and soil for invertebrate prey. Small-eared shrews of the genus <em>Cryptotis</em> are characterised by their notably reduced external ears, high metabolic rates, and nearly constant activity cycles driven by the energetic demands of maintaining body temperature. <em>Cryptotis colombiana</em> is currently assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN, suggesting that its population is relatively stable within its Colombian range. Despite this status, Andean shrews face ongoing pressures from land conversion, cattle grazing in páramo ecosystems, and climate-driven shifts in vegetation zones. The species contributes to soil aeration and invertebrate population regulation within its montane habitat. Biological traits of this species remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.