elliptic trough shell vs Eurasian pygmy shrew

Spisula elliptica compared with Sorex minutus

Key Differences

• elliptic trough shell is Least Concern while Eurasian pygmy shrew is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	elliptic trough shell	Eurasian pygmy shrew
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Mollusca (Mollusks)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Bivalvia (Bivalvia)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Venerida (Venerida)	Soricomorpha (Soricomorpha)
Family	Mactridae	Soricidae
Genus	Spisula	Sorex
Species	Spisula elliptica	Sorex minutus

Evolutionary Relationship

elliptic trough shell and Eurasian pygmy shrew share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Animals)

Conservation Status

elliptic trough shell

LC — Least Concern

Eurasian pygmy shrew

VU — Vulnerable

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	elliptic trough shell	Eurasian pygmy shrew
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

elliptic trough shell

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Eurasian pygmy shrew

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found across Europe (6 countries). Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Eurasian pygmy shrew

Eurasian pygmy shrew (Sorex minutus) is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List. Facing a high risk of endangerment in the wild, with declining populations and increasing habitat pressure.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 4 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden