Taxon Remarks: From Woodman (2018): "Phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene indicated that S. monticola, as considered by Alexander (1996), is not monophyletic but includes three genetically divergent clades (Demboski and Cook, 2001; Shafer and Stewart, 2007)." According to Demboski & Cook (2001), the “northern continental clade" belongs to Sorex obscurus, and the “southern continental clade” belongs to the Southern Montane Shrew (Sorex monticolus), and the "coastal clade" belongs to the Pacific Shrew (Sorex pacificus). Further studies will be needed to fully understand new species boundaries and morphological variation.