‘Shrew’-d study: Arctic shrews, parasites indicate climate change effect on ecosystems

The shrew and its parasites — even 40-year-old preserved ones — are the new indicators of environmental change, according a researcher. A new study indicates a changes in shrews’ ranges whenever the climate warms. Using archived field collections of shrews, the researchers can collect DNA, the animals’ diets and parasites that can be used to predict future changes and how changes with shrews can affect large animal communities.