In five specimens examined in a tea plantation on Mount Huang in 2017, the coat was slightly metallic grey-brown, darker on the back, and the nearly naked tail carried sparse long bristles.
The five specimens collected in 2017 had head-and-body lengths of 50.45–61.97 mm and weighed 4.35–7.77 g. They had small heads, long elephant-like noses, small eyes, and rounded ears. Their slightly metallic coat was grey-brown and darker on the back. The tail was close in color to the coat, nearly naked, and had sparse long bristles.
The Huangshan White-toothed Shrew is a small mammal of China’s Huangshan mountains. It has an elongated snout, small eyes, rounded ears and sparse long hairs on its tail.
A 2020 study examined differences from similar neighbours. Researchers compared five shrews collected in 2017 with specimens of two other species. Measurements at 24 skull dimensions, together with external measurements, separated the Huangshan sample as a smaller group.
They also examined a maternally inherited mitochondrial gene from muscle samples. The five sequences grouped together apart from the other species compared. Combined with skull and dental evidence, this supported recognition as a new species. Several kinds of evidence revealed differences behind a similar appearance.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.
Supported by biodiversity survey and monitoring programmes, the 2020 study deposited specimens and tissues in Anhui University’s museum. Using such reference material to identify shrews while surveying their distribution and habitat condition would strengthen the basis for conservation.