Soritomorpha

Soritomorpha is an informal but widely used grouping within the infraorder Soricomorpha. This classification encompasses several families of placental mammals, primarily insectivores, though their phylogenetic relationships have been subject to revision. Historically, Soritomorpha included hedgehogs, shrews, moles, and solenodons. However, modern molecular and morphological studies have led to a restructuring of these groups. Hedgehogs are now often placed in their own order, Erinaceomorpha, while the remaining families, Soricidae (shrews), Talpidae (moles and desmans), and Solenodontidae (solenodons), are retained within Soricomorpha. This shifting classification highlights the dynamic nature of evolutionary biology and the ongoing refinement of our understanding of mammalian diversity. The members of this group are generally small to medium-sized mammals, characterized by their pointed snouts and adaptations for insectivorous diets. They are found across a wide range of habitats globally, with varying degrees of fossorial or semi-aquatic lifestyles.