A shrew belonging to the genus Sorex and displaying an entirely new karyotype (2N = 52, NF = 52) has been found in Italy, where it coexists with Sorex araneus. the form with 52 chromosomes differs from S. araneus in some cranial and dental characters. On the other hand, it is very similar to the type of Sorex samniticus Altobello, 1926, whose specific status is thus confirmed.