A new sample of shrews from Lesbos was examinded in ordrer to re-evaluate the contradictory taxonomic conclusions of earler reports. Based on karyological analyses the syntopic occurence of C. leucodon (2n=28) and S. suaveolens (2n=40) is proven. In addition to Crete and Krk, this is a third Mediterranean island with evidence of two sympatric species of the genus Crocidura. This situation weakens the hypothesis that competitive exclusion is the explanation why only one species occurs on most islands. Very low probability of island colonization by shrewa, exemplified by islands without any Crocidura, may account for this situation at least partially.