Multiple paternity in wild common shrews (Sorex araneus) is confirmed by DNA-fingerprinting.

We have tested for the occurrence of multiple paternity in wild common shrews by karyotypic analysis and DNA-fingerprinting of five wild-caught females and their litters. Karyotypic data suggest that some litters were sired by more than one male, but provide no definitive evidence. By using DNA-fingerprinting, it was possible to establish that two males sired the litter of two females. The present report shows that multiple paternity is not a rare phenomenon in the common shrew and by using DNA-fingerprinting it is possible to assign individual offspring to different male parents even when none of the putative fathers are available for inspection.