We selected the common shrew (Sorex araneus) to generate the first insectivore gene map. Shrew-Chinese hamster and shrew- mouse somatic cell hybrid cells were constructed. When the 119 shrew-rodent clones were characterized, only shrew chromosomes were found to have segregated. A panel of hybrid clones was selected for gene assignment. The genes for hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT), glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), and malate dehydrogenase 1 (MDH1) were assigned to shrew Chromosome (Chr) de [which is the product of a tandem fusion between the 'original' mammalian X Chromosome (Chr) and an autosome], the gene for adenosine deaminase (ADA) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase se (PGD) to Chromosome jl, the gene for thymidine kinase (TK) to Chromosome hn, and the gene for lactate dehydrogenase (LDHA) to chromosome ik. Further studies in progress.