| Summary: | The genus <i>Crocidura</i> (Eulipotyphla, Soricidae) is the most speciose genus amongst mammals, i.e., it includes the highest number of species. Different species are distinguished by skull morphology, which often prevents the identification of individuals in the field and limits research on these species’ ecology and biology. We combined species distribution models and molecular analyses to assess the distribution of cryptic <i>Crocidura</i> shrews in Italy, confirming the occurrence of the greater white-toothed shrew <i>Crocidura russula</i> in the northwest of the country. The molecular identification ascertained the species’ presence in two distinct Italian regions. Accordingly, species distribution modelling highlighted the occurrence of areas suitable for <i>C. russula</i> in the westernmost part of northern Italy. Our results confirm the role of Italy as a mammal hotspot in the Mediterranean; additionally, they also show the need to include <i>C. russula</i> in Italian faunal checklists. To conclude, we highlight the usefulness of combining different approaches to explore the presence of cryptic species outside their known ranges. Since the similar, smaller <i>C. suaveolens</i> may be displaced by the larger <i>C. russula</i> through competitive exclusion, the latter might be the species actually present where <i>C. suaveolens</i> had been reported previously. A comprehensive and detailed survey is therefore required to assess the current distribution of these species.
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