Mediterranean pine vole

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Mediterranean pine vole
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Cricetidae
Subfamily: Arvicolinae
Genus: Microtus
Subgenus: Terricola
Species:
M. duodecimcostatus
Binomial name
Microtus duodecimcostatus

The Mediterranean pine vole (Microtus duodecimcostatus) is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. [2] It is found in France, Andorra, Portugal, and Spain where it lives in a network of shallow tunnels.

Contents

Description

The Mediterranean pine vole has a head and body length of 3.5 to 4.25 inches (89 to 108 mm) and a short tail measuring 0.75 to 1.75 inches (19 to 44 mm). It weighs approximately 1 ounce (28 g). The head is broad, the ears small and the eyes medium-sized. The fur is soft and dense, the upperparts being yellowish grey-brown and the underparts somewhat paler. Young animals are rather more grey. [3]

Distribution and habitat

Distribution map Microtus duodecimcostatus map.png
Distribution map

The Mediterranean pine vole is endemic to the greater Iberian Peninsula. Its range extends from southern France through Andorra, Portugal, and Spain, except for the northwestern corner of Spain, at altitudes of up to 2,250 metres (7,380 ft). It is widespread throughout its range and in some parts is common, with four hundred to six hundred animals per hectare having been recorded. [1] It does not experience wide population swings as does the woodland vole (Microtus pinetorum). [4] This species is mostly found in lowland areas where the soil is deep and light. It is found in clover-rich pasture, meadows, fallow land [3] and orchards. In years in which it is plentiful it can be an agricultural pest. [1]

Behaviour

The Mediterranean pine vole is mainly diurnal. It makes an extensive network of shallow tunnels, throwing up small piles of earth as it excavates. It feeds on grasses, clover, alfalfa, roots and crop plants and it stores food in its burrow for the winter. Breeding seems to take place at any time of year. A chamber is prepared deep in the burrow system and lined with dried vegetation. In this a litter of up to eight young are born after a gestation period of about twenty days. [3] Life expectancy is about two years with two males in a study being recaptured 33 months after their original capture. These are believed to be the longest individual lifespans of voles ever recorded. [4]

Status

In its Red Book of Endangered Species, the IUCN list the Mediterranean pine vole as being of "Least Concern". This is because it is a common species and the population is fairly stable. The main threat comes from the use by farmers of pest control measures which may cause severe setbacks to local populations. [1]

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern meadow vole</span> Species of mammal

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<i>Microtus</i> Genus of rodents

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">North American water vole</span> Species of rodent

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rock vole</span> Species of rodent

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Woodland vole</span> Species of rodent

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prairie vole</span> Species of mammal

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Short-tailed field vole</span> Species of rodent

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bank vole</span> Species of rodent

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">California vole</span> Species of rodent

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beach vole</span> Subspecies of rodent

The beach vole or Muskeget vole is a rodent in the family Cricetidae. This close relative of the eastern meadow vole is endemic to the 0.87 km2 Muskeget Island, Massachusetts. Due to its relatively short period of reproductive isolation, there is debate over the beach vole's designation as a subspecies of M. pennsylvanicus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cabrera's vole</span> Species of rodent

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Creeping vole</span> Species of rodent

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chinese zokor</span> Species of rodent

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Aulagnier, S. (2016). "Microtus duodecimcostatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T13493A513875. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T13493A513875.en . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. Musser, G.G.; Carleton, M.D. (2005). "Superfamily Muroidea". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 996–997. ISBN   978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC   62265494.
  3. 1 2 3 Konig, Claus (1973). Mammals. Collins & Co. pp. 114–115. ISBN   978-0-00-212080-7.
  4. 1 2 Paradis, E.; Guédon, G. (1993). "Demography of a Mediterranean microtine: the Mediterranean pine vole, Microtus duodecimcostatus". Oecologia. 95 (1): 47–53. Bibcode:1993Oecol..95...47P. doi:10.1007/BF00649505. PMID   28313310. S2CID   20284753.