Microtus

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Microtus
Temporal range: Late Pliocene - recent
Microtus lusitanicus.jpg
Lusitanian pine vole
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Cricetidae
Subfamily: Arvicolinae
Tribe: Microtini
Genus: Microtus
Schrank, 1798
Subgenera

Blanfordimys
Euarvicola
Hyranicola
Iberomys
Microtus
Pedomys
Pitymys
Terricola
† Tyrrhenicola

Microtus is a genus of voles found in North America, Europe and northern Asia. The genus name refers to the small ears of these animals. They are stout rodents with short ears, legs and tails. They eat green vegetation such as grasses and sedges in summer, and grains, seeds, root and bark at other times. The genus is also called "meadow voles". [1]

Microtus skulls (Bailey, 1900) Microtus skulls Bailey 1900.jpg
Microtus skulls (Bailey, 1900)
Microtus skull bases (Bailey, 1900) Microtus skulls Bailey 1900 bottom.jpg
Microtus skull bases (Bailey, 1900)

There is some disagreement on the definitive list of species in this genus, and which subgenera are recognized. The American Society of Mammalogists recognizes the following 60 species, with discrepancies as noted: [2]

Subgenus Blanfordimys

Subgenus Euarvicola

Subgenus Hyrcanicola (not recognized by the ASM, listed in subgenus Microtus)

Subgenus Iberomys

Subgenus Microtus

Subgenus Pedomys (not recognized by the ASM, listed in subgenus Pitymys)

Subgenus Pitymys (includes the former subgenus Mynomes )

Subgenus Terricola

The IUCN recognizes these additional species:

There is also at least one known subfossil species known:
Subgenus † Tyrrhenicola

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arvicolinae</span> Subfamily of rodents

The Arvicolinae are a subfamily of rodents that includes the voles, lemmings, and muskrats. They are most closely related to the other subfamilies in the Cricetidae. Some authorities place the subfamily Arvicolinae in the family Muridae along with all other members of the superfamily Muroidea. Some refer to the subfamily as the Microtinae or rank the taxon as a full family, the Arvicolidae.

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

The short-tailed field vole, short-tailed vole, or simply field vole is a grey-brown vole, around 10 cm in length, with a short tail. It is one of the most common mammals in Europe, with a range extending from the Atlantic coast to Lake Baikal. These voles are found in moist grassy habitats, such as woodland, marsh or on river banks. Although they make shallow burrows, they usually build nests above ground. They are an important food source for owls and some other predators and their population size tends to peak and trough cyclically. Field voles breed prolifically, mainly in summer, but often all year round, even under snow. Females produce up to seven litters a year, each averaging from four to six young which are weaned after about fourteen days. The short-tailed field vole is both widespread and common and is listed as being of "Least Concern" by the IUCN.

<i>Arvicola</i> Genus of mammals (water voles)

Water voles are large voles in the genus Arvicola. They are found in both aquatic and dry habitat through Europe and much of northern Asia. A water vole found in Western North America was historically considered a member of this genus, but has been shown to be more closely related to members of the genus Microtus. Head and body lengths are 12–22 cm, tail lengths are 6.5–12.5 cm, and their weights are 70–250 g. The animals may exhibit indeterminate growth. They are thick-furred and have hairy fringes on their feet that improve their swimming ability.

Blanfordimys is a subgenus of voles in the family Microtus. It was formerly considered a distinct genus, but taxonomic studies group it within the Microtus radiation.

<i>Chionomys</i> Genus of rodents

Chionomys is a genus of rodent in the family Cricetidae.

The Evorsk vole is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is found only in Russia. It is a stout rodent with short ears, legs and tails. This species lives in grassy areas where it eats green vegetation such as grasses and sedges in summer, and grains, seeds, roots and bark at other times.

Gerbe's vole or the Pyrenean pine vole is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae found in the in France, Andorra, and Spain.

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

The narrow-headed vole is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It was previously placed in the genus Microtus, but modern listings either lump this into genus Lasiopodomys or split it out into Stenocranius. It ranges over northern and central Asia.

The juniper vole is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is found in Afghanistan, China, Pakistan and Tajikistan. It was formerly classified in the genus Neodon, but genetic evidence indicates that it is classified within the subgenus Blanfordimys in Microtus.

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

The lacustrine vole is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is found in China and Mongolia.

Middendorff's vole is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is found only in Russia, most commonly north Siberia.

The Mongolian vole is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is found in China, Mongolia, and Russia.

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

The Japanese grass vole is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is found only in Japan.

The Muya Valley vole or Muisk vole is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is found only in Russia.

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

The creeping vole, sometimes known as the Oregon meadow mouse, is a small rodent in the family Cricetidae. Ranging across the Pacific Northwest of North America, it is found in forests, grasslands, woodlands, and chaparral environments. The small-tailed, furry, brownish-gray mammal was first described in the scientific literature in 1839, from a specimen collected near the mouth of the Columbia River. The smallest vole in its range, it weighs around 19 g. At birth, they weigh 1.6 g, are naked, pink, unable to open their eyes, and the ear flaps completely cover the ear openings. Although not always common throughout their range, there are no major concerns for their survival as a species.

The Sakhalin vole is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is found only in Russia.

<i>Pitymys</i> Subgenus of rodents

Pitymys is a subgenus of voles in the genus Microtus. Species in this subgenus are:

<i>Alexandromys</i> Genus of rodents

Alexandromys is a genus of voles in the subfamily Arvicolinae, formerly a subgenus of the genus Microtus. Species in this genus are:

The Kerman vole or Baluchistan vole is a species of vole. It is found in Kerman Province, Iran.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Microtini</span> Tribe of rodents

Microtini is a tribe of voles in the subfamily Arvicolinae.

References

  1. ↑ "Microtus". ITIS database.
  2. ↑ Mammal Diversity Database (2023). "Mammal Diversity Database (Version 1.11) [Data set]". Zenodo. doi:10.5281/zenodo.7830771.
  3. ↑ "Microtus lavernedii". ASM Mammal Diversity Database. 1.11. American Society of Mammalogists.
  4. ↑ "Microtus rozianus". ASM Mammal Diversity Database. 1.11. American Society of Mammalogists.
  5. ↑ "Microtus hartingi". ASM Mammal Diversity Database. 1.11. American Society of Mammalogists.
  6. ↑ "Microtus mustersi". ASM Mammal Diversity Database. 1.11. American Society of Mammalogists.
  7. ↑ "Microtus obscurus". ASM Mammal Diversity Database. 1.11. American Society of Mammalogists.
  8. ↑ "Microtus rossiaemeridionalis". ASM Mammal Diversity Database. 1.11. American Society of Mammalogists.
  9. ↑ "Microtus mogollonensis". ASM Mammal Diversity Database. 1.11. American Society of Mammalogists.
  10. ↑ "Microtus fingeri". ASM Mammal Diversity Database. 1.11. American Society of Mammalogists.
  11. ↑ "Microtus nebrodensis". ASM Mammal Diversity Database. 1.11. American Society of Mammalogists.
  12. ↑ "Microtus abbreviatus". ASM Mammal Diversity Database. 1.12.1. American Society of Mammalogists.
  13. ↑ Yigit, N.; Kennerley, R. (2019). "Microtus elbeyli". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T112465222A112465231. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T112465222A112465231.en . Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  14. ↑ Kennerley, R. (2016). "Microtus qazvinensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T136565A22350870. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T136565A22350870.en . Retrieved 5 May 2023.
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