Montane water vole

Montane water vole
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Rodentia
Family:	Cricetidae
Subfamily:	Arvicolinae
Genus:	Arvicola
Species:	A. scherman
Binomial name
Arvicola scherman Shaw, 1801

The Montane water vole (Arvicola scherman) is a fossorial species of vole found throughout Central and Western Europe, northern Spain, and central Romania, particularly in high-altitude mountain regions such as the Alps, Pyrenees, and Carpathians. Arvicola scherman was initially regarded as a subspecies of Arvicola terrestris but was later redesignated as a species by Panteleyev in 2000. Unlike its close relative, the European water vole ( Arvicola amphibius ), which is semi-aquatic, the Montane water vole has adapted to a burrowing lifestyle in mountainous environments. Genetic and fossil evidence suggest that the Arvicola species originated during the Pleistocene epoch, with the Montane water vole diverging due to habitat specialization and geographic isolation. While the American Society of Mammalogists treats A. scherman as a synonym of Arvicola amphibius , genetic studies indicate distinct differences between the two species.

Taxonomy and Classification

Etymology and Naming

The species Arvicola Scherman (Shaw, 1801), formerly known as Arvicola terrestris, is considered to be a member of the genus Arvicola along with another closely related species part of water voles that includes the European water vole (Arvicola amphibius). ^[2] The common name “Montane Water Vole” refers to its preference for mountainous and high-altitude habitats, distinguishing it from its water vole relative. ^{[2] [3]}

Evolutionary History

The Montane water vole belongs to the subfamily Arvicolinae that primarily consists of voles, lemmings, and muskrats. Current fossil evidence ^[4] suggests that Arvicola species originated during the Pleistocene epoch, around 2.5 million years ago to 11,700 years ago, evolving as a result of fluctuating glacial and interglacial periods in Eurasia during that time. ^[5]

Studies examining the mitochondrial DNA of various water vole species have suggested that the Montane water vole species diverged from its close relative, the European water vole, due to differences in habitat preference and ecological pressures. ^[4] While the European water vole adapted to semi-aquatic environments, like rivers and wetlands, Montane water voles diverged towards a more fossorial, or burrowing, lifestyle in higher-altitude habitats. This specialization allowed the species to thrive in montane and subalpine grasslands in Eurasia. Genetic studies suggest modern populations of Montane water vole show regional variations, most likely due to past geographic isolation and recolonization of montane habitats. ^{[2] [6] [7]}

Distribution and Habitat

Geographic Range

The Montane water vole is primarily found in Central and Western Europe, with populations distributed across the Alps, Pyrenees, Carpathians, and other mountainous regions. Its range includes countries such as France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Romania, Spain, and parts of Eastern Europe. ^[1] Unlike the closely related European water vole, which is semi-aquatic, Montane water voles are a fossorial species, preferring underground burrow systems in upland environments.

Preferred Habitat

Montane water voles are typically found in montane and subalpine meadows, pastures and grasslands, forested slopes, clearing, and agricultural fields. ^[1] The species is adapted to high-altitude environments and prefers habitats with soft, well-drained soil for burrowing and avoids waterlogged areas suitable for European water voles.

Habitat Adaptations and Ecological Role

Because of its burrowing nature, Montane water voles play a significant role in soil aeration and nutrient cycling. It is known to create complex tunnel systems that can influence plant growth and local microhabitats. ^[8] While beneficial to ecosystems, its burrowing activities can sometimes conflict with agricultural practices, specifically in grazing lands where it may be considered a pest. ^{[6] [7] [9]}

Research and Conservation Efforts

Scientific Research

The Montane water vole has been the subject of various ecological and genetic studies, particularly its burrowing behavior, population dynamics, and evolutionary history. Key areas of research include:

• Genetic diversity and population dynamics — Studies using mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite markers have examined the genetic differentiation among regional populations, highlighting the effects of geographic isolation and habitat fragmentation. ^{[4] [9] [10]}
• Burrowing and ecosystem impact – Research has explored the species’ fossorial lifestyle influences soil aeration, nutrient cycling, parasite occurrence, and plant distribution in montane grasslands. ^{[11] [12]}
• Human-wildlife interactions – Some studies have focused on the vole’s impact on agriculture, particularly in grazing lands, where its burrowing activity can disrupt pastures and orchards. ^{[8] [13] [14]}

Conservation Status

Currently classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List, as it has widespread distribution across Europe and does not face immediate threats of extinction. ^[1] However, certain populations may be vulnerable to threats due to habitat loss, pest control measures, and climate change. ^{[15] [16]}

References

1. Cassola, F. (2017) [errata version of 2016 assessment]. "Arvicola scherman". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T136766A115519839. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T136766A22358636.en . Retrieved 9 November 2022.
2. Balmori-de la Puente, Alfonso; Ventura, Jacint; Miñarro, Marcos; Somoano, Aitor; Hey, Jody; Castresana, Jose (2022-03-08). "Divergence time estimation using ddRAD data and an isolation-with-migration model applied to water vole populations of Arvicola". Scientific Reports. 12 (1): 4065. Bibcode:2022NatSR..12.4065B. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-07877-y. hdl: 20.500.12613/9436 . ISSN   2045-2322. PMC   8904462 . PMID   35260719.
3. Somoano, Aitor (2024-11-14). "Update on the distribution of the fossorial water vole, Arvicola scherman, in Asturias and Leon, NW Spain". Galemys, Spanish Journal of Mammalogy. 36: 1–5. doi:10.7325/Galemys.2024.N7.
4. Chevret, Pascale; Renaud, Sabrina; Helvaci, Zeycan; Ulrich, Rainer G.; Quéré, Jean-Pierre; Michaux, Johan R. (2020-05-13). "Genetic structure, ecological versatility, and skull shape differentiation in Arvicola water voles (Rodentia, Cricetidae)". Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research. 58 (4): 1323–1334. doi:10.1111/jzs.12384. ISSN   0947-5745.
5. Cuenca-Bescós, Gloria; Agustí, Jordi; Lira, Jaime; Rubio, Maria Melero; Rofes, Juan (December 2010). "A New Species of Water Vole from the Early Pleistocene of Southern Europe". Acta Palaeontologica Polonica. 55 (4): 565–580. doi: 10.4202/app.2009.0027 . ISSN   0567-7920.
6. Somoano, Aitor; Bastos-Silveira, Cristiane; Ventura, Jacint; Miñarro, Marcos; Heckel, Gerald (2022-05-27). "A Bocage Landscape Restricts the Gene Flow of Pest Vole Populations". Life. 12 (6): 800. Bibcode:2022Life...12..800S. doi: 10.3390/life12060800 . hdl: 10451/55805 . ISSN   2075-1729. PMC   9225191 . PMID   35743831.
7. Romero-Suances, Rafael (2015). "Environmental factors influencing the distribution of Arvicola scherman (Shaw, 1801) at the southwestern edge of its distribution". Munibe Ciencias Naturales. 63: 099–116. doi: 10.21630/mcn.2015.63.05 . ISSN   0214-7688.
8. Somoano, Aitor; Ventura, Jacint; Miñarro, Marcos (April 2017). "Continuous breeding of fossorial water voles in northwestern Spain: potential impact on apple orchards". Folia Zoologica. 66 (1): 29–36. doi:10.25225/fozo.v66.i1.a6.2017. ISSN   0139-7893.
9. Giraudoux, P (1997-11-17). "Population dynamics of fossorial water vole (Arvicola terrestris scherman): a land use and landscape perspective". Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment. 66 (1): 47–60. Bibcode:1997AgEE...66...47G. doi:10.1016/s0167-8809(97)80706-2. ISSN   0167-8809.
10. Cerqueira, Dominique; De Sousa, B.; Gabrion, C.; Giraudoux, P.; Quéré, J.P.; Delattre, P. (July 2006). "Cyclic changes in the population structure and reproductive pattern of the water vole, Arvicola terrestris Linnaeus, 1758". Mammalian Biology. 71 (4): 193–202. Bibcode:2006MamBi..71..193C. doi:10.1016/j.mambio.2006.01.004. ISSN   1616-5047.
11. Nicod, Corentin; Couval, Geoffroy; Giraudoux, Patrick; Gillet, François (July 2020). "Vole disturbances and plant community diversity in a productive hay meadow". Acta Oecologica. 106 103585. Bibcode:2020AcO...10603585N. doi: 10.1016/j.actao.2020.103585 . ISSN   1146-609X.
12. Beerli, Olivia; Guerra, Diogo; Baltrunaite, Laima; Deplazes, Peter; Hegglin, Daniel (2017-12-13). "Microtus arvalis and Arvicola scherman: Key Players in the Echinococcus multilocularis Life Cycle". Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 4 216. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2017.00216 . ISSN   2297-1769. PMC   5733337 . PMID   29326950.
13. Morilhat, Céline; Bernard, Nadine; Bournais, Corentin; Meyer, Caroline; Lamboley, Céline; Giraudoux, Patrick (November 2007). "Responses of Arvicola terrestris scherman populations to agricultural practices, and to Talpa europaea abundance in eastern France". Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment. 122 (3): 392–398. Bibcode:2007AgEE..122..392M. doi:10.1016/j.agee.2007.02.005. ISSN   0167-8809.
14. Somoano, Aitor; Miñarro, Marcos; Ventura, Jacint (2017-01-20). "Reproductive potential of a vole pest (Arvicola scherman) in Spanish apple orchards". Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research. 14 (4): e1008. doi:10.5424/sjar/2016144-9870. ISSN   2171-9292.
15. "Why there's reason to hope for Britain's fastest declining mammal". Animals. 2025-02-15. Retrieved 2025-02-15.
16. "Water vole". People's Trust for Endangered Species. Retrieved 2025-02-15.

Sources

• Musser, G. G.; Carleton, M. D. (2005). "Species Arvicola scherman". 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. 894–1531. ISBN   978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC   62265494.