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Long-tailed vole

The long-tailed vole (Microtus longicaudus), in some areas known as the San Bernardino long-tailed vole, is a small vole found in western North America. They have short ears and a long tail. Their fur is gray brown with light gray underparts. They are around 18 cm (7.1 in) long with an 8 cm (3.1 in) tail and weigh about 50 g (1.8 oz).

Long-tailed vole
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Cricetidae
Subfamily: Arvicolinae
Genus: Microtus
Subgenus: Pitymys
Species:
M. longicaudus
Binomial name
Microtus longicaudus
(Merriam, 1888)
Subspecies
List[2]
  • M. l. abditus
    A. B. Howell, 1923
  • M. l. alticola
    Merriam, 1890
  • M. l. angusticeps
    Bailey, 1898
  • M. l. angustus
    Hall, 1931
  • M. l. baileyi
    Goldman, 1938
  • M. l. bernardinus
    Merriam, 1908
  • M. l. cautus
    J. A. Allen, 1899
  • M. l. coronarius
    Swarth, 1911
  • M. l. halli
    Hayman and Holt, 1941
  • M. l. incanus
    Lee and Durrant, 1960
  • M. l. latus
    Hall, 1931
  • M. l. leucophaeus
    J. A. Allen, 1894
  • M. l. littoralis
    Swarth, 1933
  • M. l. macrurus
    Merriam, 1898
  • M. l. mordax
    Merriam, 1891
  • M. l. sierrae
    Kellogg, 1922
  • M. l. vellerosus
    J. A. Allen, 1899
Distribution of the long-tailed vole
Synonyms[3]
List
  • Arvicola (Mynomes) longicaudus
    Merriam, 1888
  • Arvicola (Mynomes) alticolus
    Merriam, 1890
  • Arvicola (Mynomes) mordax
    Merriam, 1891
  • Arvicola leucophaeus
    Allen, 1894
  • Microtus angusticeps
    Bailey, 1898
  • Microtus macrurus
    Merriam, 1898
  • Microtus vellerosus
    Allen, 1899
  • Microtus cautus
    Allen 1899

Taxonomy edit

The scientific name of the long-tailed vole is Microtus longicaudus. The generic name, Microtus, derives from the Greek words μικρός meaning "small" + οὖς "ear".[4] In Latin, the species name longicaudus derives from longus meaning "long" and cauda meaning "tail".[4] The type specimen was a female collected by Vernon Orlando Bailey in the Black Hills at an altitude around 5,500 ft (1,700 m) near Custer, South Dakota, on July 19, 1887.[5][6] The description was published by C. Hart Merriam in The American Naturalist the following year.[5] The original scientific name was Arvicola longicaudus.[5] Certain features of the molars were noted, which distinguished the long-tailed vole from other voles known at the time.[5] The species was formerly sometimes regarded as a member of the Old World genus Chionomys.[2]

The Coronation Island vole, once considered to be a separate species, is now believed to be a subspecies.[7]

Description edit

The long-tailed vole is a small terrestrial mammal.[3] They are around 18 cm (7.1 in) long with an 8 cm (3.1 in) tail. They weigh on average 50 g (1.8 oz).[8] They have a thick body and a relatively long tail.[3] The tail is bicolored and extends greater than one-third the animal's total length.[3] The type specimen measured 185 mm (7.3 in), with a 65 millimetres (2.6 in) tail and a 21 millimetres (0.83 in) hind foot.[5] The ear measured 14 millimetres (0.55 in) x 8 millimetres (0.31 in) x 13 millimetres (0.51 in).[5]

The long-tailed vole is similar in size to the meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus).[6] However, it has a longer tail, bigger ears, and grayer coat. In addition, the skull is flatter, and the cranium is wider.[6]

 
Left upper and lower molar teeth

The middle upper molar lacks a posterior-internal loop or spur.[5] Merriam also noted some "peculiarities", not otherwise specified, in the original description, which distinguish the long-tailed vole from other species known in the late 1800s.[9] This first specimen Merriam described had large ears, with folds capable of closing the ear canal opening.[5] Relative to the overall length of the animal, the tail was longer than any other vole described at that time.[5] The fur is a sooty yellow-brown with some grizzled aspects.[5] There are hints of rust coloring on the mid back.[5] The whitish underside fur is a leaden gray towards the base.[5] The underside fur blends seamlessly with the fur on the sides of the vole.[5] The undersides of the tail are darker.[5] The feet are plumbeous, a leaden gray.[6]

The genitalia of the long-tailed vole have been described. The baculum has broad and straight proximal bone. It is similar in structure to that of the meadow vole, but with different proportions. The basal shaft is dumb-bell shaped in cross section and tapers to a blunt point at the end. The shaft is broad in dimension and connects via cartilaginous linkages to three lateral segments. The glans penis has a dorsal lobe elevated above a ventral rim. The rim has spiny fingerlike processes, but not the dorsal lobe.[10] A rod shaped os clitoridis may be present, in front of the urethra.[11]

Long-tailed voles can be found with unusual dentition. A female with grooved incisors was found in the Yukon. Several other voles from Oregon were found with flattened incisors and malocclusion of their incisors and molars. A specimen in New Mexico was reported with an extra tooth in the right lower jaw.[10] An albino vole was also found in New Mexico.[4]

Long-tailed voles do not usually have the hip glands, which are found in other members of the genus Microtus. These can develop if the animal is injected with testosterone.[10] Each eyelid of the long-tailed vole has around 3-4 meibomian glands.[10]

Fossil record edit

Fossil remains date towards the end of the Wisconsinian glaciation.[10] Fossils have been collected from: Moonshiner Cave in Idaho; Agate Basin and Little Box Elder Cave in Wyoming; Chimney Rock Animal Trap in Colorado; and Burnet Cave and Dry Cave in New Mexico.[10] The fossil remains of long-tailed voles may be difficult to distinguish from those of similar small voles, such as the meadow vole and the montane vole.[10] As such, collected fossils are identified based on probabilities of occurrence within the geographic range or with other associated species.[10]

Distribution and habitat edit

 
Long-tailed voles may reside near marshes growing hardstem bullrush (Schoenoplectus acutus)

These animals are found in a wide variety of habitats, including alpine meadows and shrubby areas, often near streams.[7] They may live in dense forests of conifers or in more arid, sagebrush type of habitats. They are common in areas of disturbed habitat, including areas of recent fire, deforestation, or mining.[7] In Alaska, they do well in areas where clear-cuts have been taken.[12] In the Yukon, they are found among spruce forests and where buffaloberry grow.[12]

In the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, they reside among marshes of hardstem bullrush (Schoenoplectus acutus), cattail (Typha latifolia), baltic rush (Juncus balticus), and sedges (Carex sp.).[12]

They are found at elevations from sea level up to 3,650 m (11,980 ft) above sea level.[7] Near the southern and eastern limits of the geographic range, they tend to reside at higher elevations.[7] Their range extends throughout western North American. The northern limits are in east-central Alaska.[7] The range extends south through the western Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Northwest Territories, and Yukon.[7] It extends south and east to include the states of: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.[7]

Behavior and ecology edit

Long-tailed voles are active year-round, usually during the day.[7] However, in Alaska, they have been observed nocturnally.[7] The usually are free ranging and do not make well defined runways.[7] The breeding season begins in May and extends through September or October, depending on location.[7] The female vole has on average two litters per year, but may have as few as 1 or as many as 4.[7] In northern areas, they may have only two litters over the course of their lifetime.[7] The size of the litter is typically four or five.[7] They may have as many as eight.[10] Long-tailed vole parents will respond to ultrasonic cries made by the newborns in distress.[4] It is unusual for long-tailed voles to live more than one year.[12] Females live longer than males.[12]

The long-tailed vole are apprehensive of other voles.[12] They are found in areas inhabited by other microtines, but generally avoid contact.[13] The montane vole is a more aggressive animal and is known to displace them from their habitat.[4] The more long-tailed voles in a given area, the more aggressive the montane voles become.[4]

They feed on green plants, assorted berries, seeds, and fungi. During the winter, diet may consist of the inner bark of shrubs and trees.[7] During winters in Nevada, they have been observed eating bark and leaves of sagebrush.[12]

Predators include barn owls, great horned owls, long-eared owls, and short-eared owls.[12] Prairie falcons, peregrine falcons, red-tailed hawks and marsh hawks are also reported as predators.[12] Known or suspected mustelid predators of the long-tailed vole include ermines, long-tailed weasels, and American pine martens.[12]

Long-tailed vole populations can fluctuate widely over a period of time within a given locale. Populations densities are generally sparse, with around 5-16 voles per hectare, but this can increase to more than 40.[7]

Human interactions edit

Conservation status edit

The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) lists the animal as least concern. Long-tailed voles are common and have a very widespread geographic distribution, with a number of protected areas within the range.[7] They are also capable of adapting to changes in their environment as well.[7]

References edit

Footnotes:

  1. ^ Cassola, F. (2017) [errata version of 2016 assessment]. "Microtus longicaudus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T42627A115196586. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T42627A22348744.en.
  2. ^ a b Musser & Carleton 2005, p. 1004.
  3. ^ a b c d Smolen & Keller 1987, p. 1.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Smolen & Keller 1987, p. 5.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Merriam 1888, p. 934.
  6. ^ a b c d Bailey 1900, p. 48.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s IUCN Red List 2008.
  8. ^ Smolen & Keller 1987, p. 2.
  9. ^ Merriam 1888, p. 935.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i Smolen & Keller 1987, p. 3.
  11. ^ Ziegler, Alan C. "Occurrence of os clitoridis in Microtus." Journal of Mammalogy 42.1 (1961): 101-103.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Smolen & Keller 1987, p. 4.
  13. ^ Smolen & Keller 1987, pp. 4–5.

Sources:

  • Bailey, Vernon (1900). Revision of American Voles of the Genus Microtus. U.S. Government Printing Office.
  • Linzey, A.V. & Hammerson, G. (NatureServe) (2008). "Microtus longicaudus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  • Merriam, C Hart (October 1888). "Description of a new species of meadow mouse from the Black Hills of Dakota". The American Naturalist. 22 (262): 934–935. doi:10.1086/274802. JSTOR 2451396.
  • 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. p. 1004. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  • Smolen, Michael J.; Keller, Barry L. (27 February 1987). "Microtus longicaudus" (PDF). Mammalian Species (271): 1–7. doi:10.2307/3503956. JSTOR 3503956. Retrieved 9 December 2014.

long, tailed, vole, long, tailed, vole, microtus, longicaudus, some, areas, known, bernardino, long, tailed, vole, small, vole, found, western, north, america, they, have, short, ears, long, tail, their, gray, brown, with, light, gray, underparts, they, around. The long tailed vole Microtus longicaudus in some areas known as the San Bernardino long tailed vole is a small vole found in western North America They have short ears and a long tail Their fur is gray brown with light gray underparts They are around 18 cm 7 1 in long with an 8 cm 3 1 in tail and weigh about 50 g 1 8 oz Long tailed voleConservation statusLeast Concern IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass MammaliaOrder RodentiaFamily CricetidaeSubfamily ArvicolinaeGenus MicrotusSubgenus PitymysSpecies M longicaudusBinomial nameMicrotus longicaudus Merriam 1888 SubspeciesList 2 M l abditusA B Howell 1923M l alticolaMerriam 1890M l angusticepsBailey 1898M l angustusHall 1931M l baileyiGoldman 1938M l bernardinusMerriam 1908M l cautusJ A Allen 1899M l coronariusSwarth 1911M l halliHayman and Holt 1941M l incanusLee and Durrant 1960M l latusHall 1931M l leucophaeusJ A Allen 1894M l littoralisSwarth 1933M l macrurusMerriam 1898M l mordaxMerriam 1891M l sierraeKellogg 1922M l vellerosusJ A Allen 1899Distribution of the long tailed voleSynonyms 3 List Arvicola Mynomes longicaudusMerriam 1888Arvicola Mynomes alticolusMerriam 1890Arvicola Mynomes mordaxMerriam 1891Arvicola leucophaeusAllen 1894Microtus angusticepsBailey 1898Microtus macrurusMerriam 1898Microtus vellerosusAllen 1899Microtus cautusAllen 1899 Contents 1 Taxonomy 2 Description 2 1 Fossil record 3 Distribution and habitat 4 Behavior and ecology 5 Human interactions 5 1 Conservation status 6 ReferencesTaxonomy editThe scientific name of the long tailed vole is Microtus longicaudus The generic name Microtus derives from the Greek words mikros meaning small oὖs ear 4 In Latin the species name longicaudus derives from longus meaning long and cauda meaning tail 4 The type specimen was a female collected by Vernon Orlando Bailey in the Black Hills at an altitude around 5 500 ft 1 700 m near Custer South Dakota on July 19 1887 5 6 The description was published by C Hart Merriam in The American Naturalist the following year 5 The original scientific name was Arvicola longicaudus 5 Certain features of the molars were noted which distinguished the long tailed vole from other voles known at the time 5 The species was formerly sometimes regarded as a member of the Old World genus Chionomys 2 The Coronation Island vole once considered to be a separate species is now believed to be a subspecies 7 Description editThe long tailed vole is a small terrestrial mammal 3 They are around 18 cm 7 1 in long with an 8 cm 3 1 in tail They weigh on average 50 g 1 8 oz 8 They have a thick body and a relatively long tail 3 The tail is bicolored and extends greater than one third the animal s total length 3 The type specimen measured 185 mm 7 3 in with a 65 millimetres 2 6 in tail and a 21 millimetres 0 83 in hind foot 5 The ear measured 14 millimetres 0 55 in x 8 millimetres 0 31 in x 13 millimetres 0 51 in 5 The long tailed vole is similar in size to the meadow vole Microtus pennsylvanicus 6 However it has a longer tail bigger ears and grayer coat In addition the skull is flatter and the cranium is wider 6 nbsp Left upper and lower molar teethThe middle upper molar lacks a posterior internal loop or spur 5 Merriam also noted some peculiarities not otherwise specified in the original description which distinguish the long tailed vole from other species known in the late 1800s 9 This first specimen Merriam described had large ears with folds capable of closing the ear canal opening 5 Relative to the overall length of the animal the tail was longer than any other vole described at that time 5 The fur is a sooty yellow brown with some grizzled aspects 5 There are hints of rust coloring on the mid back 5 The whitish underside fur is a leaden gray towards the base 5 The underside fur blends seamlessly with the fur on the sides of the vole 5 The undersides of the tail are darker 5 The feet are plumbeous a leaden gray 6 The genitalia of the long tailed vole have been described The baculum has broad and straight proximal bone It is similar in structure to that of the meadow vole but with different proportions The basal shaft is dumb bell shaped in cross section and tapers to a blunt point at the end The shaft is broad in dimension and connects via cartilaginous linkages to three lateral segments The glans penis has a dorsal lobe elevated above a ventral rim The rim has spiny fingerlike processes but not the dorsal lobe 10 A rod shaped os clitoridis may be present in front of the urethra 11 Long tailed voles can be found with unusual dentition A female with grooved incisors was found in the Yukon Several other voles from Oregon were found with flattened incisors and malocclusion of their incisors and molars A specimen in New Mexico was reported with an extra tooth in the right lower jaw 10 An albino vole was also found in New Mexico 4 Long tailed voles do not usually have the hip glands which are found in other members of the genus Microtus These can develop if the animal is injected with testosterone 10 Each eyelid of the long tailed vole has around 3 4 meibomian glands 10 Fossil record edit Fossil remains date towards the end of the Wisconsinian glaciation 10 Fossils have been collected from Moonshiner Cave in Idaho Agate Basin and Little Box Elder Cave in Wyoming Chimney Rock Animal Trap in Colorado and Burnet Cave and Dry Cave in New Mexico 10 The fossil remains of long tailed voles may be difficult to distinguish from those of similar small voles such as the meadow vole and the montane vole 10 As such collected fossils are identified based on probabilities of occurrence within the geographic range or with other associated species 10 Distribution and habitat edit nbsp Long tailed voles may reside near marshes growing hardstem bullrush Schoenoplectus acutus These animals are found in a wide variety of habitats including alpine meadows and shrubby areas often near streams 7 They may live in dense forests of conifers or in more arid sagebrush type of habitats They are common in areas of disturbed habitat including areas of recent fire deforestation or mining 7 In Alaska they do well in areas where clear cuts have been taken 12 In the Yukon they are found among spruce forests and where buffaloberry grow 12 In the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge they reside among marshes of hardstem bullrush Schoenoplectus acutus cattail Typha latifolia baltic rush Juncus balticus and sedges Carex sp 12 They are found at elevations from sea level up to 3 650 m 11 980 ft above sea level 7 Near the southern and eastern limits of the geographic range they tend to reside at higher elevations 7 Their range extends throughout western North American The northern limits are in east central Alaska 7 The range extends south through the western Canadian provinces of Alberta British Columbia Northwest Territories and Yukon 7 It extends south and east to include the states of Arizona California Colorado Idaho Montana Nevada New Mexico Oregon South Dakota Utah Washington Wyoming 7 Behavior and ecology editLong tailed voles are active year round usually during the day 7 However in Alaska they have been observed nocturnally 7 The usually are free ranging and do not make well defined runways 7 The breeding season begins in May and extends through September or October depending on location 7 The female vole has on average two litters per year but may have as few as 1 or as many as 4 7 In northern areas they may have only two litters over the course of their lifetime 7 The size of the litter is typically four or five 7 They may have as many as eight 10 Long tailed vole parents will respond to ultrasonic cries made by the newborns in distress 4 It is unusual for long tailed voles to live more than one year 12 Females live longer than males 12 The long tailed vole are apprehensive of other voles 12 They are found in areas inhabited by other microtines but generally avoid contact 13 The montane vole is a more aggressive animal and is known to displace them from their habitat 4 The more long tailed voles in a given area the more aggressive the montane voles become 4 They feed on green plants assorted berries seeds and fungi During the winter diet may consist of the inner bark of shrubs and trees 7 During winters in Nevada they have been observed eating bark and leaves of sagebrush 12 Predators include barn owls great horned owls long eared owls and short eared owls 12 Prairie falcons peregrine falcons red tailed hawks and marsh hawks are also reported as predators 12 Known or suspected mustelid predators of the long tailed vole include ermines long tailed weasels and American pine martens 12 Long tailed vole populations can fluctuate widely over a period of time within a given locale Populations densities are generally sparse with around 5 16 voles per hectare but this can increase to more than 40 7 Human interactions editConservation status edit The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources IUCN lists the animal as least concern Long tailed voles are common and have a very widespread geographic distribution with a number of protected areas within the range 7 They are also capable of adapting to changes in their environment as well 7 References editFootnotes Cassola F 2017 errata version of 2016 assessment Microtus longicaudus IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016 e T42627A115196586 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2016 3 RLTS T42627A22348744 en a b Musser amp Carleton 2005 p 1004 a b c d Smolen amp Keller 1987 p 1 a b c d e f Smolen amp Keller 1987 p 5 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Merriam 1888 p 934 a b c d Bailey 1900 p 48 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s IUCN Red List 2008 Smolen amp Keller 1987 p 2 Merriam 1888 p 935 a b c d e f g h i Smolen amp Keller 1987 p 3 Ziegler Alan C Occurrence of os clitoridis in Microtus Journal of Mammalogy 42 1 1961 101 103 a b c d e f g h i j Smolen amp Keller 1987 p 4 Smolen amp Keller 1987 pp 4 5 Sources Bailey Vernon 1900 Revision of American Voles of the GenusMicrotus U S Government Printing Office Linzey A V amp Hammerson G NatureServe 2008 Microtus longicaudus IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008 Retrieved 9 December 2014 old form url Merriam C Hart October 1888 Description of a new species of meadow mouse from the Black Hills of Dakota The American Naturalist 22 262 934 935 doi 10 1086 274802 JSTOR 2451396 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 p 1004 ISBN 978 0 8018 8221 0 OCLC 62265494 Smolen Michael J Keller Barry L 27 February 1987 Microtus longicaudus PDF Mammalian Species 271 1 7 doi 10 2307 3503956 JSTOR 3503956 Retrieved 9 December 2014 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Long tailed vole amp oldid 1193575890, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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