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Microtus

Microtus

Overview
The genus Microtus is a group of vole
Vole
A vole is a small rodent resembling a mouse but with a stouter body, a shorter hairy tail, a slightly rounder head, and smaller ears and eyes. There are approximately 155 species of voles. They are sometimes known as meadow mice or field mice in North America...

s found in North America
North America
North America is the northern continent of the Americas, situated in the Earth's northern hemisphere and in the western hemisphere. It is bordered on the north by the Arctic Ocean, on the east by the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southeast by the Caribbean Sea, and on the west by the North Pacific...

 and northern Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally divided from Asia to its east by the water divide of the Ural Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus Mountains , and the Black Sea to the southeast...

 and Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.6% of the earth's total surface area and with approximately 4 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population.Asia is traditionally defined as part of the...

. The genus name refers to the small ears of these animals. There are 62 species in the genus.
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Encyclopedia
The genus Microtus is a group of vole
Vole
A vole is a small rodent resembling a mouse but with a stouter body, a shorter hairy tail, a slightly rounder head, and smaller ears and eyes. There are approximately 155 species of voles. They are sometimes known as meadow mice or field mice in North America...

s found in North America
North America
North America is the northern continent of the Americas, situated in the Earth's northern hemisphere and in the western hemisphere. It is bordered on the north by the Arctic Ocean, on the east by the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southeast by the Caribbean Sea, and on the west by the North Pacific...

 and northern Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally divided from Asia to its east by the water divide of the Ural Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus Mountains , and the Black Sea to the southeast...

 and Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.6% of the earth's total surface area and with approximately 4 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population.Asia is traditionally defined as part of the...

. The genus name refers to the small ears of these animals. There are 62 species in the genus.

These animals live in grassy areas. They are stout rodents with short ears, legs and tails. They eat green vegetation such as grasses and sedges in summer and grains, seeds, roots and bark at other times. The genus is also called "meadow voles" (ITIS database)

The complete list of species is:
    • Insular Vole
      Insular Vole
      The Insular Vole or St. Matthew Island Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family. There have been relatively few observations of the species, due to the inaccessibility of St. Matthew Island and the adjacent Hall Island, the only locations it has been found...

        (Microtus abbreviatus)
    • California Vole
      California Vole
      The California Vole is a type of vole which lives throughout much of California and some southwestern Oregon. It is also known as the California Meadow Mouse. It averages 172 mm in length although this length varies greatly between subspecies.A number of California Vole subspecies have been...

       (Microtus californicus)
    • Rock Vole
      Rock Vole
      The Rock Vole is a medium-sized vole found in eastern North America. It is also called the Yellow-nosed Vole....

       (Microtus chrotorrhinus)
    • Long-tailed Vole
      Long-tailed Vole
      The Long-tailed Vole is a small vole found in western North America. The Coronation Island Vole, once considered to be a separate species, is now believed to be a subspecies....

       (Microtus longicaudus)
    • Mexican Vole
      Mexican Vole
      The Mexican Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found in Mexico and the United States.-References:...

       (Microtus mexicanus)
    • Singing Vole
      Singing Vole
      The Singing Vole, Microtus miurus, is a medium-sized vole found in northwestern North America, including Alaska and northwestern Canada.-Physical characteristics:...

       (Microtus miurus)
    • Water Vole
      Water Vole (North America)
      The Water Vole, Microtus richardsoni, is the largest North American vole. It is found in the northwestern United States and southern parts of western Canada...

       (Microtus richardsoni)
    • Zempoaltépec Vole
      Zempoaltépec Vole
      The Zempoaltépec Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found only in Mexico.-References:...

       (Microtus umbrosus)
    • Taiga Vole
      Taiga Vole
      The Taiga Vole, Microtus xanthognathus, is a large vole found in northwestern North America, including Alaska and northwestern Canada. It is also sometimes called the Yellow-cheeked Vole or Chestnut-cheeked Vole....

       (Microtus xanthognathus)
  • Subgenus Microtus
    • Field Vole
      Field Vole
      The field vole or short-tailed vole, Microtus agrestis, is a grey-brown vole, around 110mm in length, with only a short tail. They are one of the most common mammals in Europe, ranging from the Atlantic coast to Lake Baikal. They are found in moist grassy habitats, such as woodland, marsh, or...

       (Microtus agrestis)
    • Anatolian Vole
      Anatolian Vole
      The Anatolian Vole or Microtus anatolicus, is a species of vole found in Turkey, specifically Konya Province.-References:*Musser, G. G. and M. D. Carleton. 2005. Superfamily Muroidea. Pp. 894-1531 in Mammal Species of the World a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder...

       (Microtus anatolicus)
    • Common Vole
      Common Vole
      The Common Vole, Microtus arvalis, is a European mammal.- Distribution and habitat :The common vole is hardly restricted in means of distribution and habitat and inhabits large areas of Eurasia. As Microtus arvalis followed human civilisation, primary and secondary habitats can be distinguished...

       (Microtus arvalis)
    • Cabrera's Vole
      Cabrera's Vole
      Cabrera's Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found in France, Portugal, and Spain.-References:* Amori, G. 1996. . Downloaded on 19 July 2007....

       (Microtus cabrerae)
    • Doğramaci's Vole
      Dogramaci's Vole
      Doğramaci's Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family. It is found only in central Turkey, and is similar to the Social Vole although different in terms of cranial proportions and karyotype.-References:...

       (Microtus dogramacii)
    • Günther's Vole
      Günther's Vole
      Günther's Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found in Bulgaria, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, Syria, Turkey, and Libya. In Libya, its natural habitats are temperate grassland, subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland, and...

       (Microtus guentheri)
    • Tien Shan Vole
      Tien Shan Vole
      The Tien Shan Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found in Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.-References:* Baillie, J. 1996. . Downloaded on 19 July 2007....

       (Microtus ilaeus)
    • Persian Vole
      Persian Vole
      The Persian Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is only found in Iran.-References:*Musser, G. G. and M. D. Carleton. 2005. Superfamily Muroidea. Pp. 894-1531 in Mammal Species of the World a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder eds. Johns Hopkins...

       (Microtus irani)
    • Southern Vole
      Southern Vole
      The Southern Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found in Albania, Bulgaria, Finland, Greece, Iran, the Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Turkey, Ukraine and Norway....

       (Microtus levis)
    • Paradox Vole
      Paradox Vole
      The Paradox Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family found in southern Turkmenistan.-References:* D.E. Wilson & D.M. Reeder, 2005: Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Third Edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore....

       (Microtus paradoxus)
    • Qazvin Vole
      Qazvin Vole
      The Qazvin Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family. It is found in Iran and is normally given as either part of the Microtus or Sumeriomys subgenus. It is a close relative of M. guentheri distinguished by different pelage coloration and a more complex occlusal...

       (Microtus qazvinensis)
    • Schidlovsky's Vole
      Schidlovsky's Vole
      The Schidlovsky's Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family. It is normally found in north-western Armenia, and was long considered a subspecies of the Social Vole until relisted as a species by Golenishchev in 2002....

       (Microtus schidlovskii)
    • Social Vole
      Social Vole
      The Social Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found in China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Syria, Turkey, and Ukraine.-References:* Baillie, J. 1996. . Downloaded on 19 July 2007....

       (Microtus socialis)
    • European Pine Vole
      European Pine Vole
      The European Pine Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found in Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Moldova, Republic of, the Netherlands, Poland,...

       (Microtus subterraneus)
    • Transcaspian Vole
      Transcaspian Vole
      The Transcaspian Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found in Afghanistan, Iran, and Turkmenistan.-References:...

       (Microtus transcaspicus)
  • Subgenus Terricola
    Terricola (subgenus)
    Terricola is a subgenus of voles in the genus Microtus. The authority for this species is Fatio in 1867, but it is commonly given as Flemming in 1828...

    • Bavarian Pine Vole
      Bavarian pine vole
      The Bavarian pine vole is a vole from the Austrian, Italian, and Bavarian Alps of Europe. It lived in moist meadows at elevations of 600-1,000 metres...

       (Microtus bavaricus)
    • Calabria Pine Vole
      Calabria Pine Vole
      The Calabria Pine Vole is a vole found in southern and central Italy initially described by Lehmann as a subspecies of M. savii. Genetic tests in the Calabrian region found that, although similar, the X chromosome is larger than that of samples of M...

       (
      Microtus brachycercus)
    • Daghestan Pine Vole
      Daghestan Pine Vole
      The Daghestan Pine Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found in Russia, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.-References:* Baillie, J. 1996. . Downloaded on 19 July 2007....

        (
      Microtus daghestanicus)
    • Mediterranean Pine Vole
      Mediterranean Pine Vole
      The Mediterranean Pine Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found in France, Portugal, and Spain.-References:* Amori, G. 1996. . Downloaded on 19 July 2007....

       (
      Microtus duodecimcostatus)
    • Felten's Vole
      Felten's Vole
      Felten's Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found in Albania, Greece, Macedonia, and Serbia and Montenegro.-References:...

       (
      Microtus felteni)
    • Liechtenstein's Pine Vole
      Liechtenstein's Pine Vole
      Liechtenstein's Pine Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family. It is found in central and eastern europe, from northern Italy through to Austria, Slovenia and Croatia.-References:...

       (
      Microtus liechtensteini)
    • Lusitanian Pine Vole
      Lusitanian Pine Vole
      The Lusitanian Pine Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found in France, Portugal, and Spain.-References:...

       (
      Microtus lusitanicus)
    • Major's Pine Vole
      Major's Pine Vole
      The Major's Pine Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family found in Turkey....

       (
      Microtus majori)
    • Alpine Pine Vole
      Alpine Pine Vole
      The Alpine Pine Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found in Austria, France, Italy, Serbia and Montenegro, and Switzerland.-References:* Amori, G. 1996. . Downloaded on 19 July 2007....

       (
      Microtus multiplex)
    • Savi's Pine Vole
      Savi's Pine Vole
      Savi's Pine Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found in France and Italy.-References: Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of least concern....

       (
      Microtus savii)
    • Tatra Pine Vole
      Tatra Pine Vole
      The Tatra Pine Vole, Microtus tatricus, also called the Tatra vole or Tatra ground vole, is a species of vole endemic to the Carpathian mountain range in Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine and Romania. Two subspecies have been recognised. M. t. tatricus occupies the western part of the range in Slovakia and...

       (
      Microtus tatricus)
    • Thomas's Pine Vole
      Thomas's Pine Vole
      Thomas's Pine Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, and possibly Albania.-References:...

       (
      Microtus thomasi)
  • Subgenus Mynomes
    Mynomes
    Mynomes is a subgenus of voles in the genus Microtus. Species in this subgenus are:*Beach Vole *Gray-tailed Vole *Montane Vole *Creeping Vole...

    • Beach Vole
      Beach Vole
      The Beach Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family. It is found only in the United States, and its natural habitat is temperate grassland....

       (
      Microtus breweri)
    • Gray-tailed Vole
      Gray-tailed Vole
      The Gray-tailed vole is a common small mammal that inhabits grasslands in the Willamette Valley of western Oregon . Gray tailed voles are polygamous: females are territorial, males have large home ranges that overlap those of several females, and juvenile emigration is male biased...

       (
      Microtus canicaudus)
    • Montane Vole
      Montane Vole
      The Montane Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found in Canada and the United States.-References:* Hafner, D.J. 1996. . Downloaded on 19 July 2007....

       (
      Microtus montanus)
    • Creeping Vole
      Creeping Vole
      The Creeping Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found in Canada and the United States.-References:...

       (
      Microtus oregoni)
    • Meadow Vole
      Meadow Vole
      The Meadow Vole , sometimes called the Field Mouse or Meadow Mouse, is a small North American vole found across Canada, Alaska and the northern United States. Its range extends further south along the Atlantic coast. One subspecies, the Florida Salt Marsh Vole , is found in Florida, and is...

       (
      Microtus pennsylvanicus)
    • Townsend's Vole
      Townsend's Vole
      Townsend's Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found in Canada and the United States.Its natural habitat is temperate grassland.-References:...

       (
      Microtus townsendii)
  • Subgenus Alexandromys
    Alexandromys
    Alexandromys is a subgenus of voles in the genus Microtus. Species in this subgenus are:*Clarke's Vole *Evorsk Vole *Reed Vole *Gerbe's Vole...

    • Clarke's Vole
      Clarke's Vole
      Clarke's Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found only in China.-References:* Baillie, J. 1996. . Downloaded on 20 July 2007....

       (
      Microtus clarkei)
    • Evorsk Vole
      Evorsk Vole
      The Evorsk Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found only in Russia.v These animals live in grassy areasv They are stout rodents with short ears, legs and tails....

       (
      Microtus evoronensis)
    • Reed Vole
      Reed Vole
      The Reed Vole is a species of vole. It is found in northern and central Eurasia, including northern China and the Korean Peninsula. The species is somewhat larger and longer-tailed than most other voles. An adult Reed Vole has a body 12-18 centimeters long, and a tail of 4.7-5.7...

       (
      Microtus fortis)
    • Gerbe's Vole
      Gerbe's Vole
      Gerbe's Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found in France and Spain.-References:* Amori, G. 2000. . Downloaded on 19 July 2007....

       (
      Microtus gerbei)
    • Taiwan Vole
      Taiwan Vole
      The Taiwan Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found only in Taiwan.-References:*Musser, G. G. and M. D. Carleton. 2005. Superfamily Muroidea. Pp. 894-1531 in Mammal Species of the World a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder eds. Johns Hopkins...

       (
      Microtus kikuchii)
    • Lacustrine Vole
      Lacustrine Vole
      The Lacustrine Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found in China and Mongolia.-References:...

       (
      Microtus limnophilus)
    • Maximowicz's Vole
      Maximowicz's Vole
      Maximowicz's Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found in China, Mongolia, and Russia.-References:...

       (
      Microtus maximowiczii)
    • Middendorf's Vole
      Middendorf's Vole
      Middendorf's Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found only in Russia.-References:...

       (
      Microtus middendorffi)
    • Mongolian Vole
      Mongolian Vole
      The Mongolian Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found in China, Mongolia, and Russia.-References:* Baillie, J. 1996. . Downloaded on 19 July 2007....

       (
      Microtus mongolicus)
    • Japanese Grass Vole
      Japanese Grass Vole
      The Japanese Grass Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found only in Japan.-References:* Baillie, J. 1996. . Downloaded on 09 July 2007....

       (
      Microtus montebelli)
    • Muisk Vole
      Muisk Vole
      The Muisk Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found only in Russia.-References:* Baillie, J. 1996. . Downloaded on 19 July 2007....

       (
      Microtus mujanensis)
    • Tundra Vole
      Tundra Vole
      The Tundra Vole or Root Vole, Microtus oeconomus, is a medium-sized vole found in Northern and Central Europe, Asia, and northwestern North America, including Alaska and northwestern Canada....

       or Root Vole (
      Microtus oeconomus)
      • Microtus oeconomus arenicola
    • Sakhalin Vole
      Sakhalin Vole
      The Sakhalin Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found only in Russia.-References:...

       (
      Microtus sachalinensis)
  • Subgenus Stenocranius
    • Narrow-headed Vole
      Narrow-Headed Vole
      The Narrow-headed Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found in China, Mongolia, and Russia. It is the only species in the subgenus Stenocranius-References:...

       (
      Microtus gregalis)
  • Subgenus Pitymys
    Pitymys
    Pitymys is a subgenus of voles in the genus Microtus. Species in this subgenus are:*Guatemalan Vole *Tarabundí Vole *Woodland Vole *Jalapan Pine Vole...

    • Guatemalan Vole
      Guatemalan Vole
      The Guatemalan Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found in Guatemala and Mexico.-References:* Matson, J. & Woodman, N. 2008. . Downloaded on 27 February 2009....

       (
      Microtus guatemalensis)
    • Tarabundí Vole
      Tarabundí Vole
      The Tarabundí Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found only in Mexico.-References:* Baillie, J. 1996. . Downloaded on 19 July 2007....

       (
      Microtus oaxacensis)
    • Woodland Vole
      Woodland Vole
      The Woodland Vole, Microtus pinetorum, is a small vole found in eastern North America. It is also known as the Pine Vole.These animals have short, soft reddish-brown fur on the upperparts and greyish brown underparts. They have short ears and a short tail, somewhat darker on top...

       (
      Microtus pinetorum)
    • Jalapan Pine Vole
      Jalapan Pine Vole
      The Jalapan Pine Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family.It is found only in Mexico.-References:...

       (
      Microtus quasiater)
  • Subgenus Pedomys
    • Prairie Vole
      Prairie Vole
      The Prairie Vole is a small vole found in central North America. The vole has long, coarse grayish-brown fur on the upper portion of the body and yellowish fur on the lower portion of the body...

       (
      Microtus ochrogaster)
  • Subgenus Hyrcanicola
    • Schelkovnikov's Pine Vole
      Schelkovnikov's Pine Vole
      Schelkovnikov's Pine Vole is a species of rodent in the Cricetidae family. It is found in Azerbaijan and Iran. It has recently been considered the sole species in the subgenus Hyrcanicola.-References:...

      (
      Microtus schelkovnikovi)

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