Table of Contents
Articles on this page are available in 1 other language: Spanish (2) (learn more)
Overview
Brief Summary
Description
Links:
Mammal Species of the World
Click here for The American Society of Mammalogists species account
- Original description: LeConte, J.L., 1830. Description of a new genus of the order rodentia, p. 133. Annals of Lyceum of Natural History of New York, 3:132-133.
© Smithsonian Institution
Trusted
Distribution
Range Description
© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Source:
IUCN
Trusted
Geographic Range
Microtus pinetorum ranges from central Texas to Wisconsin, and eastward to the Atlantic coast (excluding Florida).
Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )
© The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
Source:
Animal Diversity Web
Trusted
National Distribution
Canada
Origin: Native
Regularity: Regularly occurring
Currently: Present
Confidence: Confident
Type of Residency: Year-round
United States
Origin: Native
Regularity: Regularly occurring
Currently: Present
Confidence: Confident
Type of Residency: Year-round
© NatureServe
Source:
NatureServe
Trusted
Global Range: North-central New England to central Wisconsin and south to Gulf Coast states from Texas to northern Florida.
© NatureServe
Source:
NatureServe
Trusted
Physical Description
Morphology
Physical Description
Woodland voles have a combined head and body length of between 83 and 120 mm; the tail ranges from 15 to 40 mm in length. They weigh between 14 and 37 grams. There is almost no sexual dimorphism within the species. The dorsal region varies from light to dark brown in color. The ventral surface is whitish or silvery. Their bodies have become modified for their partially subterranean habitat by a reduction of the eyes, external ears, and tail. Their foreclaws are also somewhat enlarged for digging.
Range mass: 14 to 37 g.
Range length: 83 to 120 mm.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry
Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike
Average basal metabolic rate: 0.305 W.
© The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
Source:
Animal Diversity Web
Trusted
Size
Size in North America
© Smithsonian Institution
Trusted
Ecology
Habitat
Habitat and Ecology
Home range is estimated at about 0.1 hectares. These voles are not territorial, they appear to occur only in loose social groups. Diet includes roots, bulbs, seeds, fruits, and other vegetable matter. Active throughout the day, year-round. Sometimes regarded as a pest; can do serious damage to nurseries and orchards. May damage apple trees by removing bark from roots, especially in winter.
Systems
- Terrestrial
© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Source:
IUCN
Trusted
Habitat
Woodland voles live in deciduous forests in eastern North America. They are surface burrowers, moving through thick leafmold and loose soil.
Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: forest
© The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
Source:
Animal Diversity Web
Trusted
Comments: Lives in a wide variety of habitats, but in many areas prefers upland wooded areas with a thick layer of loose soil and humus. Spends most of time underground in shallow burrow systems. Young are born in nests built beneath logs, below surface litter, or underground. Considered pests in orchards (Smolen, in Wilson and Ruff 1999).
© NatureServe
Source:
NatureServe
Trusted
Migration
Non-Migrant: Yes. At least some populations of this species do not make significant seasonal migrations. Juvenile dispersal is not considered a migration.
Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make local extended movements (generally less than 200 km) at particular times of the year (e.g., to breeding or wintering grounds, to hibernation sites).
Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make annual migrations of over 200 km.
© NatureServe
Source:
NatureServe
Trusted
Trophic Strategy
Food Habits
Woodland voles are mostly herbivorous animals that feed on tubers, roots, seeds, leaves, and nuts. They may also eat berries and insects. In the fall, woodland voles cache tubers and shoots inside of a burrow to eat in times of winter shortage.
Animal Foods: insects
Plant Foods: leaves; roots and tubers; seeds, grains, and nuts; fruit
Foraging Behavior: stores or caches food
Primary Diet: herbivore (Granivore )
© The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
Source:
Animal Diversity Web
Trusted
Comments: Feeds on roots, bulbs, seeds, fruits, and other vegetable matter.
© NatureServe
Source:
NatureServe
Trusted
Associations
Ecosystem Roles
Woodland voles may disperse seeds and they are an important food source for numerous predators.
© The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
Source:
Animal Diversity Web
Trusted
Predation
Woodland voles have numerous predators, including hawks, owls, snakes, foxes, raccoons, weasels, skunks, and opossums.
Known Predators:
- hawks
- owls
- snakes
- weasels
- skunks
- opossums
- foxes
- raccoons
- hawks (Accipitridae)
- owls (Strigidae)
- snakes (Serpentes)
- weasels (Mustela)
- skunks (Mephitinae)
- opossums (Didelphis virginiana)
- foxes (Canidae)
- raccoons (Procyon lotor)
© The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
Source:
Animal Diversity Web
Trusted
General Ecology
Home range is estimated at about 0.1 ha. Average population density is up to 2.4 per ha (Miller and Getz 1969). Densities usually are highest in orchards during fall. Not territorial, appears to occur only in loose social groups. Rapid turnover of individuals in population.
© NatureServe
Source:
NatureServe
Trusted
Life History and Behavior
Behavior
Communication and Perception
When sensing danger or when surprised, woodland voles make a high pitched noise that may serve as a warning signal. They have small eyes, so they probably do not rely much on their vision, and instead rely on their senses of touch, smell, and hearing to locate one another and find food.
Communication Channels: acoustic ; chemical
Perception Channels: visual ; acoustic
© The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
Source:
Animal Diversity Web
Trusted
Cyclicity
Life Expectancy
Lifespan/Longevity
On average, woodland voles live less than three months. The longest known lifespan in the wild is just over a year.
Range lifespan
Status: wild: 12 (high) months.
Average lifespan
Status: wild: 3 months.
Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 2.8 years.
© The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
Source:
Animal Diversity Web
Trusted
Lifespan, longevity, and ageing
© Joao Pedro de Magalhaes
Source:
AnAge
Trusted
Reproduction
Reproduction
Woodland voles have a monogamous mating system.
Mating System: monogamous
Mating generally takes place from spring through fall with a peak in late spring to early summer. Some woodland voles may breed throughout the year if they live at low altitudes or experience mild winters. About 21 days after breeding takes place, a litter of between 3 and 7 young is born. The litter size can range from 1 to 13 newborns. Females are polyestrous and may have several litters in a year.
Breeding interval: Woodland voles may breed several times a year.
Breeding season: Mating generally takes place from spring through fall with a peak in late spring to early summer.
Range number of offspring: 1 to 13.
Average number of offspring: 3 to 7.
Average weaning age: 17 days.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); viviparous
Average birth mass: 2.32 g.
Average gestation period: 21 days.
Average number of offspring: 3.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Sex: female: 98 days.
Females make nests in underground burrows, shallow surface depressions, or under rocks and logs. Nests are globular in shape and lined with shredded vegetation. They are approximately 150 mm in diameter. Young are helpless at birth and are weaned in about 17 days.
Parental Investment: altricial ; pre-fertilization (Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female)
© The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
Source:
Animal Diversity Web
Trusted
Breeds mid-February to mid-November, probably year-round. Oklahoma: apparently all year, with peak October-May; 1-4 litters per year; litter size is 1-5 (average 2.6) (Caire et al. 1989)
© NatureServe
Source:
NatureServe
Trusted
Conservation
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List Assessment
Red List Category
Red List Criteria
Version
Year Assessed
Assessor/s
Reviewer/s
Justification
History
- 1996Lower Risk/least concern
© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Source:
IUCN
Trusted
Conservation Status
Some populations at the periphery of the range of this species are considered to be threatened or--as is the case in Michigan--of "special concern." However, woodland voles are common throughout most of their range and sometimes considered agricultural pests.
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
State of Michigan List: special concern
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
© The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
Source:
Animal Diversity Web
Trusted
National NatureServe Conservation Status
Canada
Rounded National Status Rank: N3 - Vulnerable
United States
Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure
© NatureServe
Source:
NatureServe
Trusted
NatureServe Conservation Status
Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure
© NatureServe
Source:
NatureServe
Trusted
Trends
Population
Population Trend
© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Source:
IUCN
Trusted
Threats
Threats
© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Source:
IUCN
Trusted
Management
Conservation Actions
© International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Source:
IUCN
Trusted
Management Requirements: The most effective means of reducing damage in orchards is to reduce vole population with rodenticides (toxic baits) (Tobin and Richmond 1993). These, however, may be hazardous to nontarget species (see Swihart 1990), and proper selection, timing, and application are essential for obtaining the best results (Tobin and Richmond 1993). Regarding vole management in fruit orchards, Tobin and Richmond (1993) recommended frequent close mowing of ground vegetation during the growing season and establishment of a vegetation-free zone under the canopy to reduce vole carrying capacity.
© NatureServe
Source:
NatureServe
Trusted
Relevance to Humans and Ecosystems
Benefits
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
During a severe winter M. pinetorum may cause damage to trees. In orchards these animals may strip the bark from the roots and lower trunks of fruit trees.
Negative Impacts: crop pest
© The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
Source:
Animal Diversity Web
Trusted
Economic Uses
Comments: Sometimes regarded as a pest; can do serious damage to nurseries and orchards. May damage apple trees by removing bark from roots, especially in winter.
© NatureServe
Source:
NatureServe
Trusted
Wikipedia
Woodland Vole
The Woodland Vole, Microtus pinetorum, is a small vole found in eastern North America. It is also known as the Pine Vole.
Contents |
Description
The woodland vole have a head and body length of ranging between 83–120 mm with a tail length ranging for 15–40 mm. The weight of the vole ranges between 14-37 grams. It has a brown (light or dark) dorsal region with a whitish or silvery underside. The eyes, external ears and tail have been reduced to adapt to their partially subterranean lifestyle.
Ecology
The woodland vole lives throughout the eastern United States, ranging as far as Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.[2] They inhabit deciduous forests, dry fields, and apple orchards. Voles prefer wooded areas with high vertical vegetative stratification but also evergreen shrubs, ground cover, and old fallen logs.[3] Deciduous forests with moist, friable soils are suitable for burrowing and voles are most abundant in these habitats. However, they can also be found in other habitats from dry fields to the edges of coastal bays.[4] In addition, apple orchards are a favorite habitat. The root systems of trees are an important food source for vole and thus tree spacing affects the density of vole populations.[4]
Voles prefer to live in soils ranging from loam/peat moss mixtures, to gravel or stone soils, but not very dry soils.[4] Alfisol and Ultisol soil types are particularly favored due to being favorable to the vole’s burrowing system.[2] Voles feed on both the roots and stem system and the vegetation of plants, as when as fruits, seeds, bark, subterranean fungus and insects.[4] Because they feed on roots and tubers, voles do not need to drink water much.[3] Voles cache food, primarily during the winter.[5] Voles spent most of their time underground in their burrow systems and seldom venture into the surface. This makes them safe from hawks and owls.[4] Other predators of voles include snakes. They are also susceptible to eco-parasites like lice, fleas, mites, and chiggers.[4]
Social behavior and reproduction
Woodland voles live in family groups in burrow systems in home ranges around 40-45 sm.[4] The burrows are exclusive to the family groups, however a groups usually does not need to defend its burrows as other voles usually will not invade them.[6] The size and location of the home range and dispersal of groups are limited by neighboring family groups.[6] Family groups of the vole are made of a breeding female, a breeding male their 1-4 offspring and sometimes a few other member that serves as helpers.[4][6][7] Helpers are immigrants from other groups. Group emigration is uncommon and dependant on whether there available positions in other groups.[6] Staying in a group as a non-breeding individual is beneficial as burrow systems are major investments and a limited resource.[6]
In the north, the breeding season last from March to sometime between November and January. In the south, the breeding season continues throughout the year.[4] In order to enter estrus, a female must sense chemosignals in a male and have physical contact.[8] Because females are dispersed with little overlap of different colonies, polygamy is rare among voles. In addition, breeding female in a family group will stress the reproduction of female helpers.[9] Females are fiercely loyal to their partners and are highly aggressive towards unfamiliar males.[7] A young female vole usually first conceives around 105 days but can conceive as early as 77 days. A female will develop a vaginal plug after copulation which last for three days.[4] Gestation lasts 20–24 days with 1-4 litters produced per year, each with 1-5 young.[4] When a vole’s partner dies, it is replaced by an unrelated individual. This results in a conflict between the surviving parent and its offspring of the same sexes for mating opportunities.[9] A new male in a group gives a non-breeding female a chance to breed although the resident breeding female is still an obstacle.[9]
Interactions with humans
Woodland voles create high economic loss through the damage they cause to apple orchards.[7] Vole feeding costs apple growers annual losses of nearly $50 million.[6] As such farmer see them as pests. Urban environments have little impact on vole habitat selection.[3]
References
- ^ Linzey, A.V. & Hammerson, G. (2008). "Microtus pinetorum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/42633. Retrieved 04 February 2010.
- ^ a b Haner, T. W., Ferrar, R. W., and Schnell, G. D. (1999). "Range extensions of the woodland vole (Microtus pinetorum) and two other species in Northwestern Oklahoma". The Southwestern Naturalist, 44, 407-409.
- ^ a b c McPeek, M. A., Cook, B. L., and McComb, W. C. (1983). "Habitat selection by small mammals in an Urban Woodlot". Trans. Kentucky Academy of Science, 44, 68-73.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Whitaker, J. O., and Hamilton, W. J. (1998). Mammals of the Eastern United States, 3rd ed. Comstock Publishing Associates: Ithica, NY.
- ^ Geyer, L. A., Kornet, C. A., and Rogers, J. G. (1984). "Factors affecting caching in the pine vole, Microtus pinetorum". Mammalia, 48, 165-172.
- ^ a b c d e f Lapasha, D. G., and Powell, R. A. (1994). "Pine vole (Microtus pinetorum) movement toward areas in apple orchards with reduced populations". Journal of Horticultural Science, 69, 1077-1082.
- ^ a b c Geyer, L. A., Beauchamp, G. K., Seygal, G., and Rogers, J. G. (1981). "Social behavior of pine voles, Microtus pinetorum: Effects of gender, familiarity, and isolation". Behavioral and Neural Biology, 31, 331-341.
- ^ Solomon, N. G., Vandenbergh, J. G., Wekesa, K. S., and Barghusen, L. (1996). "Chemical cues are necessary but insufficient for reproductive activation of female pine voles (Microtus pinetorum)". Biology of Reproduction, 54, 1038-1045.
- ^ a b c Brant, C. L., Schwab, T. M., Vandenbergh, J. G., Schaefer, R. L., and Solomon, N. G. (1998). "Behavioral suppression of female pine voles after replacement of the breeding male". Animal Behavior, 55, 615-627.
- 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 University Press, Baltimore.
Source:
Wikipedia
Unreviewed
Names and Taxonomy
Taxonomy
Comments: Has been included in genus Pitymys by some authors; however, genic data do not support generic separation of this species from other North American Microtus (Moore and Janacek (1990) and recent taxonomic lists include this species in Microtus (Hall 1981; Jones et al. 1992; Baker et al. (2003), Musser and Carleton, in Wilson and Reeder 1993, 2005).
Van der Meulen (1978) regarded subspecies nemoralis and parvulus as species distinct from pinetorum, as have some other authors, whereas Whitaker and Hamilton (1998) regarded all as inseparable. Musser and Carleton (in Wilson and Reeder 1993, 2005) indicated that further study is warranted.
© NatureServe
Source:
NatureServe
Trusted
Disclaimer
EOL content is automatically assembled from many different content providers. As a result, from time to time you may find pages on EOL that are confusing.
To request an improvement, please leave a comment on the page. Thank you!
