Major vole
| Major vole | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Microtus majori | ||||||||||||
| Thomas , 1906 |
The major vole ( Microtus majori ) is a rodent in the burrower family that is found in the Caucasus region.
features
The species resembles, apart from the coat color, in the external appearance of the short-eared mouse ( Microtus subterraneus ). Compared to this, the major vole has a longer tail (35 to 45%) in relation to its head-torso length . The top is covered with brownish fur, while gray to clay-colored fur occurs on the underside. The major vole has whitish fur on the top of its hands and feet and on the underside of its tail near its body. The top of the tail is black-brown. With a head-torso length of 90 to 112 mm, a tail length of 32 to 49 mm and a weight of 20 to 29 g, the species is larger than the short-eared mouse, but like them a smaller representative of the field mice. The hind feet are 15.5 to 17.6 mm long and the length of the ears is 9 to 12 mm.
There is yellow or orange enamel on the upper incisors , while the lower incisors are always yellow. The species lacks canine and fore-mal teeth and there are three molar teeth in each half of the jaw .
distribution
The species lives in the Caucasus and adjacent foothills in Russia , Georgia , Azerbaijan , Armenia , Iran and Turkey . It stays in regions that are between 500 and 2100 meters above sea level. The major vole is mostly found in freshly cut forest aisles. In general, it can be found in mixed forests, scrublands, forest clearings and moors . It can adapt well to extensive changes in the landscape.
Way of life
The major vole mainly eats green parts of the plant during the warmer seasons and collects grains as winter supplies. In areas with newly planted oaks , it is feared as a root pest. The species shares its territory with wood mice ( Apodemus ) and with Robert's snow mouse ( Chionomys roberti ) as well as with red- toothed shrews .
Reproduction begins in the foothills in April and at higher altitudes in May. By autumn, females from the previous year can have five litters with two to four young animals. Females from the first litter in spring can successfully mate once or twice in the same year.
status
There are no significant threats to the major vole. It is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN .
Individual evidence
- ↑ Don E. Wilson , DeeAnn M. Reeder (Ed.): Mammal Species of the World . A taxonomic and geographic Reference . 3. Edition. 2 volumes. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 (English, Microtus majori ).
- ↑ a b c d Kryštufek & Vohralík: Mammals of Turkey and Cyprus ( en , pdf) Univerza Koper. Pp. 162-167. 2005. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
- ↑ a b Microtus majori in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2016 Posted by: Krystufek, B., Shenbrot, G. & Sozen, M., 2016. Accessed July 16, 2017th