Microtus abbreviatus
| Singing Vole
(Microtus abbreviatus) | |
|---|---|
| Range | |
 | |
| Taxonomic classification | |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Suborder: | Supramyomorpha |
| Infraorder: | Myomorphi |
| Superfamily: | Muroidea |
| Family: | Cricetidae |
| Subfamily: | Arvicolinae |
| Tribe: | Microtini |
| Genus: | Microtus |
| Subgenus: | Pitymys |
| Binomial details | |
| Microtus abbreviatus G. S. Miller, 1899 | |
| Other resources | |
| Full taxonomic details at MDD | |
Weskler et al. (2010) published results from their examination of the mitochondrial (cytochrome b) genetic structure of Microtus abbreviatus and Microtus miurus and stated "our results do not support the current taxonomy of singing voles, which recognizes two species (M. abbreviatus and M. miurus; Musser & Carleton, 2005)." They recommended the synonymization of the two species with Microtus abbreviatus Miller, 1899 having priority over Microtus miurus Osgood, 1901. Thus, the appropriate name for the common singing vole from both mainland Alaska and the St Matthew Archipelago is Microtus abbreviatus, with Microtus miurus representing a junior synonym (Weskler et al. 2010).
Description
From Cole & Wilson (2010), prior to Weksler et al. (2010)'s inclusion of M. miurus in M. abbreviatus: "Microtus miurus is an average sized vole with small ears that are nearly concealed by hair, relatively long and narrow claws, and a short tail (Banfield 1974; Kays and Wilson 2002; Lidicker and Batzli 1999). The pelage is dense, long, and soft. Pelage color is variable throughout the distribution, from pale buffy gray to pale ochraceous to pale tawny (Hall 1981). Some specimens are orange brown on the back and upper sides, whereas others are grayish brown (Banfield 1974; Kays and Wilson 2002; Osgood 1901). The intensity of brown pelage coloration increases moving east to west across the distribution range (Bee and Hall 1956). The characteristic markings for M. miurus include ochraceous buffy patch at base of the ears, along flanks, and on rump. There is frequently a buffy patch at the base of the fine, long vibrissae. The under parts are buff or ochraceous with gray underfur. Short and heavily furred, the tail is dusky above, clear buff or tawny beneath and on the sides, and tipped with stiff, buffy or tawny hairs. Stiff and buff to black-tipped guard hairs (15-16 mm) are sparse on the dorsal surface, barely darkening the color. Tail length is roughly equal to the length of the hind foot. The feet are heavily furred with creamy or pale buff hair extending beyond the tip of the claw. The color of the preadult pelage is similar to that of the adult. The winter pelage coloration is typically paler and grayer (Bee and Hall 1956; Rausch 1964) than the summer pelage. The winter fur is also longer than the summer fur (Banfield 1974)."
External measurements
Length measurements are in millimeters (mm) and weight measurements are in grams (g), unless stated otherwise. If available, the sample size (n=) is provided. If a range is not provided and n= is not given, then the listed measurement represents an average.
| Part of range | Reference | Total length | Tail length | Hindfoot length | Ear length | Mass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska (near mouth of the Anaktuvuk River on the North Slope) | Cole & Wilson (2010) | 135–157 (n=20) | 23–33 (n=20) | 19–21 (n=20) | ||
| Alaska (Toklat River in central Alaska) | Cole & Wilson (2010) | 140–161 (n=20) | 16–34 (n=20) | 20–23 (n=20) | ||
| rangewide | Cole & Wilson (2010) | 95–161 | 15–41 | 14–22 | 10–14 | 11–60 |
Skull
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Lateral view of the skull of Microtus abbreviatus. In lateral view the top of the skull appears depressed (Naughton, 2012). -
Dorsal view of the skull of Microtus abbreviatus. Notice that the nasals do not hide the incisors when viewed from above (Naughton, 2012). -
Ventral view of the skull of Microtus abbreviatus. -
The upper incisors of Microtus abbreviatus lack grooves. -
Upper molars of Microtus abbreviatus. -
Lower molars of Microtus abbreviatus. Arrows point to the 6 closed triangles between 2 terminal loops on each of the first lower molars (m1s; Naughton, 2012). -
Upper right molars of Microtus abbreviatus. Courtesy of the University of Alaska Museum of the North. -
Lower right molars of Microtus abbreviatus. Courtesy of the University of Alaska Museum of the North.
Similar species
Comparison with Alexandromys oeconomus
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Microtus abbreviatus -
Root Vole (Alexandromys oeconomus) -
Dorsal view of the skull of Microtus abbreviatus. -
Dorsal view of the skull of the Root Vole (Alexandromys oeconomus).
Comparison with Clethrionomys rutilus
The Northern Red-backed Vole (Clethrionomys rutilus) can be distinguished from Microtus abbreviatus by its reddish to rusty colored back.
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Microtus abbreviatus -
Northern Red-backed Vole (Clethrionomys rutilus)
Comparison with Microtus drummondii
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Microtus abbreviatus -
Western Meadow Vole (Microtus drummondii)
Comparison with Microtus longicaudus
The relatively long tail in relation to head and body length and hindfoot length separates the Long-tailed Vole (Microtus longicaudus) from M. abbreviatus.
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Microtus abbreviatus -
Long-tailed Vole (Microtus longicaudus)
Comparison with Microtus xanthognathus
From Conroy & Cook (1999): "Microtus xanthognathus is one of the largest species in the genus Microtus, and adults have a conspicuous rusty-yellowish color about the whisker area."
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Microtus abbreviatus -
Taiga Vole (Microtus xanthognathus), subadult
References
Banfield AWF. 1974. The mammals of Canada. Toronto (ON, CA): University of Toronto Press.
Bee JW, Hall ER. 1956. Mammals of northern Alaska on the Arctic Slope. Miscellaneous Publications of the Museum of Natural History, University of Kansas 8:1-309.
Cole FR, Wilson DE. 2010. Microtus miurus (Rodentia: Cricetidae). Mammalian Species 42(855):75-89.
Conroy CJ, Cook JA. 1999. Microtus xanthognathus. Mammalian Species (627): 1-5.
Hall ER. 1981. The mammals of North America. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York.
Kays RW, Wilson DE. 2002. Mammals of North America. Princeton (NJ, USA): Princeton University Press.
Lidicker Jr. WZ, Batzli GO. 1999. Singing vole-Microtus miurus. Pp. 632-633 in North American mammals (D. E. Wilson and S. Ruff, eds.). Washington D.C. (USA): Smithsonian Institution Press.
Miller Jr. GS. 1899-01-31. A new vole from Hall Island, Bering Sea. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 13:13-14.
Musser GG, Carleton MD. 2005 Superfamily Muroidea. Mammal species of the world, 3rd edition (ed. by DE Wilson and DM Reeder), pp. 894–1531. Baltimore (MD, USA): Johns Hopkins University Press.
Osgood WH. 1901. Natural history of the Cook Inlet region, Alaska. North American Fauna 21:51-81.
Rausch RL. 1964. The specific status of the narrow-skulled vole (subgenus Stenocanius Kashchenko) in North America. Zeitschrift fur Saugetierkunde 29:343-358.
Weksler M, Lanier HC, Olson LE. 2010. Eastern Beringian biogeography: historical and spatial genetic structure of singing voles in Alaska. Journal of Biogeography 37(8):1414-1431.