Arvicolinae

Bank vole ( Myodes glareolus )

The voles ( Arvicolinae ) are a subfamily of the burrowers ( Cricetidae ) with over 150 species dar. The best-known species include the field-mouse, the bank vole, muskrat, the voles and lemmings.

Features

Depending on the species, the diurnal and nocturnal voles are 7-23 inches long and weigh about 80-200 g, but also to 2600 g as the muskrat. The head is blunt, the ears are usually hidden due to the burrowing lifestyle small and sometimes almost completely in fur. The different color of the fur ranges from brown gray to reddish brown and sometimes to black. The medium length to short tail is sparsely haired, so its curl is good to see. At the front feet, the voles have depending on the type 4 or 5 toes on the hind feet always 5

Occurrence

Voles are widespread in Europe, Asia and North America. Preferred habitat is light to medium soils in which they can invest their gear system without difficulty, with loess soils are particularly preferred. While many Wühlmausgattungen to create transition systems in the ground, some live in meadows or even on trees (fir mice). In their subversive activities, they raise elongated flat mound of earth which are often covered with grass or roots. Its hills are therefore often confused with those of Maulwurfes. However, its heaps of earth are rounded and bigger and raised by him at regular intervals, which is not the case with the voles.

Harmful effect

Voles can cause serious damage to root vegetables, shrubs, potatoes, fruit trees and other crops. To harmful effect of voles in agriculture: The case of a special type see Vole.

Combat

The control of voles by means of fumigants, poison baits or mouse traps. Eg stoat and weasel - - ​​In addition, the promotion of natural enemies of the vole proves to be helpful.

System

Alternatively, the surname Arvicolinae you can often find the name Micro Tinae that as much recently but name is invalid. The voles are often elevated to the rank of a private family. Especially in older classifications you will find various Nagetiertaxa, which today are usually considered independently, as the tribe of voles, for example, the New world, hamsters, Blindmulle, gerbils, rats and mane Madagascar rats. Recent DNA studies have confirmed the monophyly of the voles; According to the results are probably the hamster sister group of voles.

The following system is governed by McKenna & Bell, showing tribes and genera:

  • Tribus Arvicolini Voles ( Arvicola )
  • Tyrrhenian voles ( Tyrrhenicola )
  • Field mice ( Microtus )
  • Pitymys
  • Lasiopodomys
  • Snow mice ( Chionomys )
  • Salbeiwühlmäuse ( Lemmiscus )
  • Afghan voles ( Blanfordimys )
  • Bedford voles ( Proedromys )
  • Volemys
  • Steppe lemmings ( Lagurus )
  • Eolagurus
  • Muskrats ( Ondatra )
  • Heather Voles ( Phenacomys )
  • Baumwühlmäuse ( Arborimus )
  • Martino- snow mice ( Dinaromys )
  • Kashmir voles ( Hyperacrius )
  • Gebirgswühlmäuse ( Alticola )
  • Pere David's Voles ( Eothenomys )
  • Rötelmäuse ( Myodes )
  • Japanese Rötelmäuse ( Phaulomys )
  • Prometheus mice ( Prometheomys )
  • Bog lemmings lemmings or mice ( Synaptomys )
  • True Lemmings ( Lemmus )
  • Wood lemmings ( Myopus )
  • Florida Water Rats ( Neofiber )
  • Collar lemmings ( Dicrostonyx )
John Edward Gray Common vole Mousetrap Nesomyinae Round-tailed muskrat Malcolm McKenna
81995
de