67.

Yunnan Red-backed Vole

Eothenomys miletus

French: Campagnol du Yunnan / German: Yunnan-Rotelmaus / Spanish: Topillo rojo de Yunnan

Other common names: Large Oriental Vole, Yunnan Chinese Vole, Yunnan Red-backed Vole

Taxonomy. Microtus (Eothenomys) melanogaster miletus Thomas, 1914, “ 10 miles [= 16 km] W. ofYang-pi, W. Yunnan, [China]. 7000’ [= 2134 m].”

Eothenomys miletus is in the subgenus Fothenomys. Synonyms include E. cachinus and E. mucronatus . Delimitation against E. melanogaster is uncertain, and synonyms are classified into one species or another, depending on the authority. It lives more to the south and west than E. melanogaster . As is the case with E. melanogaster, E. miletus is in need of taxonomic revision; number of subspecies is uncertain. Molecular phylogenetic trees retrieved deep branching pattern but not much association between lineages and geography. Monotypic.

Distribution. NE India, S China (SE Tibet [= Xizang], C & S Sichuan, Yunnan, Chongqing, and Guizhou), N & WC Myanmar, NW Thailand, and N Vietnam.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 80-140 mm, tail 31-61 mm; weight 22-60 g. Dimensions of the Yunnan Red-backed Vole vary geographically; largest individuals occur in north-eastern Yunnan. It is similar in external appearance to Pere David’s Redbacked Vole (FE. melanogaster), but on average it is larger and tail is longer, accounting for 33-56% of head-body length. Molar pattern is very similar to that of Pere David’s Red-backed Vole, except M* is more complex, with three reentrant angles on innersides.

Habitat. Mountain forests, thickets, meadows, and farmland at elevations of 1300-4250 m. Records of Yunnan Red-backed Voles below 1000 m are unusual.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. Body temperature (35-7°C) of the Yunnan Red-backed Vole is lower than in many other rodents, and basal metabolic rate is higher than predicted from body mass.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concerned on The IUCN Red List. Overall distribution of the Yunnan Red-backed Vole is ¢.663,000 km. It can be locally abundant.

Bibliography. Allen, G.M. (1912), Kaneko (2002), Liu Shaoying, LiuYang et al. (2012), Luo Jing et al. (2004), Luo Zexun et al. (2000), Shenbrot & Krasnov (2005), Thomas (1921a), Zhu Wanlong et al. (2008).