155.

Alpine Pine Vole

Microtus multiplex

French: Campagnol de Fatio / German: Alpen-Kleinwihlmaus / Spanish: Topillo de los Alpes

Taxonomy. Arvicola multiplex Fatio, 1905, near Lugano, Ticino Canton, Switzerland.

Microtus multiplex is in subgenus Terricola and multiplex species group. It is closely related to M. liechtensteini and in the past synonymized with it. Microtus multiplex was until recently classified in the genus Putymys. Monotypic.

Distribution. W Alps and NW Apennines tin SE France, S Switzerland, and NW Italy.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 90-110 mm,tail 40-44 mm; weight 19-29 g. The Alpine Pine Vole is morphologically indistinguishable from Liechtenstein’s Pine Vole ( M. liechtensteini). Color is dark brown on back and gray on belly. Females have four inguinal nipples. Enamel tooth pattern does not deviate from that in Liechtenstein’s Pine Vole.

Habitat. Grasslands in lowlands up to elevations of 2800 m in the Alps and optimally below 1300 m in the Apennines. In general, meadows are preferred in lowlands, and humid forests are preferred in mountains; peat bogs and alpine meadows with dwarf willow ( Salix herbacea, Salicaceae) are also occupied. The Alpine Pine Vole can be common in places with deep and humid soil.

Food and Feeding. The Alpine Pine Vole eats leaves of butterburdock ( Petasites, Asteraceae) and aconite-leaf buttercup ( Ranunculus aconitifolius) and hellebores ( Helleborus viridis and H. foetidus), all Ranunculaceae . Caches contain bulbs and roots of crocus (Crocus, Iridaceae), gagea ( Gagea, Liliaceae), and grape hyacinth ( Muscari, Asparagaceae), and roots of various species of buttercup plants ( Ranunculaceae).

Breeding. The Alpine Pine Vole can breed year-round but with frequent interruptions in winter and summer. Females give birth to 1-4 young. Mean litter size in captivity is 2:3 young, and mean number of embryosis 2-9/female.

Activity patterns. Diurnal activity is polyphasic, with 8-16 peaks. The Alpine Pine Vole is fossorial and excavates extensive systems of tunnels, but it also occupies abandoned mole galleries. Each system contains 1-7 nest chambers.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Burrows of different family groups of Alpine Pine Voles can be connected via underground tunnels. In Switzerland, home ranges average 342 m? for males and 229 m* for females. Female home ranges shrink during reproduction. Mating system is monogamous. Both sexes are territorial. They normally share tunnels but rarely occupy the same nest.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Amori, Contoli & Nappi (2008), Hartl et al. (2000), Krapp (1982b), Salvioni (1988, 1995b), Storch & Winking (1977).