178.

Kerman Vole

Microtus kermanensis

French: Campagnol de Kerman / German: Kerman-Wihimaus / Spanish: Topillo de Kerman

Other common names: Balochistan Vole

Taxonomy. Microtus kermanensis Roguin, 1988, 30 km south of Kerman, Iran.

Microtus kermanensis is in subgenus Microtus and mystacinus species group. It was recently synonymized with M. transcaspicus, but its karyotype (2n = 54) suggests closer affinity with M. mystacinus . Deserts separate distribution of kermanensis from other closely related voles in northern Iran. Monotypic.

Distribution. SC Iran, restricted to area around type locality.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 114-152 mm, tail 43-51 mm; weight 41-57 g. The Kerman Vole is large, with moderately long tail. Hindfoot is long (21-9 mm), with six plantar pads. Females have two pairs each of pectoral and inguinal nipples (eight nipples in total). Skull is essentially as in the East European Vole ( M. mystacinus). Nasals are expanded anteriorly, interorbital crest is low, interparietal bone is large, and dorsal profile is gently bent. Incisors are orthodont. Molars are as in the East European Vole, except for shorter posterior cup of M” and anterior cup of M.

Habitat. Proximity to water bodies at elevations of ¢.2700 m.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. The Kerman Vole digs burrows into banks at water level and probably lives in a similar way to the aquatic morphotype of the Eurasian Water Vole ( Arvicola amphibius)

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List because, although its approximate distribution is known (only ¢.4000 km?), there is a lack of information about habitat preferences, ecology, and the threats faced by the species.

Bibliography. Golenishchev et al. (2000), de Roguin (1988), Shenbrot & Krasnov (2005).