Microtus cabrerae

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	MAMMALIA	RODENTIA	CRICETIDAE

Scientific Name:

Microtus cabrerae

Species Authority

Thomas, 1906

Common Name/s:

English	–	Cabrera's Vole
French	–	Campagnol De Cabrera
Spanish	–	Topillo De Cabrera

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Near Threatened ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s

Fernandes, M., Pita, R. & Mira, A.

Evaluator/s:

Amori, G. (Small Nonvolant Mammal Red List Authority) & Temple, H. (Global Mammal Assessment Team)

Justification:
This species has an area of occupancy that is small and potentially in decline (Pita et al. 2007). If the area of occupancy is measured based on 2x2 km grid squares (as recommended in the Red List Guidelines), the area of occupancy is likely to exceed 2,000 km², but potentially not by much. Assessed as Near Threatened under criterion B2.

History:

1996

–

Lower Risk/near threatened (Baillie and Groombridge 1996)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Microtus cabrerae is endemic to the Iberian peninsula (Portugal and Spain), where it has a fragmented range (Palomo 1999, Shenbrot and Krasnov 2005). It occurs from 0 to 1,500 m, although it is most common below 1,200 m (Palomo and Gisbert 2002, R. Pita unpublished data). In Spain, populations in the south have recently disappeared (Muñoz, L.J.P. pers. comm.2007).
Countries:	Native: Portugal; Spain
Range Map:	(click map to view full version)

Population [top]

Population:	Many subpopulations are small, fragmented, and subject to major inter-annual fluctuations (Palomo and Gisbert 2002, Mira et al. 2005). Subfossil remains have been found outside the species' current distribution, suggesting a range contraction (Palomo 1999), and it is considered that the species occupies a relict distribution (Palomo and Gisbert 2002). Population densities are moderate by comparison with other arvicoline rodents, typically varying between 17 and 350 individuals per hectare (Palomo and Gisbert 2002). The species is often found in isolated patches inhabited by a few individuals, often an adult couple and its offspring.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Population:

Many subpopulations are small, fragmented, and subject to major inter-annual fluctuations (Palomo and Gisbert 2002, Mira et al. 2005). Subfossil remains have been found outside the species' current distribution, suggesting a range contraction (Palomo 1999), and it is considered that the species occupies a relict distribution (Palomo and Gisbert 2002). Population densities are moderate by comparison with other arvicoline rodents, typically varying between 17 and 350 individuals per hectare (Palomo and Gisbert 2002). The species is often found in isolated patches inhabited by a few individuals, often an adult couple and its offspring.

Population Trend:

Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It occurs in pastures, fields and open clearings in woodland, tending to prefer damper areas than the common vole. It is often found in proximity to water (Palomo 1999) and on road verges (Santos et al. 2006, Pita et al. 2006). Meadows and perennial grassland communities are the most favourable microhabitats for this species (Santos et al. 2005).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Agricultural intensification, including overgrazing, has presumably contributed to range contractions and fragmentation over the last few decades (Palomo 1999). There is increased pressure on streams and other wetland areas the species occurs in. There is suspicion that interspecific competition with Arvicola sapidus may be a problem (Pita et al. 2006).

Major Threat(s):

Agricultural intensification, including overgrazing, has presumably contributed to range contractions and fragmentation over the last few decades (Palomo 1999). There is increased pressure on streams and other wetland areas the species occurs in. There is suspicion that interspecific competition with Arvicola sapidus may be a problem (Pita et al. 2006).

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	The species occurs in protected areas in both Portugal and Spain. It is protected under the Bern Convention (Appendix II) and the EU Habitats and Species Directive (Annex II and Annex IV).

Conservation Actions:

The species occurs in protected areas in both Portugal and Spain. It is protected under the Bern Convention (Appendix II) and the EU Habitats and Species Directive (Annex II and Annex IV).

Citation:	Fernandes, M., Pita, R. & Mira, A. 2008. Microtus cabrerae. In: IUCN 2008. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 19 November 2008.
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