Microtus schelkovnikovi

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 schelkovnikovi

Species Authority

(Satunin, 1907)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Schelkovnikov's Pine Vole, Schelkovnikov’s Pine Vole

Synonym/s:

Microtus dorothea

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Near Threatened ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s

Shenbrot, G. & Kryštufek, B.

Evaluator/s:

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

Justification:
Based on present evidence, the species may qualify for Vulnerable under criterion B1, however, it is necessary to check deforestation rates and effect on the species, and to determine whether the range is severely fragmented and/or whether the species is restricted to ten or fewer locations. The species has an extent of occurrence of less than 20,000 km² and habitat loss is occurring within its range. Currently assessed as Near Threatened, but should be reassessed if more information becomes available.

History:

1996

–

Lower Risk/least concern (Baillie and Groombridge 1996)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species is found only in forest zone of mountains bordering the southern shore of the Caspian Sea, in southern Azerbaijan (Talysh Mountains) and northwestern Iran (Elburz Mountains). The species could potentially be found somewhat further east in the forests south of the Caspian Sea.
Countries:	Native: Azerbaijan; Iran, Islamic Republic of
Range Map:	(click map to view full version)

Population [top]

Population:	Population size is slightly declining due to forest clearance, overgrazing.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	The species is found in humid subtropical forest of piedmont and lower mountain zone (600 - 1000 m), and prefers forest clearings in early successional stage. The species has not been recorded outside of forest, and is likely to be dependent on forest. In Talysh found only in beech and hornbeam forests, with Parrotia persica and Quercus castanefolia. Inhabit steep slopes and deep ravines coverd with shrubs, ferns and mosses. Leads semi-subterranean life. In contrast to many other vole species doesn't make passes between exits of the burrows. Feeds on underground plant parts. Most probably lives in family groups. Family area is small, limited to a single burrow with several exits (2 to 6). Reproduction starts in the end of March, litter size is 1-4 young.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

The species is found in humid subtropical forest of piedmont and lower mountain zone (600 - 1000 m), and prefers forest clearings in early successional stage. The species has not been recorded outside of forest, and is likely to be dependent on forest. In Talysh found only in beech and hornbeam forests, with Parrotia persica and Quercus castanefolia. Inhabit steep slopes and deep ravines coverd with shrubs, ferns and mosses. Leads semi-subterranean life. In contrast to many other vole species doesn't make passes between exits of the burrows. Feeds on underground plant parts. Most probably lives in family groups. Family area is small, limited to a single burrow with several exits (2 to 6). Reproduction starts in the end of March, litter size is 1-4 young.

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	There is deforestation in this area.

Major Threat(s):

There is deforestation in this area.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	The species has been found in one reserve in Azerbaijan (Zuvandinskiy Nature Sanctuary), and has several other protected areas in its range.

Conservation Actions:

The species has been found in one reserve in Azerbaijan (Zuvandinskiy Nature Sanctuary), and has several other protected areas in its range.

Citation:	Shenbrot, G. & Kryštufek, B. 2008. Microtus schelkovnikovi. In: IUCN 2008. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 19 November 2008.
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