Microtus multiplex

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 multiplex

Species Authority

(Fatio, 1905)

Common Name/s:

English	–	Alpine Pine Vole
French	–	Campagnol De Fatio
Spanish	–	Topillo De Fatio

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Least Concern ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s

Aulagnier, S., Amori, G., Hutterer, R., Kryštufek, B., Yigit, N., Mitsain, G. & Muñoz, L.J.P.

Evaluator/s:

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

Justification:
This species is relatively widespread, with a presumed large global population, no major threats, and no known declines. It is listed as Least Concern.

History:

1996

–

Lower Risk/least concern (Baillie and Groombridge 1996)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Microtus multiplex is endemic to Europe, where it occurs in the southern part of the Alps, from southeast France through Switzerland to northern Italy (Shenbrot and Krasnov 2005). It has been recorded from sea level to 2,800 m (Hausser 1995, Kryštufek 1999). Populations further east (e.g. in Austria, eastern Italy, Slovenia, Bosnia, and Croatia) are now referred to as a separate species, Microtus liechtensteini (Spitzenberger 2002, Wilson and Reeder 2005).
Countries:	Native: France; Italy; Switzerland
Range Map:	(click map to view full version)

Population [top]

Population:	It is locally common in at least parts of its range, and there is no evidence of population decline. The local abundance can be high, up to 100 individuals per hectare in southern France (le Louarn and Quéré 2003).
Population Trend:	Stable

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It inhabits pastures, meadows, open woodland and woodland clearings, preferring open areas with dense herbaceous vegetation to mature forest. In the high mountains it is also found in dwarf pine Pinus mugo, and in the coastal lowlands it occurs in dry meadows, vineyards, and hedgerows (Hausser 1995). The species eats roots and bulbs, and can feed on grasses (le Louarn and Quéré 2003). The number of young averages 2.7 in Switzerland (Salvioni 1986).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

It inhabits pastures, meadows, open woodland and woodland clearings, preferring open areas with dense herbaceous vegetation to mature forest. In the high mountains it is also found in dwarf pine Pinus mugo, and in the coastal lowlands it occurs in dry meadows, vineyards, and hedgerows (Hausser 1995). The species eats roots and bulbs, and can feed on grasses (le Louarn and Quéré 2003). The number of young averages 2.7 in Switzerland (Salvioni 1986).

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	There are no major threats to this species. It is sometimes considered a pest, and is controlled through poisoning (Kryštufek 1999).

Major Threat(s):

There are no major threats to this species. It is sometimes considered a pest, and is controlled through poisoning (Kryštufek 1999).

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	This species occurs in protected areas within its range. No specific conservation measures are recommended.

Conservation Actions:

This species occurs in protected areas within its range. No specific conservation measures are recommended.

Citation:	Aulagnier, S., Amori, G., Hutterer, R., Kryštufek, B., Yigit, N., Mitsain, G. & Muñoz, L.J.P. 2008. Microtus multiplex. In: IUCN 2008. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 20 November 2008.
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