Microtus

Article summary

Microtus is a genus of voles found in North America, Europe and northern Asia. The genus name refers to the small ears of these animals. They are stout rodents with short ears, legs and tails. They eat green vegetation such as grasses and sedges in summer, and grains, seeds, root and bark at other times. The genus is also called "meadow voles". There is some disagreement on the definitive list of species in this genus, and which subgenera are recognized. The American Society of Mammalogists recognizes the following 60 species, with discrepancies as noted: Subgenus Blanfordimys * Afghan vole (Microtus afghanus) * Bucharian vole (Microtus bucharensis) * Juniper vole (Microtus yuldaschi) Subgenus Euarvicola * Short-tailed field vole (Microtus agrestis) * Mediterranean field vole (Microtus lavernedii) * Portuguese field vole (Microtus rozianus) Subgenus Hyrcanicola (not recognized by the ASM, listed in subgenus Microtus) * Schelkovnikov's pine vole (M.…

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