Microtus
- noun
- /ˈmaɪkroʊtəs/
- Specialized
:
Microtus
- He constructed a fence (permeable to voles) covering 0.5 ha and followed the population of field voles (Microtus agrestis) in this enclosure.
- Microtus vole
- Microtus agrestis
- Microtus voles in western
Examples
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The Microtus genus includes several species of voles commonly found in fields and meadows.
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Reduction of small mustelids increased the proportion of pregnant bank vole females (Figure 5), but there was no obvious effect of reduction on the proportion of pregnant Microtus vole females.
Academic text (1996) -
Removal of breeding raptors caused short-term changes in the main prey (Microtus) dynamics.
Academic text (1996) -
A bit of detective work revealed the unexpected culprits: meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus), small herbivorous rodents that are ubiquitous in North American old fields.
Academic text (2002) -
Lidicker (1973, 1988) found a similar stability in an island population of California vole (Microtus californicus) and suggested a multifactor explanation for stability that involves eight factors, including predation.
Academic text (1996) -
Research on Microtus showed that these small mammals play a critical role in maintaining ecosystem balance.
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Many farmers benefit from the presence of Microtus species as they help aerate the soil.
Compounds
- Specialized
A large mouse-like animal that lives in western North America, often called Richardson's vole
Surface Forms
Etymology
Microtus comes from Greek parts micro- ('small') and -otus ('ear'), so it literally means 'small-eared' and gives a simple image for this genus of small field and meadow voles with short ears.
