Breeding characteristics of the Lusitanian pine vole, Microtus lusitanicus

Ventura, Jacint; Jimenez, L. Caballero; Gisbert, Julio

doi:10.1163/157075610x12610595764011

Cited by 13 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…The distribution area of this species includes the south-eastern of France and most of the Iberian Peninsula. In northern populations reproduction takes place throughout the year, no resting period exists [46] as described also for the Lusitanian pine vole, Microtus lusitanicus [47], another Western European endemic sister species, which diverged from M. duodecimcostatus around 150 kyr ago [48]. In contrast, in the populations we studied here, which are at the meridional limit of their distribution area, Mediterranean pine voles may exhibit different breeding patterns at different geographically close locations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mediterranean Pine Vole, Microtus duodecimcostatus: A Paradigm of an Opportunistic Breeder

Lao-Pérez

Massoud

Real

et al. 2021

Animals

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Most mammalian species of the temperate zones of the Earth reproduce seasonally, existing a non-breeding period in which the gonads of both sexes undergo functional regression. It is widely accepted that photoperiod is the principal environmental cue controlling these seasonal changes, although several exceptions have been described in other mammalian species in which breeding depends on cues such as food or water availability. We studied the circannual reproductive cycle in males of the Mediterranean pine vole, Microtus duodecimcostatus, in the Southeastern Iberian Peninsula. Morphological, hormonal, functional, molecular and transcriptomic analyses were performed. As reported for populations of other species from the same geographic area, male voles captured in wastelands underwent seasonal testis regression in summer whereas, surprisingly, those living either in close poplar plantations or in our animal house reproduced throughout the year, showing that it is the microenvironment of a particular vole subpopulation what determines its reproductive status and that these animals are pure opportunistic, photoperiod-independent breeders. In addition, we show that several molecular pathways, including MAPK, are deregulated and that the testicular “immune privilege” is lost in the inactive testes, providing novel mechanisms linking seasonal testosterone reduction and testis regression.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mediterranean Pine Vole, Microtus duodecimcostatus: A Paradigm of an Opportunistic Breeder

Lao-Pérez

Massoud

Real

et al. 2021

Animals

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“…This may partly explain why the abundance of pine voles is usually higher in agricultural areas (Vinhas 1993;Mira and Mathias 1994;Miñarro et al 2012). In fact, the permanent watering of soil, through dripping, is a common agronomic practice that facilitates the expansion of vole populations (Bertolino et al 2015), and in some cases it has been suggested to be a key factor explaining rodent outbreaks (Jareno et al 2015) and continuous reproduction throughout the year (Ventura et al 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Energetics and thermal adaptation in semifossorial pine-voles Microtus lusitanicus and Microtus duodecimcostatus

2019

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Rodents colonizing subterranean environments have developed several morphological, physiological and behaviour traits that promote the success of individuals in such demanding conditions.Resting metabolic rate, thermoregulation capacity and daily energy expenditure were analysed in two fossorial pine-vole species Microtus lusitanicus and M.duodecimcostatus inhabiting distinct areas of the Iberian Peninsula. Individuals were captured in locations with different habitat and soil features, allowing the comparison of energetic parameters with ecological characteristics, that can help explain the use of the subterranean environment and dependence of the burrow system. Results showed that M. duodecimcostatus has lower mass independent resting metabolic rate when compared with M. lusitanicus, which may be a response to environmental features of their habitat, such as dryer soils and lower water availability. Thermal conductance increased with body mass and was dependent on the ambient temperature. No significant differences were observed in the DEE, but water economy data demonstrated the influence of the water available on the habitat on the energetics of voles. These may rely on behavioural adaptations and seasonal use of burrows to cope which thermal challenges of subterranean activity and soil constraints. We found strong evidence that M.lusitanicus is able to use torpor as response to low ambient temperatures which is a new observation among Arvicolines.

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“…Vole galleries remain open as a small hole in the ground [ 3 ] with superficial galleries used for feeding and escaping and deep ones used for storing food and nesting [ 1 ]. Microtus lusitanicus is a monogamous species: a couple of voles and their offspring (juvenile and sub-adult individuals) share the same gallery system [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Lusitanian pine voles are small sized rodents (body length: 77.5–105.0 mm; body mass; 14.0–19.0 g) with big head, blunt snout, small eyes and cylindrical body [ 1 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecological Analysis of the Helminth Community of Microtus lusitanicus (Gerbe, 1879) (Rodentia) in Asturias (NW Spain)

Adalid

Feliu

Somoano

et al. 2021

Animals

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The Lusitanian pine vole, Microtus lusitanicus, an endemic fossorial rodent of the Iberian Peninsula, has a burrowing behaviour and prefers to live underground. It feeds on bark and roots causing severe damage to trees. In Asturias (NW Spain), where M. lusitanicus is considered a pest in several orchards, a faunistic-ecological study was carried out to describe the helminth community of this species and the main factors that could influence its helminth component species. For this purpose, our own collection of 710 voles from several orchards of various locations in Asturias was used. Eight helminth species, four cestodes and four nematodes, were found. Statistical non-parametric tests were used to analyse the effects of extrinsic and intrinsic factors on the diversity of the helminth community and species prevalence and abundance. The results show the influence of climate variables, the year and season of capture, as well as host age, on the diversity of the helminth community and the infection parameters of some helminth species, underlining the importance of their life cycles. In addition to shedding light on the helminth community of this rodent in Asturias, the results obtained could be used to improve the biological methods applied to fight the M. lusitanicus pest.

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Breeding characteristics of the Lusitanian pine vole, Microtus lusitanicus

Cited by 13 publications

References 23 publications

Mediterranean Pine Vole, Microtus duodecimcostatus: A Paradigm of an Opportunistic Breeder

Mediterranean Pine Vole, Microtus duodecimcostatus: A Paradigm of an Opportunistic Breeder

Energetics and thermal adaptation in semifossorial pine-voles Microtus lusitanicus and Microtus duodecimcostatus

Ecological Analysis of the Helminth Community of Microtus lusitanicus (Gerbe, 1879) (Rodentia) in Asturias (NW Spain)

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