Barriers to dispersal from Michigan into Ontario include large highways, significant waterways and large urban areas (Figure 2). (Kurta, 1995). 373-419. in R.H. Tamarin (ed.). Biology of New World Microtus. comm. David Copp (author), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Habitat loss is likely to be proportionally less in Québec than Ontario, however, given the relatively lower rate of population increase in areas where Woodland Voles occur (see Threats and Limiting Factors section). Given the limited survey effort in Québec and Ontario since Ross (1998), the status of populations (e.g., increase, decline or stability) in Canada is unknown. Is there a continuing decline in index of area of occupancy? places a food item in a special place to be eaten later. Woodland Voles and Short-tailed Shrews (Blarina brevicauda) are frequently caught in the same trap, suggesting they often use one another’s tunnels (D.A. The conclusion that connectivity of Woodland Vole populations is more likely to be maintained between the US and Québec is confirmed by the gap analysis completed for the US distribution of Woodland Voles (UA-CAST and USGS 2010). Influence of photoperiod and nutrition on pine vole reproduction. During a general small mammal survey conducted during 2006 in the Philipsburg Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Québec, one Woodland Vole was captured (S. Giguère, pers. Longueuil, Québec. living in the Nearctic biogeographic province, the northern part of the New World. You will not receive a reply. It eats fruit, nuts and small insects, but is particularly keen on hazelnuts and blackberries. Jr. 1974. Larson, B.M., J.L. 1984). April 2010. Longer dispersal movements of 157.7 87.2 m (mean ± SE) for Prairie Voles and 265.7 ± 164.4 m for Meadow Voles were reported by Verner and Getz (1985). Both extent of occurrence and area of occupancy were calculated using all records since 1956. The Woodland Vole (Microtus pinetorum) is a small vole with an average body mass of 26 g and a length of about 120 mm. They are surface burrowers, moving through thick leafmold and loose soil. 1978. Woodland Voles are considered secure in New York and New Hampshire but uncommon in Vermont and critically imperiled in Maine. The Ontario Endangered Species Act, 2007 prohibits the damage or destruction of the habitat of endangered or threatened species; thus it potentially provides indirect protection by maintaining the habitat of endangered and threatened species that have similar distributions to the Woodland Vole. Voles eat most food below ground and avoid surface activity (Cengel et al. 2009. vii + 41 pp. Outcomes of longterm deciduous forest restoration in southwestern Ontario, Canada. Woodland Vole density in the United States ranges from 0 to 44 individuals/ha in natural habitats but it is unlikely to be as high in Canada. Woodland Voles are commonly associated with deciduous forests but also inhabit scrubby sand dunes, swamps, and orchards. 1986). NLT (Niagara Land Trust). During a severe winter M. pinetorum may cause damage to trees. Weaning occurs at 17-21 days of age (Geyer and Rogers 1979; Hamilton 1938; Fitzgerald and Madison 1983). In Ontario, especially, significant barriers to rescue from the US include large waterways, busy roads and densely populated urban areas. and L.L. Seasonal abundance and movement of nine species of small mammals. Striped Skunks (Mephitis mephitis) excavate nest sites (Fitzgerald and Madison 1981) and domestic cats and dogs commonly prey on small mammals, including voles (Pearson 1985; Ogan and Jurek 1997; Ross 1998). Vandenbergh and W.T. Energetic cost of lactation in Microtus pinetorum. Animal Behaviour 34:519-526. Solomon. Woodland Voles are social and may be monogamous, polyandrous or promiscuous (Wolff 1985; Oliveras and Novak 1986; McGuire and Bemis 2007). Web site: [Accessed March 2010]. Zoologist, Natural Heritage Information Centre, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Government of Ontario, Peterborough, Ontario. On June 5, 2003, the Species at Risk Act (SARA) was proclaimed. Recognizing more than one designatable unit is currently not justified given that all individuals in Canada belong to a single subspecies (M. p. scalopsoides, Hall 1979; or M. p. pinetorum; ITIS 2010). There is no evidence of voles causing any damage to orchard in Canada or that poison is used to control them (Brooks and Struger 1982, Gartshore 1987, Ross 1998). In Québec, the species is likely to be designated as Threatened or Vulnerable. Litter size influences maternal but not paternal care in three species of voles, as measured by nest attendance. 49-53 in L.M. comm. Pickett, K. pers. At Penitentiary Glen Reservation in Lake County, he walked out to the Eastern Hemlock forest at the edge of the park’s namesake ravine with the intention of seeing one of these voles. Biologist, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Government of Ontario, Ontario. The Woodland Vole is considered Secure (S5) in New York State, Apparently Secure (S4) in New Hampshire and Critically Imperiled (S1)in Maine (NatureServe 2010). 340-372. in R.H. Tamarin (ed.). Woodland Voles are predicted to expand their range northward in response to climate change (see Habitat trends section). Richmond. Further, the area with the highest concentration of Woodland Vole records within the St. Thomas ecodistrict has substantially greater forest cover compared to the ecodistrict average of 11.9%. Web site: [Accessed March 2010]. 1997. Threatened (T) A wildlife species likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed. (On-line). "Microtus pinetorum" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Version 2009.1. 1971. Neonate body mass is 1.9-3.2 g and they are 39-48 mm long (Hamilton 1938; Fitzgerald and Madison 1983; Goertz 1971). Species at the edge: The case for listing of “peripheral” species. To adequately sample populations, subsurface trapping is required. Web site: [Accessed April 2010]. Proceedings of the 5th Eastern Pine and Meadow Vole Symposium. Report on habitat and land use in southern Québec. However, males are more aggressive towards other males, whereas females exhibit similar levels of aggression towards both sexes (Back et al. The Forest Act also provides for the conservation of Exceptional Forest Ecosystems and management of private woodlots. Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Cricetidae (Mice, Voles, and Lemmings) Common Name Scientific Name Distribution; Woodland Vole: Microtus pinetorum: Western, central, and northeastern Massachusetts. Fitzgerald, R.W. Bole, B.P. Transactions of the Royal Canadian Institute 18: 271-309. Temperature regulation and bioenergetics of some microtine rodents. Rogers Jr. 1984. Oldham, M.J. and W.F. Woodland Voles are adapted for fossorial (underground) living; they have thick short fur and their eyes, ears and tails are relatively small. Water metabolism in the pine vole, Pitymys pinetorum. Queens Printer for Ontario. : 819-953-3215 Fax: 819-994-3684 E-mail Website, © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2011. 2010. and G. L. Valentine. Some woodland voles may breed throughout the year if they live at low altitudes or experience mild winters. Statistics Canada. in: IUCN 2009. Social organization of a free-ranging population of pine voles, Microtus pinetorum. The Queen's Printer for Ontario. B.C. For enquiries, contact us. ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System). Water loss is reduced when voles are in humid burrows (Getz 1965). Natal dispersal and philopatry in prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) in relation to population density, season and natal social environment. Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Green Mountain Nature Reserve, Gault Nature Reserve of McGill University, Mont Saint Hilaire and Philipsburg Migratory Bird Sanctuaries; Réserve Écologique de la Vallée-du-Ruiter, and land owned and managed by the Ruiter Valley Land Trust). 2001. 1994. Locations are based on trapping records and museum specimens. Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan Press. Woodland Vole populations have not been reported in the areas of New York or Michigan that directly border Canada (Figure 2; Cooper 2000; Sullivan and Curtis 2002).