Clinal Variability in Bank Vole (Myodes glareolus) of the Russian Plain Exterior Features

Abstract

The article presents the characteristics of the morphometric features of the bank vole (Myodes glareolus, Schreber, 1780) of the Russian Plain. These characteristics depend on the geographical localization of the population. The reconstruction of the ecosystems happen under the influence of the whole complex of adverse factors in the territory of the Russian Plain, in particular in the White Sea-Kuloi Plateau (the BKP). The study of the morphometric characteristics of the BKP bank vole is interesting in the light of geographical variability and forms of adaptation of these species to the changing conditions of existence. At the same time, the data characterizing exterior features of the BKP Myodes glareolus are not published yet or missing. Aim of the research is to identify clinal variability of the morphometric indices of the bank vole in the central part of the BKP and in other areas of the Russian Plain. The objective of the study was to analyze the M. glareolus exterior features depending on the geographical localization of the population. The research was conducted in 2014-2018 in the territory of the central part of the Plateau by traditional trap lines and trap grooves methods. There were 7054 trap-days and 2648 cone-days spent during the work. The 601 mouse-like rodents including Myodes glareolus (n=183) were taken into account. Statistical analysis was conducted using software packages Statistica, PAST. It is well established that the bank vole of the central part of the Plateau has larger size-weight indices than the individuals from the northwestern, the northern, the western, the central and the eastern regions of the Russian Plain (Bergman's Rule). The length of the limbs of the Myodes glareolus in the research area is smaller than the length of the limbs of the individuals from more southern and northeastern areas of the plains (Alenn’s Rule). Perspectives and further directions of work consist in identification of morphometric characteristics changes of the bank vole to the changing conditions of existence on the White Sea-Kuloi Plateau, (especially of Arkhangelsk region), including both natural and transformed areas in general.