Microtus nivalis

Fig. 24. Diagram depicting percentile distribution of various vole species in the series of layers in the material of rock shelter no. 1 of Uppony. 1. Microtus arvalis 2. Microtus gregalis 3. Microtus oeconomus 4. Microtus nivalis, 5. Pitymys arvalidens, 6. Arvicola sp. I 7. Dicrostonyx sp. 8. My odes sp. 9. Pliomys sp.

The Bivak cave, already mentioned above in connection with its lower strata, is situated on the other (northwestern) side of the Pilis Hill. Two Gravettian implements of non-cave nature (Vertes, 1965, p. 195) have been found in its upper loessy layer. The rodent fauna is very similar in composition to that of rock shelter no. 1 of Pilisszanto [arctic lemming Dicrostonyx), snow vole, and the narrow-skulled vole Microtus nivalis and gregalis) (twice as many specimens as the former two)], but in the large-mammal fauna the cave bear (U. spelaeus) predominates. Thus, since the two localities are so close geographically, the differences that exist between the two faunas are due to stratigraphical rather than facies differences. The yellowish stratum of the Bivak cave must certainly be dated as older than Pilisszanto no. 1. 

Borowski, Z. (1998) Influence of weasel (Mustela nivalis Linneaus, 1776) odour on spatial behaviour of root voles (Microtus oeconomus Pallas, 1776). Can. J. Zool. 76, 1799-1804. 

Field o ts Microtus agrestis field mice Wea.scl Mtistela nivalis Soiled trap Avoidance of traps Stoddart, 1976... 

Myodes hintoni Kormos Arvicola aff. bactonensis Hinton Lagurus pannonicus Kormos Pitymys gregalaides Hinton Pitymys arvalidens Kretzoi Microius arvalims Hinton Microtus nivalinus Hinton Microtus nivaloides Major Microtus ratticepoides Hinton Microtus sp. (nivalis group)... 

Vf/crofus Microtus Microtus Microtus Microtu nivalis gregahs oeconomus agresfis arvolis... 

Small rodents depend on detection of a predator prior to actual contact. Thus, voles are sensitive to the scent of potential predators and respond to such odors without the necessity for other cues. In the wild, field voles Microtus agrestis) have been observed to avoid traps tainted with either weasel (Mustela nivalis) anal gland secretion or red fox (Vulpes vulpes) feces (Dickman Doncaster, 1984 Stoddart, 1976). Similarly, meadow and montane voles (M pennsylvanicus and M. montanus) were observed to avoid traps treated with the principal odiferous component of fox feces, 2,5-dihydro-2,4,5-trimethyl thiazoline (Sullivan, Crump Sullivan, 1988). The laboratory experiments discussed in the present chapter provided a quantitative assessment of locomotor activity levels following exposure to predator odor in laboratory-bred meadow voles. 

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