Search

An analysis of the genetic diversity of the field vole was carried out with the inclusion of new data on the complete sequences of the cytochrome b gene from the least studied area of the range of the species—the central part of Northern Eurasia (20 localities of the East European Plain, the Urals, Western and Eastern Siberia). The obtained results are generally consistent with modern view on the phylogeography of the species, but indicate the previously not investigated genetic heterogeneity of the Eastern clade, which occupies the entire Asian part of the range of the species and its European part to Northern and Eastern Europe. A comparison of the results of analysis of genetic diversity with the age of paleontological findings carried out using the Urals as an example allows one to assume that climatic changes in the Late Pleistocene and Holocene could not have led to the complete extinction of the species in the region, but to the spatial redistribution of its populations and to the complete or partial replacement of some genetic groups by others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The southernmost population of Eurasian water vole (Arvicola amphibius) inhabited Lake Hula in the upper Jordan Valley until the lake was drained in the 1950s. Considering the continuous conservation and restoration initiatives in the Hula Valley, we set out to verify the extinction of the Hula water vole population using trap surveys, field sign surveys, and owl pellets' content. Having confirmed its recent extirpation, we used museum and archaeological specimens to study the morphological and genetic similarity of the extirpated Hula water voles to both modern conspecifics in Eurasia and to local Pleistocene specimens. Our results suggest that the Hula population represented an admixture of extinct local Pleistocene and extant, probably European, ancestors. The recent anthropogenic extirpation of this unique population could justify its reintroduction. Species distribution modelling, however, suggests future deterioration of habitat suitability over the coming decades. This calls for careful consideration of how sustainable a reintroduction would be. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The East European vole is a facultative synanthropic species that actively spreads in the eastern part of northern Eurasia. The distribution area of the species in Irkutsk oblast has been known as a disjunct part of the range since the 1980s. Our dataset includes 98 individuals caught in 2016–2017 and 2021–2023 in the eastern segment of the species'dispersal area, where the East European vole was first discovered in the early 2010s. Animals were caught in anthropogenically transformed landscapes spanning from the outskirts of Irkutsk to kilometer 23 of the Goloustnenskii Tract; trapping in natural biotopes revealed no M. rossiaemeridionalis. Species identification was based on molecular genetic markers. Morphological and fine structural characteristics of molar teeth were studied using both light and scanning electron microscopy. The complexity of the occlusal surface, the alternation patterns of the enamel cutting edges (occlusal regularity), and the presence or absence of atypical extra elements such as prismatic folds and prisms in places of the early cricetid dental features were assessed. The estimates of the complexity and regularity patterns fell within the range of dental variability known for the continuous distribution area of the species. The atypical extra elements on molars were described in M. rossiaemeridionalis for the first time based on material coming from two trapping sites. With the maximum manifestation of these folds, a supernumerary prism, topologically corresponding to the hypoconid, is separated from the posterior lobe of the lower teeth. The distribution of lamellar and radial enamel on the supernumerary prism is not consistent with the functionally significant and evolutionarily determined distribution of enamel types on teeth of the genus Microtus. It is concluded that the studied local micropopulation exhibits the phenotypic consequences of population restoration from a small number of founders. Apparently, the species in the study area faces multiple successive cases of establishment (naturalization) in a new territory. The results obtained confirm the prospects of using dental characters for monitoring Arvicolinae species, the distribution boundaries of which are subject to significant spatial changes in the relatively short periods of time available for observation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phylogeography of the filed vole (Microtus agrestis) in Eurasia was thoroughly examined using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of the cytochrome b (cytb) gene. However, the former conclusions about genetic variability and the contact zone of eastern and western genetic lineages in Lithuania were based on the analysis of a very limited number of individuals. In the present study, we examined 74 M. agrestis individuals trapped in four sites in the eastern, northern, and western parts of the country using sequence analysis of cytb and D-loop. Totals of 25 new cytb haplotypes and 19 new D-loop haplotypes were identified for this species. Higher nucleotide diversity was observed for D-loop (π = 0.01147 ± 0.00070) as compared to cytb (π = 0.00694 ± 0.00039). The phylogenetic analysis based on both loci revealed the presence of two genetic lineages, i.e., the eastern and western ones, which were mixed in Lithuanian samples, with the exception of the Rusnė site in the west of the country. Only the western lineage was observed in this island population of M. agrestis; the sample differed in low genetic variability and genetic differentiation from other investigated samples. We found D-loop to be an appropriate locus for the evaluation of the genetic variability of M. agrestis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cestodes Paranoplocephala kalelai, which parasitizes in the small intestine of Myodes voles and is distributed in northern Fennoscandia, was found in six habitats in the Asian part of Russia and eastern Kazakhstan, which indicates a wider distribution of P. kalelai on the continent. Analysis of mtDNA showed that P. kalelai is characterized by significant molecular variability in Eurasia. This study complements the data on the distribution of P. kalelai and provides the first molecular data from the territory of Russia and Kazakhstan. The sequence variability of two mitochondrial genes cox1 and nad1 of P. kalelai was studied in two species of voles: gray red-backed Myodes rufocanus and northern red-backed vole Myodes rutilus. Five haplotype groups in the cox1 and nad1 gene networks were identified, and the existence of two mtDNA lines in P. kalelai outside northern Fennoscandia was confirmed. The geographical distribution of the identified haplotypes suggests that the foothills of the Altai-Sayan mountains and southern West Siberia may serve as a refugium for P. kalelai during repeated glaciations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Genomic characterization of viruses is essential to understand their pathophysiology. • We have designed a targeted hybrid-capture panel encompassing all Orthohantaviruses. • We have sequenced the first complete Swedish wild-type Puumala virus genomes. • Puumala virus from humans and bank voles revealed a close phylogenetic relationship. • This method could be used for diagnostic purposes and Orthohantavirus surveillance. Orthohantaviruses, transmitted primarily by rodents, cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Eurasia and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in the Americas. These viruses, with documented human-to-human transmission, exhibit a wide case-fatality rate, 0.5–40 %, depending on the virus species, and no vaccine or effective treatment for severe Orthohantavirus infections exists. In Europe, the Puumala virus (PUUV), carried by the bank vole Myodes glareolus , causes a milder form of HFRS. Despite the reliance on serology and PCR for diagnosis, the three genomic segments of Swedish wild-type PUUV have yet to be completely sequenced. We have developed a targeted hybrid-capture method aimed at comprehensive genomic sequencing of wild-type PUUV isolates and the identification of other Orthohantaviruses. Our custom-designed panel includes >11,200 probes covering the entire Orthohantavirus genus. Using this panel, we sequenced complete viral genomes from bank vole lung tissue, human plasma samples, and cell-cultured reference strains. Analysis revealed that Swedish PUUV isolates belong to the Northern Scandinavian lineage, with nucleotide diversity ranging from 2.8 % to 3.7 % among them. Notably, no significant genotypic differences were observed between the viral sequences from reservoirs and human cases except in the nonstructural protein. Despite the high endemicity of PUUV in Northern Sweden, these are the first complete Swedish wild-type PUUV genomes and substantially increase our understanding of PUUV evolution and epidemiology. The panel's sensitivity enables genomic sequencing of human samples with viral RNA levels reflecting the natural progression of infection and underscores our panel's diagnostic value, and could help to uncover novel Orthohantavirus transmission routes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the Late Pleistocene, narrow-headed voles (Lasiopodomys gregalis) inhabited Eurasia's vast territories, frequently becoming the dominant small mammal species among steppe-tundra communities. We investigated the relationship between this species' European and Asiatic populations by sequencing the mtDNA genomes of two extant specimens from Russia and 10 individuals from five Central European sites, dated to the post-LGM period. Phylogenetic analyses based on a large portion of mtDNA genomes highly supported the positioning of L. gregalis within Arvicolinae. The phylogeny based on mtDNA cytochrome b sequences revealed a deep divergence of European narrow-headed voles from Asiatic ones and their sister position against the extant L. gregalis and L. raddei. The divergence of the European lineage was estimated to a minimum 230 thousand years ago. This suggest, contrary to the current biogeographic hypotheses, that during the interglacial periods narrow-headed vole did not retreat from Europe but survived the unfavourable conditions within the refugial areas. Based on this result, we propose to establish a cryptic species status for the Late Pleistocene European narrow-headed vole and to name this taxon Lasiopodomys anglicus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hymenolepidid cestodes in Myodes glareolus from Lithuania and additional specimens originally attributed to Arostrilepis horrida from the Republic of Belarus are now referred to A. tenuicirrosa. Our study includes the first records of A. tenuicirrosa from the European (western) region of the Palearctic, and contributes to the recognition of A. horrida ( sensu lato) as a complex of cryptic species distributed broadly across the Holarctic. Specimens of A. tenuicirrosa from Lithuania were compared to cestodes representing apparently disjunct populations in the eastern Palearctic based on structural characters of adult parasites and molecular sequence data from nuclear (ITS2) and mitochondrial (cytochrome b) genes. Morphological and molecular data revealed low levels of divergence between eastern and western populations. Phylogeographic relationships among populations and host biogeographic history suggests that limited intraspecific diversity within A. tenuicirrosa may reflect a Late Pleistocene transcontinental range expansion from an East Asian point of origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An important problem for understanding the history of the small mammal communities of Eurasia is the time of final disappearance of ancient voles of the genus Mimomys and appearance of recent water voles of the genus Arvicola. The new material from the Mastyuzhenka section of Don basin shows that, in the Mimomys–Arvicola evolutionary lineage, the roots of the cheek teeth were lost and, hence, the genus Arvicola appeared in the pre-Okian (pre-Elsterian = pre-Anglian) time, that is, in the final phase of the Cromerian. This brings the timing of this transition in Russia closer to that in Central and Western Europe, and therefore provides better support for inter-regional biochronological correlations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Voles of the genera Microtus and Myodes feed on tree seedlings planted on cutover forest land in temperate and boreal forests of North America and Eurasia. This damage may have serious economic implications as well as limit regeneration of appropriate tree species in certain forest ecosystems. Prediction of vole population outbreaks and feeding damage to forest plantations, across even a limited geographic range, has yet to be achieved in North America. Thus, a major objective was a detailed analysis of changes in population dynamics of long-tailed voles (Microtus longicaudus), and to test three hypotheses (H) that vole populations would: (H1) rise and fall in accordance with the abundance of herbaceous plants (grasses and forbs) during early vegetative succession after forest harvesting, (H2) be positively associated with grass-seeded sites; and (H3) incidence of feeding damage to seedlings would be positively associated with vole abundance. Voles were live-trapped for 6 years (2004–2009) from the time of harvesting on intensive sites, as well as surveyed over a range of extensive sites. Population numbers were related to habitat characteristics and tree damage in young forest plantations near Golden, British Columbia, Canada. Populations of long-tailed voles were low in the first two years after harvest with mean numbers <5–15/ha. Annual peaks of 49–84 voles/ha were recorded in 2006. In the fourth year (2007) after harvesting, numbers of voles declined on two of three sites, deepened in 2008 and reached extirpation in 2009. On the extensive sites, vole numbers increased 4.6–5.3 times from 1–2 to 3–6 years post-harvest before declining thereafter. Crown volume index of grasses and herbs, volume and abundance of downed wood, total species richness of vascular plants, and structural diversity of herbs were important habitat variables. Vole numbers were higher on those sites seeded with pasture grasses and forbs. There was a significant positive relationship of tree mortality and abundance of voles (Microtus) across a relatively wide geographic area. This study is the first relatively long-term analysis of changes in population dynamics of the long-tailed vole and the predictions of H1 and H2 seemed to be supported. The positive relationship (H3) of the incidence of overwinter damage to trees and vole abundance is the first such analysis for forest plantations, on harvested sites, in North America. At 3–4 years post-clearcut harvesting is a critical time for population buildups of voles and subsequent damage to plantation trees. Seeded grass species clearly create optimum habitat conditions for voles, generating population densities up to 30–50 voles/ha, which is in the range of a “high” damage risk to seedlings. Risk ratings (voles/ha) for feeding damage to trees were low (<7), moderate (7–34), high (35–88), and very high (>88). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract  On the basis of abundant fossil and subfossil bone remains, the ecological and faunal role of the narrow-skulled vole in zonal rodent communities of northern Eurasia is analyzed over the period from the Late Pleistocene to the present time. Special attention is given to the correlated dynamics of relative abundance of Microtus gregalis and other rodent species in the course of transition from one zonal type to another and to specific features of this correlation in the southern, middle, and northern parts of the species range. It is shown that distinctive dimensional and morphotypic features of the two currently existing subspecies, Microtus gregalis major Ogn. and M. g. gregalis Pall., are the product of concordant development of the species and environmental conditions in the past 3000–4000 years (transition from the Holocene optimum to the present-day climate and state of the natural environment). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We, the Editor and Publishers of the I International Journal of Neuroscience i , have retracted the following article: Dmitrii A. Kuznetsov (1989) In Vitro Studies of Interactions Between Frequent and Unique Mrnas and Cytoplasmic Factors from Brain Tissue of Several Species of Wild Timber Voles of Northern Eurasia, Clethrionomys Glareolus, Clethrionomys Frater and Clethrionomys Gapperi: a New Criticism to a Modern Molecular-Genetic Concept of Biological Evolution, International Journal of Neuroscience, 49:1-2, 43-59, DOI: 10.3109/00207458909087038 The above article has been retracted due to the unreliable nature of the experimental results presented. Concern was originally raised via a Letter to the Editor, Dan Larhammar (1994) Lack of Experiemental Support for Kuznetsov's Criticism of Biological Evolution, International Journal of Neuroscience, 77:3-4, 199-201 DOI: 10.3109/00207459408986031. We have been informed in our decision-making by our I policy on publishing ethics and integrity i and the I COPE guidelines on retractions. i The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as "Retracted". [Extracted from the article]

Microtus and Myodes continue to be major pests in agricultural and forest production in many temperate and boreal ecosystems of North America and Eurasia. However, voles may also be keystone species because of their predator-prey dynamics and feeding linkages in many networks. As an alternative to rodenticides, exploration continues for a suitable fear-based method to reduce vole damage to crops. This study tested the hypotheses (H) that a "neat" formulation of synthetic anal-gland compounds of the short-tailed weasel (Mustela erminea L.) would reduce (H 1) abundance, reproduction, survival, body mass, and movement of long-tailed vole (Microtus longicaudus Merriam) populations; and (H 2) feeding damage to coniferous seedlings by voles in forest plantations. Vole populations were live-trapped on replicate sites from May 2005 to June 2006 during a peak year in abundance near Golden, British Columbia, Canada. Synthetic weasel odour was continually present on treatment sites from June 2005 to June 2006. Overwinter mortality to planted coniferous seedlings from vole feeding was measured on all sites in May–June 2006. Synthetic weasel odour compounds did not reduce mean abundance of M. longicaudus but, in fact, resulted in significantly higher numbers of voles in the treatment sites owing to a major pulse of transient (single capture) animals. Mean number of successful pregnancies and total recruits were also higher in treatment than control sites, but early juvenile survival, movements, and body mass were all similar between control and weasel-odour sites. However, mean Jolly-Seber 28-day total survival rates were higher (2.9–3.9 times) on control than treatment sites for both male and female voles during the overwinter-spring 2005–06 period. Much of the reduced survival was due to transient animals which tended to have a higher proportion of adults to juveniles in treatment than control sites. Some degree of disruption presumably occurred on the treatment sites perhaps owing to increased breeding intensity by females in the face of perceived predation or the presence of various mammalian predators attracted to the weasel odour and preying upon voles. This disruption may be linked to the use of synthetic weasel odour in suitable release devices that maintain the odour even in high quality habitats for voles. Despite the difference in abundance, voles seemed to feed less on plantation trees in the treatment than control sites. If this population disruption is real, we suggest that large-scale (e.g., 10+ ha) application of synthetic weasel odour in areas requiring crop protection from voles would be a worthwhile endeavour. This prediction is particularly germane for M. longicaudus where weasel odour treatment might be able to disrupt substantially their one population fluctuation on newly clearcut sites. • Synthetic weasel odour compounds did not reduce mean abundance of Microtus longicaudus , but did reduce total survival. • Reduced survival was due to transient animals which had a higher proportion of adults to juveniles in treatment sites. • Population disruption presumably occurred on treatment sites owing to transients or attraction of predators. • Voles seemed to feed less on plantation trees in treatment than control sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cowpox virus (CPXV) belongs to the genus Orthopoxvirus in the Poxviridae family and is endemic in western Eurasia. Based on seroprevalence studies in different voles from continental Europe and UK, voles are suspected to be the major reservoir host. Recently, a CPXV was isolated from a bank vole (Myodes glareolus) in Germany that showed a high genetic similarity to another isolate originating from a Cotton-top tamarin (Saguinus oedipus). Here we characterize this first bank vole-derived CPXV isolate in comparison to the related tamarin-derived isolate. Both isolates grouped genetically within the provisionally called CPXV-like 3 clade. Previous phylogenetic analysis indicated that CPXV is polyphyletic and CPXV-like 3 clade represents probably a different species if categorized by the rules used for other orthopoxviruses. Experimental infection studies with bank voles, common voles (Microtusarvalis) and Wistar rats showed very clear differences. The bank vole isolate was avirulent in both common voles and Wistar rats with seroconversion seen only in the rats. In contrast, inoculated bank voles exhibited viral shedding and seroconversion for both tested CPXV isolates. In addition, bank voles infected with the tamarin-derived isolate experienced a marked weight loss. Our findings allow for the conclusion that CPXV isolates might differ in their replication capacity in different vole species and rats depending on their original host. Moreover, the results indicate host-specific differences concerning CPXV-specific virulence. Further experiments are needed to identify individual virulence and host factors involved in the susceptibility and outcome of CPXV-infections in the different reservoir hosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tick-borne encephalitis is the most important tick-transmitted zoonotic virus infection in Eurasia, causing severe neurological symptoms in humans. The causative agent, the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), circulates between ticks and a variety of mammalian hosts. To study the interaction between TBEV and one of its suspected reservoir hosts, bank voles of the Western evolutionary lineage were inoculated subcutaneously with either one of eight TBEV strains or the related attenuated Langat virus, and were euthanized after 28 days. In addition, a subset of four strains was characterized in bank voles of the Carpathian linage. Six bank voles were inoculated per strain, and were housed together in groups of three with one uninfected in-contact animal each. Generally, most bank voles did not show any clinical signs over the course of infection. However, one infected bank vole died and three had to be euthanized prematurely, all of which had been inoculated with the identical TBEV strain (Battaune 17-H9, isolated in 2017 in Germany from a bank vole). All inoculated animals seroconverted, while none of the in-contact animals did. Viral RNA was detected via real-time RT-PCR in the whole blood samples of 31 out of 74 inoculated and surviving bank voles. The corresponding serum sample remained PCR-negative in nearly all cases (29/31). In addition, brain and/or spine samples tested positive in 11 cases, mostly correlating with a positive whole blood sample. Our findings suggest a good adaption of TBEV to bank voles, combining in most cases a low virulence phenotype with detectable virus replication and hinting at a reservoir host function of bank voles for TBEV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]