| Ganzu vole | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Cricetidae |
| Subfamily: | Arvicolinae |
| Genus: | Caryomys |
| Species: | C. eva |
| Binomial name | |
| Caryomys eva (Thomas, 1911) | |
| Synonyms | |
Eothenomys eva | |
TheGanzu vole,Eva's red-backed vole,Eva's vole,Gansu vole, orTaozhou vole (Caryomys eva) is a species ofrodent in the familyCricetidae.It is found in mountain forests inChina. TheIUCN has assessed it as being of "least concern".
The Ganzu vole grows to a head and body length of 83 to 100 mm (3.3 to 3.9 in) with a moderate-length tail some 46 to 60 mm (1.8 to 2.4 in) long. The dorsal fur is dark reddish-brown and the underparts are dark grey, the guard hairs having buff-coloured tips. The upper surfaces of the hands and feet are dark brown. The tail is dark brown above and paler brown below but not obviously bicoloured as is the case in the closely relatedKolan vole (Caryomys inez). The two species are also differentiated by the arrangement of the cusps on theirmolars.[2]
The Ganzu vole isendemic to mountainous regions of China where it is found in the provinces ofSichuan,Gansu,Shaanxi,Hubei,Qinghai andNingxia. Its typical habitat is moist forest with an abundance of mosses and its altitudinal range is 2,600 to 4,000 metres (8,530 to 13,120 ft) above sea level. It seems to occupy the ecological niche thatred-backed voles (Eothenomys sp.) occupy at lower altitudes.[1]
The Ganzu vole feeds on plant material including buds, leaves, shoots, grasses, seeds and bark.[2]
The Ganzu vole has a very wide range and is presumed to have a large total population. No specific threats have been identified for this species and there are several protected areas within its range. Although the population trend is unknown, it is unlikely that the species is declining at a fast enough rate to justify listing it in a threatened category so theInternational Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being of "least concern".[1]
