| Skomer vole | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Cricetidae |
| Subfamily: | Arvicolinae |
| Genus: | Clethrionomys |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: | C. g. skomerensis |
| Trinomial name | |
| Clethrionomys glareolus skomerensis (Barrett-Hamilton, 1903) | |
The Skomer vole (Clethrionomys glareolus skomerensis) is a subspecies of bank vole endemic to the island of Skomer, off the west coast of Wales. The bank vole was probably introduced by humans at some time after the last glaciation. It is one of four small mammal species on Skomer. There are approximately 20,000 voles on the island.[1] The vole's main predators are owls, but it is also eaten by other predators, including common kestrel, common buzzard and peregrine falcon.[1] Like other voles they are short-lived, surviving to around 18 months old at most. At their largest they are roughly 12 centimetres (4.7 in) long and weigh a maximum of 40 grams (1.4 oz).[2]
Discovery
The Skomer vole was discovered by Robert Drane (d. 1914), a pharmacist from Swansea who was a founding member of the Cardiff Naturalists Society in 1867, and at sometime its president, and also an authority on porcelain and honorary curator of Cardiff Museum.[3]
References
- 1 2 "Skomer Vole". BBC Wales. 24 May 2011. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
- ↑ "Skomer Vole (Myodes glareolus skomerensis)". Storm Crow Survival. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
- ↑ Joshua John Neale. "PAPERS OF ROBERT DRANE OF CARDIFF" (PDF). Glamorgan Record Office/Archifdy Morgannwg. Retrieved 17 July 2018.