BLOCK ISLAND MEADOW VOLE Microtus pennsylvanicus provectus (Bangs) 



Order: RODENTIA Family: CRICETIDAE 



Distinguishing characteristics : Minute differences (larger; gray belly) from the 

 common meadow vole of mainland . 



Present distribution : Block Island, Newport County, Rhode Island. Voles are present 

 on 602 acres, or about 9 percent of the total available area on Block Island, where they 

 are most abundant in vegetation dominated by beachgrass (Ammophila ) and in abandoned 

 fields containing uncut grass and herbs; about 335 acres of optimum vole habitat are 

 available (Clough and Fulk, 1971) . 



Former distribution : Same . 



Status : Reportedly reduced in numbers since early days. Clough and Fulk (1971) report 

 that "there is a secure reservoir population." 



Estimated numbers : Apparently reached a high level in 1965, and have since declined. 

 Live-trapping in November 1965' produced 33 voles (0.89 per 100 trap-hours); in May 1967, 

 20 Voles (0.50); in November 1969', 23 voles (0.27). (Clough and Fulk, 1971). 



Breeding rate in the wild : Several litters of five to seven annually . 



Reasons for decline : Construction of buildings and roads on island; effects of storms 

 and hurricanes. Hotels and cottages for the tourist trade, and accompanying development 

 of dairy farming, altered and reduced the habitat for voles; tourism and farming have 

 declined in the last few decades. (Clough and Fulk, 1971). 



Protective measures already taken : None . 



Measures proposed : Measures should be taken to encourage the continued existence of 

 suitable perennial grass habitat. Clough and Fulk (1971) recommend securing as much 

 of the existing beachgrass and wetland habitats as possible, and maintaining them free 

 from disturbance . 



Number in captivity : Unknown . 



Remarks : Forty-three were collected in 1952 (Chamberlain). 



References : 



Allen, G. M. 1942. Extinct and vanishing mammals of the Western Hemisphere. 



American Committee for International Wildlife Protection, Special Publ . 11, 



p. 98. 

 Chamberlain, J. L. 1954. The Block Island meadow mouse. Jour. Mamm . , 



35:587-589. 

 Clough, G. C. , and G. Fulk. 1971. Current status of the Block Island meadow 



vole, Rhode Island. Biological Conservation (Elsevier Publ. Co., England), 



Vol. 3 pp. 151-152. 

 Hall, E. R. , and K. R. Kelson. 1959. The mammals of North America . Ronald 



Press, N.Y., Vol. 2. p. 727. 



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