First Record of the Southern Red-Backed Vole, Clethrionomys gapperi, in Newfoundland: Implications for the Endangered Newfoundland Marten, Martes americana atrata

Authors

  • Brian J. Hearn Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service - Atlantic Forestry Centre, P.O. Box 960, Corner Brook, Newfoundland A2H 6J3
  • John T. Neville Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service - Atlantic Forestry Centre, P.O. Box 960, Corner Brook, Newfoundland A2H 6J3
  • William J. Curran Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service - Atlantic Forestry Centre, P.O. Box 960, Corner Brook, Newfoundland A2H 6J3
  • Dean P. Snow College of the North Atlantic, Fish and Wildlife Program, P.O. Box 822, Corner Brook, Newfoundland A2H 6H6

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22621/cfn.v120i1.245

Keywords:

Southern Red-backed Vole, Clethrionomys gapperi, Marten, Martes americana atra, introduced species, Newfoundland

Abstract

We report on the first capture of the Southern Red-backed Vole (Clethrionomys gapperi), the eleventh non-native terrestrial mammal established on the island of Newfoundland over the last 150 years. Red-backed Voles may have been accidentally introduced by unknown sources in pulpwood imports or may have been deliberately introduced in an attempt to augment the depauperate small mammal fauna as a vigilante recovery effort for the endangered Newfoundland Marten (Martes americana atrata). We anticipate significant utilization of the Red-backed Vole as prey by both Newfoundland Marten and Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) with associated demographic responses within and between these species. Red-backed Voles will likely change habitat utilization patterns for the endemic subspecies of Meadow Vole, Microtus pennsylvanicus terraenovae.

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Issue

Vol. 120 No. 1 (2006)

Section

Articles

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