Swimming ability of the European fossorial vole Microtus (T.) gerbei under different laboratory conditions

S. M. GIANNONI; C. E. BORGHI; M LACONI

MAMMALIA

Año: 2001 vol. 65 p. 143 - 150

0025-1461

We studied the swimming ability of the fossorial rodent Microtus (Terricola) gerbei.  This rodent was not as proficient in swimming as the other two sympatric species in the Spanish Pyrenees (M. lusitanicus and M. duodecimcostatus).  However, swimming time of M. gerbei was within the range expected for other fossorial and subterranean species.  Sex was not significant to swimming time.  Even though hair became soaked significantly faster in males than in females, and males were significantly heavier than females, these differences appeared not to affect significantly their swimming performance.  We determined that the main factor affecting the swimming ability of M. gerbei is its having thick water-resistant fur.  The hair of this rodent took longer to wet in cold than in temperate water, which suggests that this mole-vole is better adapted to swimming in cooler waters.