Proedromys Thomas 1911

98.

Liangshan Vole

Proedromys liangshanensis

French: Campagnol du Liangshan / German: Liangshan-Wiihimaus / Spanish: Topillo de Liangshan

Taxonomy. Proedromys liangshanensis Liu Shaoying et al, 2007, Maian Dafengding National Nature Reserve in the Liangshan Mountains, Mabian County, Sichuan, China.

Genetic study by Hao Haibang and colleagues in 2011 supported close relationship between Proedromys and Microtus. Monotypic.

Distribution. Mabian Dafengding, Meigu Dafengding, and Jinyang Baicaopo nature reserves in the Liangshan Mts, SW Sichuan, C China.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 102-131 mm, tail 61-82 mm, ear 13-19 mm, hindfoot 20-24 mm; weight 60 g. The Liangshan Vole has longer tail-to-head-body ratio compared with the Duke of Bedford's Vole (P. bedfordi). Dorsal pelage of head and body is generally yellow-brown; ventral pelage is light yellow, without sharp lateral divisions. Guard and pile hairs are black-gray at bases and yellow-brown at tips. They are absent on underparts. Intermediate and fur hairs are black-gray and have light yellow tips on venter. Tail is black-brown above and gray-white below;its is more than 60% of head-body length. Females have eight mammae. Skull is heavily built. M, has five closed triangles.

Habitat. Moist montane forests offir (Abies) and spruce (Picea), both Pinaceae, with abundant grass and moss, at elevations of 2560-3100 m. The Liangshan Vole occupies a unique habitat, shared with some species of Eothenomys.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. The Liangshan Vole is terrestrial.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Results of genetic studies showed very low gene flow among populations of Liangshan Voles, suggesting weak dispersal ability.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List. This classification probably did not consider eco-tourism as threat to natural reserves.

Bibliography. Chen Weicai, Hao Haibang et al. (2010), Hao Haibang et al. (2011), Johnston & Smith (20164), Liu Shaoying et al. (2007).