A revision of the distribution of Cabrera’s vole (Microtus cabrerae Thomas 1906) in Andalusia (southern Spain)

• Published in: Hystrix Vol. 19; no. 2
• Main Authors: Garrido-García, Jose, Soriguer, Ramón, Diana Pérez-Aranda Serrano, Pardávila, Xosé
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Varese Associazione Teriologica Italiana 2008
• Subjects: conservation; distribution; Endangered species; Microtus cabrerae; New records; Spain; threatened species; Andalusia Spain; Spain
• ISSN: 0394-1914; 1825-5272
• DOI: 10.4404/hystrix-19.2-4422

This paper consists of a revision of existing records of Cabrera’s Vole Microtus cabrerae in Andalusia (south of Spain) and provides new data from a survey of both previously investigated and new areas. Cabrera’s voles were found at only three of the 17 previously known localities, whilst the species may be in fact extinct in 12 localities. Our results suggest that the species could have disappeared from the central part of the province of Granada. Nevertheless, fieldwork revealed 138 new localities in 24 UTM 10x10 km squares scattered throughout the Cazorla-Segura Mountains and the extreme north of the provinces of Almería and Granada. In 13 of these squares, the presence of the species was confirmed by the capture of 16 specimens. Despite the new localities discovered, the species should still be considered as ‘Critically Endangered’ in Andalusia.