Another mention of Meadow Vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) found in pellets of Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) in northern Ungava Peninsula, Canada

The examination of raptor pellets can be used to evaluate Arctic biodiversity. We found the remains of Meadow Vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) and Ungava Collared Lemming (Dicrostonyx hudsonius) in pellets from Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) nesting in the northern part of the Ungava Peninsula. We differ...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Canadian Field-Naturalist
Main Authors: Arbez, Louis, Royer, Aurélien, Therrien, Jean-François, Montuire, Sophie
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: The Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club 2022
Subjects:
Ungava peninsula
Microtus pennsylvanicus
Dicrostonyx hudsonius
morphological identification
Meadow Vole
Ungava Collared Lemming
Péninsule d’Ungava
biogéographie
Environement arctique
identification morphologique
Arctic
Canada
Ungava Peninsula
Arctic biodiversity
Arctique*
Bubo scandiacus
Péninsule d'Ungava
snowy owl
harfang des neiges
Online Access:https://www.canadianfieldnaturalist.ca/index.php/cfn/article/view/2719
https://doi.org/10.22621/cfn.v135i4.2719
Description
Summary:The examination of raptor pellets can be used to evaluate Arctic biodiversity. We found the remains of Meadow Vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) and Ungava Collared Lemming (Dicrostonyx hudsonius) in pellets from Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) nesting in the northern part of the Ungava Peninsula. We differentiated the two species by visual identification and geometric morphometric analysis of molar shape. The results of our study combined with historical data suggest that most commonly used range maps of Meadow Vole should be revised. Les restes de proies contenus dans les pelottes de rejection de rapace permettent d'évaluer la biodeversité arctique. Cette étude, basée sur des pelettes de harfang des neiges nichant au Nord de la Péninsule d'Ungava, rapporte la présence deMicrotus pennsylvanicus associé àDicrostonyx groenlandicus. L'identification de M. pennsylvanicus dans cette région représente l'occurence la plus au Nord connue dans la péninsule d'Ungava, ce qui suggère une révision des cartes d'aire de réparition de cette espèce.

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