Phenacomys intermedius Merriam 1889

• Main Authors: Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: unknown
• Published: Lynx Edicions 2017
• Subjects: Biodiversity; Taxonomy; Animalia; Chordata; Mammalia; Rodentia; Cricetidae; Phenacomys; Phenacomys intermedius; Dwarf birch
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6706544; http://treatment.plazi.org/id/03F06D13FFA4206D08451690022AF358

22. Western Heather Vole Phenacomys intermedius French: Phénacomys des bruyeres / German: Westliche Heidekraut-Wiihimaus / Spanish: Topillo de brezo occidental Taxonomy. Phenacomys intermedius Merriam, 1889, “a basaltic plateau, about 20 miles [= 32 km] NNW of Kamloops,” 5500 feet (= 1676 m), British Columbia, Canada. Taxonomic: status of P; intermedius: and P. ungava remains unsettled and should be further scrutinized. Phenacomys ungava was considered a subspecies of P. intermedius by many authorities. Five subspecies recognized. Subspecies and Distribution. P.i.intermediusMerriam,1889—fromW BritishColumbia,Canada,SEtoNNewMexico,USA. Pu.celsusA.B.Howell,1923—SierraNevadaofECCaliforniaandextremeWNevada,USA. P.i.laingiR.M.Anderson,1942—SWBritishColumbia,Canada. P1.levisA.B.Howell,1923—fromEBritishColumbiaandWCAlberta,Canada,SEtoNWMontana,USA. P.i. oramontis Rhoads, 1895 — from S British Columbia, Canada, S to C Oregon, USA. Descriptive notes. Head-body 104-112 mm, tail 26-41 mm, ear 11-17 mm, hindfoot 16-18 mm; weight 40 g (average). The Western Heather Vole is small and short-tailed, with dorsal pelage agouti-gray to brownish and venter whitish or grayish. Unlike most other arvicolines, molars of the two species of Phenacomys are rooted in adults. Diploid number is 2n = 56. Habitat. Heather-like vegetation in upland conifer forests, upland mixed forests, and above timberline in stunted, deformed vegetation, in subalpine landscapes (“krumholtz”) and moist alpine meadows. Common habitats of the Western Heather Vole are willow (Salix sp.) thickets and balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera), both Salicaceae; dwarf birch (Betula glandulosa, Betulaceae); grassy meadows (Festuca altaica, Poaceae); open spruce (Picea glauca, Pinaceae) and open aspen (Populus tremuloides). Food and Feeding. The Western Heather Vole eats twigs, bark, roots, leaves, fruit, seeds, and lichens. Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Ericaceae) is especially important, along with soapberry (Shepherdia canadensis, Fleagnaceae) and mountain cranberry ...