Additional Habitat, Diet and Range Information for the White-footed Vole (Arborimus albipes)

Tom Manning, Chris C. Maguire, Kathy M. Jacobs, and Daniel L. Luoma Department of Forest Science Oregon State University Corvallis, Oregon 97331-5752 Tom.Manning@orst.edu

Abstract

Little is known about the natural history of the white-footed vole
(Arborimus albipes). We present new information on habitat, diet and range
of this mammal as a result of 13 captures in the southern Cascade Range of
western Oregon. The study area represents a range extension for the
species. White-footed vole encounters were correlated less with distance
to water than with basal area and density of alder (Alnus rubra) and
percent cover of hazel (Corylus cornuta v. californica). Association with
hazel has not been reported previously. Analysis of white-footed vole
fecal samples provided the first documentation of mycophagy in this
species and of consumption of hazel pollen from unopened catkins. This
latter information supports previous speculation that the white-footed
vole is semi-arboreal and provides corroborating evidence for the observed
correlation with hazel.

See: Manning, T., C. C. Maguire, K. M. Jacobs, and D. L. Luoma. 2003.
Additional habitat, diet and range information for the white-footed vole
(Arborimus albipes). American Midland Naturalist 150(1) 116-123.

One of two published photos of a white-footed vole (Arborimus albipes).

Map of Oregon and northern California showing the known occurrences of white-footed voles, including (in the circle) the three new locations in and near DEMO sites (Layng Creek and Watson Falls), which extend the range of this species into the southern Cascade Range.

Spores of Rhizopogon, a mycorrhizal fungus, from white-footed vole feces collected during the DEMO study. This is the first documentation of mycophagy in this vole.

Hazel (Corylus cornuta) pollen grain found in white-footed vole feces collected from Layng Creek during the DEMO study (pre-treatment sampling). Hazel catkins shed pollen from January to March, but these fecal samples were collected in October/November. This supports earlier speculation by Chris Maser that the white-footed vole is somewhat arboreal, like its closest relative, the red tree vole (Arborimus longicaudus).

Leaves and male catkins of hazel (Corylus cornuta).