Orkney vole

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The Orkney vole is a distinct sub-species of the common vole (Microtus arvalis) which is found only in the Orkney Islands, United Kingdom. Larger than the common vole, it resembles the field vole (Microtus agrestris) but has shorter paler fur.

The Orkney voles have been introduced to the archipelago in the Neolithic. The oldest known radiocarbon dated fossil of the Orkney vole is 4600 years old and marks the youngest possible date of introduction. Possible source area of Orkney voles is France or Spain. There are no common voles on mainland Britain.

[edit] References

• Haynes S., Jaarola M., Searle J.B. 2003. Phylogeography of the common vole (Microtus arvalis) with particular emphasis on the colonization of the Orkney archipelago. Molecular Ecology, 12, 951-956.