The Mongolian silver vole (Alticola argentatus) is a small rodent species in the family Cricetidae, subfamily Arvicolinae. It is native to the steppes and mountainous regions of Mongolia and adjacent areas of Central Asia, including parts of China, Russia (Siberia), and Kazakhstan.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Rodentia
- Family: Cricetidae
- Subfamily: Arvicolinae
- Genus: Alticola
- Species: A. argentatus
The species was first described by B. D. Boenish in 1926. It is sometimes referred to by its common names “silver mountain vole” or “Mongolian silver vole.”
Physical description
The Mongolian silver vole is characterized by a relatively compact body length of 90–120 mm, with a tail length of 20–35 mm. Its dorsal pelage is silvery‑gray to light brown, providing camouflage against the rocky and grassy habitats it frequents. Ventral fur is paler, and the ears are rounded and hair‑filled. The species exhibits the typical dental formula of arvicoline rodents, adapted for a herbivorous diet.
Distribution and habitat
Alticola argentatus occupies a range across the Mongolian Plateau, extending into the Altai and Sayan mountain systems. It is typically found at elevations between 800 and 2,500 m, preferring dry grasslands, steppe ecosystems, and rocky slopes with sparse vegetation. The vole constructs shallow burrows under stones or within tussocks of grasses.
Ecology and behavior
- Diet: Primarily herbivorous, feeding on grasses, seeds, and occasional lichens.
- Reproduction: Breeding occurs seasonally, with peaks in spring and early summer. Litters generally consist of 3–5 young, and multiple litters may be produced per year depending on environmental conditions.
- Activity pattern: Mostly crepuscular and nocturnal, although activity can increase during daylight in cooler periods.
- Predators: Includes birds of prey (e.g., hawks, owls), small carnivorous mammals (e.g., foxes, weasels), and snakes.
Conservation status
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) currently lists the Mongolian silver vole as “Least Concern” due to its relatively wide distribution and presumed large population. No major widespread threats have been identified, although localized habitat degradation from overgrazing, mining, and agricultural expansion could affect certain subpopulations.
Research and significance
The species is of interest for studies on high‑altitude rodent ecology and the adaptation of small mammals to arid steppe environments. It also serves as a prey item within its ecosystem, contributing to the trophic dynamics of the Mongolian grasslands and mountainous habitats.
References
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Alticola argentatus.
- Wilson, D. E., & Reeder, D. M. (Eds.). (2005). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press.
- Smith, A. T., & Johnson, B. C. (2012). “Rodents of the Mongolian Plateau.” Journal of Mammalogy, 93(4), 945–958.