Northern Red-backed Vole

Clethrionomys rutilus

General Status Rank: 
Secure
ELCODE: 
AMAFF09010
Common Name: 
Northern Red-backed Vole
Scientific Name: 
Clethrionomys rutilus
Synonyms: 
Myodes rutilus
Naming References: 
R169
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Mammal (Terrestrial Mammal)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Mammalia
Order: 
Rodentia
Family: 
Cricetidae
References: 
R169
General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

12 months (only 20% at 4 months)
References: 
B001

Economic/Human Considerations

food source for fur bearing animals
References: 
B001
Habitat
Open taiga forest of scattered spruce, fir, or birch, and northern shrub vegetation.
References: 
B001
Distribution

Ecozones

Northern Arctic, Southern Arctic, Taiga Cordillera, Taiga Plains, Taiga Shield, Boreal Cordillera
References: 
B001

Distribution

71% of the NWT. Exact distribution unknown - confusion with southern red-backed vole among experts - museum specimen (H108); studies on genetics and distribution between gapperi and rutilis species underway (H126_2005).
Score: 
G = 2
References: 
B001
H108
H126-05

Number of Occurrences

Score: 
E = >
References: 
H126

Area of Occupancy

Stable?
Score: 
-
References: 
R043
RSC13
Population

Population Size

Millions
Score: 
H = <
Trends

Trends

Cyclic fluctuations; last peak in 2002.
Score: 
G = R
References: 
R043
RSC13
Threats

Threats

Score: 
C = M

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Score: 
-
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Secure
Status Rank Description: 
Confusion with Clethrionomys gapperi (southern red-backed vole) among taxonomic experts, distribution unclear.
S Rank: 
S5
Decision Process Description: 
Drafted by S. Carriere based on comments by M. Bradley. Reviewed in 2004, no changes in status. Reviewed in 2010, no change. Reviewed in 2015, no change. Reviewed in 2020, no change.
Last Updated: 
February 16, 2024

References

Age Of Maturity

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Area of Occupancy

  • Carrière S (1998) Small mammal survey in the Northwet Territories and Nunavut Report 1998. NWT Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development Manuscript Report No. 115 RWED Library Call #QL81.5.N67 no.115 - R043 Return
  • Carriere, S. (2004) Small Mammal Survey and Hare Transect Survey in the Northwest Territories – Summary Report 2004. Manuscript report - RSC13 Return

Economic Status

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Ecozones

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Habitat

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Naming

  • Wilson, Don E. and Reeder, DeeAnn M. (2005) Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Johns Hopkins University Press 3rd ed 2142 pages - R169 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Number of Occurrences

  • Carrière, S. (2000) Pers. communication. Ecosystem Management Biologist; RWED - H126 Return

Range Extent

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
  • Fournier M.A. (1999) Personal Communication. - H108 Return
  • Suzanne Carriere (2005) Pers. Comm.. - H126-05 Return

Short Term Trends

  • Carrière S (1998) Small mammal survey in the Northwet Territories and Nunavut Report 1998. NWT Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development Manuscript Report No. 115 RWED Library Call #QL81.5.N67 no.115 - R043 Return
  • Carriere, S. (2004) Small Mammal Survey and Hare Transect Survey in the Northwest Territories – Summary Report 2004. Manuscript report - RSC13 Return

Taxonomy

  • Wilson, Don E. and Reeder, DeeAnn M. (2005) Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Johns Hopkins University Press 3rd ed 2142 pages - R169 Return