# Myodes rufocanus

**Arctic Bank Vole / Gråsiding / Gray Red-backed Vole**

The grey red-backed vole (*Myodes rufocanus*) is a characteristic inhabitant of the Nordic fell taiga and tundra, known for its distinct reddish back and grey flanks. It is a major herbivore whose population dynamics have profound effects on the local flora.

In the boreal and subalpine zones of Scandinavia, this vole forms a fundamental basis of the food web. Its three- to five-year population cycles dictate the population trends of numerous predators, from owls to foxes.

## FAQs

- **How does Myodes rufocanus influence plant communities in the fell taiga?**: As a dominant herbivore of the Scandinavian forest tundra and taiga, the grey red-backed vole consumes enormous amounts of dwarf shrubs (e.g., *Vaccinium myrtillus*) during cyclical peak years. This leads to periodic rejuvenation of the vegetation and shifts competition in favor of mosses and grasses, which in turn modulates the soil microclimate.
- **What role do they play in the trophic network of Fennoscandia?**: They are essential prey for specialized predators such as the least weasel (*Mustela nivalis*) and the Boreal owl (*Aegolius funereus*). Their cyclical population fluctuations (3-5 years) dictate the reproductive rates of these predators and drive the 'Alternative Prey Hypothesis,' where foxes switch to grouse in years with low vole numbers.


## Weitere Informationen

- Illustration: Myodes rufocanus
- Nature, Taiga & Waters of Västerbotten
- Native to Northern Sweden