Definition

Noun 1. A species of rodent: Microtus richardsoni is the scientific name for a specific species of vole, a small rodent. Its common name is the water vole or Richardson's vole. This species is native to specific regions of western North America.

Usage Notes

• This term is a scientific name (binomial nomenclature). It is always written in (or underlined when handwriting).
• The first part () is the genus name and is capitalized.
• The second part () is the specific epithet and is written in lowercase.
• It is primarily used in academic, zoological, and ecological contexts to precisely identify this species, distinguishing it from other vole species (e.g., , the meadow vole).

Examples

• The study focused on the population dynamics of in alpine meadows.
• is distinguished from other voles by its semi-aquatic habits and larger size.
• Researchers have documented the habitat range of Richardson's vole.

Advanced Usage

• In Taxonomic Classification: The name places the species within a hierarchy: Kingdom: Animalia > Phylum: Chordata > Class: Mammalia > Order: Rodentia > Family: Cricetidae > Subfamily: Arvicolinae > Genus: > Species: .
• Abbreviated Form: After the full name is used once in a text, it can be abbreviated to .

Variants and Related Words

• Richardson's vole (n.): The common English name for this species.
• Water vole (n.): Another common name, describing its preference for habitats near water. (Note: This name is also used for unrelated vole species in Europe, ).
• Vole (n.): The common name for small rodents in the subfamily Arvicolinae, to which belongs.
• Microtine (adj.): Relating to voles and lemmings of the subfamily Arvicolinae.

Synonyms

• Richardson's vole
• Water vole (in a North American context)

Different Meanings

• This term has only one specific meaning: it refers exclusively to this particular biological species. It is not used idiomatically or in other contexts.

Noun

1. of western North America