Definition

Noun: * A small rodent belonging to the genus Myodes (formerly Clethrionomys), characterized by a reddish-brown streak of fur along its back. These voles are found in forested and mountainous habitats across northern Eurasia and North America.

Usage

• The term redback vole is used specifically to refer to this type of field mouse or vole, distinguishing it from other vole species by its distinctive dorsal coloring.
• It is a common name used in zoology, wildlife biology, and field guides.

Examples

• Researchers set traps to study the population density of the redback vole in the alpine meadow.
• The redback vole is an important prey species for owls and foxes in the boreal forest.
• You can identify a redback vole by the bright reddish stripe running from its head to its tail.

Advanced Usage

• The redback vole is often studied as an indicator species for ecosystem health in northern forests.
• In scientific literature, the common name "redback vole" may refer to several closely related species within the genus, such as the (the Southern Red-backed Vole) in North America.

Variants and Related Words

• Red-backed vole: An alternative spelling with a hyphen.
• Bank vole (): A closely related Eurasian species, sometimes also referred to as a type of redback vole.
• Southern red-backed vole (): The specific species common in North America.
• Northern red-backed vole (): A species found in northern Eurasia and Alaska.

Synonyms

• Clethrionomys vole (older scientific terminology)
• Myodes vole (current scientific terminology)

Different Meanings

• The term redback vole has a single, specific zoological meaning and is not commonly used in idioms or with figurative meanings. It should not be confused with the "redback spider," which is a venomous arachnid.

Noun

1. any of several voles of mountainous regions of Eurasia and America