dcsimg

Behavior

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Nicholas, D. 2001. "Synaptomys borealis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Synaptomys_borealis.html
author
Danielle Nicholas, University of Toronto
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Conservation Status

provided by Animal Diversity Web

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Nicholas, D. 2001. "Synaptomys borealis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Synaptomys_borealis.html
author
Danielle Nicholas, University of Toronto
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Benefits

provided by Animal Diversity Web

None known.

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Nicholas, D. 2001. "Synaptomys borealis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Synaptomys_borealis.html
author
Danielle Nicholas, University of Toronto
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Benefits

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Positive effects are unknown, though it is likely that the presence of Northern bog lemmings contributes to a healthy ecological community.

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Nicholas, D. 2001. "Synaptomys borealis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Synaptomys_borealis.html
author
Danielle Nicholas, University of Toronto
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Trophic Strategy

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Northern bog lemmings primarily feed on sedges and grasses. They actively clip sedges, grasses, and leafy plants to line the above ground runways between burrow entrances (Wilson et al, 1999). Runways without clippings indicate an abandoned burrow system (Banfield, 1974).

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Nicholas, D. 2001. "Synaptomys borealis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Synaptomys_borealis.html
author
Danielle Nicholas, University of Toronto
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Distribution

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Northern bog lemmings (Synaptomys borealis) occur across North America from Labrador to southern Alaska. They are uncommon in northwestern and eastern Canada. There is an isolated population south of the St. Lawrence River in the Northern Appalachian Mountains (Banfield, 1974).

Their geographic range is thought to be explained by their high affinity for boreal habitats, these boreal forests have been retreating northward along with S. borealis.

The first fossil record of Synaptomys was found in the Wisconsin Glacial age deposits in the Great Basin, where they are no longer found. Evidence suggests that a glacial meltwater stream provided a local environment which was more mesic and supported a restricted population of lemmings in this canyon-bottom region (Mead et al, 1992).

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Nicholas, D. 2001. "Synaptomys borealis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Synaptomys_borealis.html
author
Danielle Nicholas, University of Toronto
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Habitat

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Synaptomys borealis primarily live in burrows among sedges and grasses (Wilson et al, 1999). They can be found where moisture levels are high and growth of sedges and grasses are sufficient to provide cover as well as act as their food supply (Wilson et al, 1999). During the snow free months this species is active both above and below ground, though most activity at this time occurs below ground to avoid predation by the high diversity of mammalian and avian predators (Wilson et al, 1999). During the winter months this risk of predation is lowered and most activity occurs above ground. Lemmings construct globular nests composed of mosses, grasses, and sedges at ground level just beneath the snow in the winter months and build their nests underground in the summer months (Banfield, 1974). They remain active year-round.

Foraging activities are largely confined to runway systems where vegetation is harvested and either consumed or removed to underground nests via escavated burrow systems (Wilson et al, 1999).

Synaptomys borealis primarily frequent sphagnum-Labrador tea-black bogs but they are also found to live among deep, moist spruce woods, wet, subalpine meadows, and alpine tundra (Mead et al, 1992).

Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial

Terrestrial Biomes: tundra ; savanna or grassland ; mountains

Wetlands: bog

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Nicholas, D. 2001. "Synaptomys borealis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Synaptomys_borealis.html
author
Danielle Nicholas, University of Toronto
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Morphology

provided by Animal Diversity Web

Tail: 20-27mm

Hing foot: 18-21mm (Banfield, 1974)

Synaptomys borealis is a microtine rodent. They have a stocky build, with short legs and a tail which is slightly longer than their hind foot (Wilson et al, 1999). Their ears are relatively small and their nose is blunt. The pelage is coarse and appears ruffled, the colour varies from grayish brown to chestnut brown on their dorsal side and pale gray ventrally (Banfield, 1974). The bicoloured tail is brown above and white below (Wilson et al, 1999).

Synaptomys borealis can be identified by several cranial features. They have a short rostrum, projections on the upper incisors, and mandibular incisors which are thin and pointed. They can be differentiated from their closest relative, Synaptomys cooperi, (southern bog lemmings) by the absence of closed triangles on their mandibular molars and a palate which extends in a sharply pointed, backward projecting spine (Banfield, 1974).

Flank glands of adult males are often clearly marked by a patch of white hair (Banfield, 1974). Females possess eight teats of which two are pectoral pairs and two are inguinal pairs. Synaptomys cooperi has six mammae (Banfield, 1974).

Northern bog lemmings do not have any significant sexual dimorphism.

Range mass: 27 to 35 g.

Range length: 122 to 144 mm.

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Nicholas, D. 2001. "Synaptomys borealis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Synaptomys_borealis.html
author
Danielle Nicholas, University of Toronto
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Reproduction

provided by Animal Diversity Web

The breeding season for S. borealis extends from May to late August. Their litter sizes ranges from two to eight, with an average size of four to five young per litter (Wilson et al, 1999). Female S. borealis are capable of breeding one day after giving birth and are thus capable of having two or three litters per breeding season (Wilson et al, 1999). This indicates the potential for rapid population growth under ideal environmental conditions, though they tend to be uncommon throughout their range.

Key Reproductive Features: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual

license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors
bibliographic citation
Nicholas, D. 2001. "Synaptomys borealis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Synaptomys_borealis.html
author
Danielle Nicholas, University of Toronto
original
visit source
partner site
Animal Diversity Web

Northern bog lemming

provided by wikipedia EN

The northern bog lemming (Synaptomys borealis) is a small North American lemming. It is one of two species in the genus Synaptomys, the other being the southern bog lemming.

Description

They have cylindrical bodies covered with long grey or brown fur with pale grey underparts. A patch of rust-coloured hair is seen at the base of the ears. They have small eyes, a hairy snout, and a short tail. They have 16 teeth and their upper incisors are grooved. They are 13 cm long with a 2-cm tail, and weigh about 30 g.

Distribution and habitat

These animals are found in wet northern forests, bogs, tundra, and meadows in Canada, Alaska, northern Washington, Minnesota, and New England. They feed on grasses, sedges, other green vegetation, and mosses, as well as snails and slugs. Their droppings are green. Predators include owls, hawks, mustelids, and snakes. They are listed as "Species of Special Concern" for protection and preservation by the State of Minnesota [3]

Breeding

Female lemmings have two or three litters of four to six young in a year. The young are born in a nest in a burrow or concealed in vegetation.

Behaviour

They are active year-round, day and night. They make runways through the surface vegetation, and also dig burrows. They burrow under the snow in winter. These animals are often found in small colonies. Lemming populations go through a 3- or 4-year cycle of boom and bust.

References

  1. ^ Cassola, F. (2017). "Synaptomys borealis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T42638A22377185. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T42638A22377185.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. ^ IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) 2008. Synaptomys borealis. In: IUCN 2014. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. http://www.iucnredlist.org. Downloaded on 21 March 2015.
  3. ^ "List of Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN)" (PDF). MNSGCN.
license
cc-by-sa-3.0
copyright
Wikipedia authors and editors
original
visit source
partner site
wikipedia EN

Northern bog lemming: Brief Summary

provided by wikipedia EN

The northern bog lemming (Synaptomys borealis) is a small North American lemming. It is one of two species in the genus Synaptomys, the other being the southern bog lemming.

license
cc-by-sa-3.0
copyright
Wikipedia authors and editors
original
visit source
partner site
wikipedia EN