title: From biology to management of Savi's pine vole (Microtus savii).
abstract: Savi's pine vole (Microtus savii) is a rodent species of the Cricetidae family, inhabiting southern European agroecosystems. It is considered to be the main cause of rodent-attributed damage in Italy. To achieve an effective management, detailed knowledge of this species is needed. However, the available information about this species is fragmentary and incomplete. In this paper, the existing knowledge of Savi's pine vole taxonomy, reproduction, population dynamics, habitat and food preferences is reviewed in order to organise available information and identify priority areas of future research. Some of the changes in farming practices that have occurred in recent decades may have increased the impact of Savi's pine vole populations in crop fields. To manage this pest species effectively, an integrated strategy is recommended (involving habitat management, trapping and, when appropriate, the use of rodenticides). The apparent lack of cyclical population outbreaks and the relatively small litter size and long gestation and interpartum period of this species suggest that it could be more manageable than other vole species, while its strict herbivorous diet, stable population size in open habitats and wide distribution seem to indicate it as an ideal model species for risk assessment studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ranchelli
authors.affiliation: Bayer CropScience, Monheim am Rhein, Germany.
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barfknecht
authors.affiliation: Latium Region - Regional Parks Agency, Biodiversity and Geodiversity Area, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Capizzi
authors.affiliation: ISPRA - Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Riga
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mazza
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dell'Agnello
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zaccaroni
mesh_terms: D063147:Animal Distribution; D000818:Animals; D003411:Arvicolinae / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D005060:Europe; D005518:Food Preferences; D007558:Italy; D010571:Pest Control; D011157:Population Dynamics
keywords: Microtus savii; Savi's pine vole; agriculture; crop damage; pest species; small mammals