Water voles are large
voles in the
genusArvicola. They are found in both aquatic and dry habitat through
Europe and much of northern
Asia. A
water vole found in Western
North America was historically considered a member of this genus, but has been shown to be more closely related to members of the genus Microtus.[1][2]
Head and body lengths are 12–22 cm, tail lengths are 6.5–12.5 cm, and their weights are 70–250 g. The animals may exhibit
indeterminate growth. They are thick-furred and have hairy fringes on their feet that improve their swimming ability.
A 2021 phylogenetic study using
mtDNA found that Arvicola may not belong with the rest of its namesake tribe
Arvicolini, but rather forms a
sister group to the tribe
Lagurini.[3]
The
American Society of Mammalogists recognizes four species, with A. italicus and A. persicus being split from A. amphibius, and A. scherman being synonymous with A. amphibius:[7]