Age determination and age structure in Martino's vole Dinaromys bogdanovi

Molars of Martino's vole Dinaromys bogdanovi develop roots during postnatal growth that offer an opportunity to use root length (R) as an indicator of absolute age (A) in this little known species. The length of the anterior root of the first lower molar correlated positively with age in 95 captive- bred Martino's voles although the fit was fairly poor (R-2 = 0.706). Format ion of the root started in the 4(th) month but could also be postponed. On the basis of the regression equation derived from captive-bred voles (A(mon ths) = 2.261 + 8.95 R) we estimated the years of life for 222 Martino's vol es collected in nature. As expected, specimens in the 1(st) year (46 %) out numbered the remaining age groups while those in the 4(th) year were the ra rest (8 %). The sex ratio was balanced in the 1(st) year animals but biased towards females in the 2(nd) and 3(rd) year. Al females showing signs of r eproduction were in the 2nd year or older. Weight did not differ significan tly between the sexes. In conclusion, available data suggest Martino's vole to be K-selected according to Arvicolinae standards.