Blood supply to the abdominal and pelvic regions in the Mediterranean pine vole, Microtus duodecimcostatus (Rodentia, Arvicolidae).

The abdominal and pelvic blood supply of the Mediterranean pine vole (Microtus duodecimcostatus) is described. A total of 13 individuals (seven males, six females) captured in the field (Sanaüja, Spain) were analysed by injection of coloured latex solution and subsequent dissection. The arrangements observed in all specimens show some common traits in relation to the patterns established in other Arvicolidae studied (Arvicola terrestris, Clethrionomys glareolus, Microtus H agrestis). These shared characteristics are centered on the origin of the deep circumflex iliac and the medial femoral circumflex arteries. As a particular variation from other Arvicolidae, some specimens of M. duodecimcostatus exhibit a gastrolienal trunk in the coeliac axis. Furthermore, the origin of the prostatic or the vaginal artery from the pudendoepigastric trunk observed in some specimens of M. duodecimcostatus has not previously been reported in other myomorph rodents.