A new tool to help conserve one of the UK's most threatened mammals has been released today, with the publication of the first high-quality reference genome for the European water vole.

A new tool to help conserve one of the UK's most threatened mammals has been released today, with the publication of the first high-quality reference genome for the European water vole.

Water voles (Arvicola amphibius), often mistaken for rats, are shy little mammals that scientists call "ecosystem engineers." ...

Researchers at the Wellcome Sanger Institute have sequenced the genome – a complete set of genetic instructions – of the European water vole (Arvicola amphibius), a semi-aquatic rodent under ...

preying on water voles. It has been a problem that has also been seen in other parts of Europe, particularly the Netherlands and Belgium. Surveys across the UK have now shown another steep fall.

Roisin Black, a National Trust ranger at Malham Tarn, said: "In the rest of Europe, water voles are common. In Britain, the creatures are incredibly rare. Image source, National Trust Images ...

A single breeding mink can eliminate an entire water vole colony. No mink have been seen near Malham Tarn for 10 years. Roisin Black, a National Trust ranger, said: "In the rest of Europe ...

European water voles were once a common sight across northern England, but the rodent made famous as ‘Ratty’ in Kenneth Grahame’s classic story ‘The Wind In The Willows’ has now been ...

and that the money will be used to support species such as water vole, otter, wild brown trout and European eel. Chloe Edwards, the trust's director of nature recovery, said: "We know that one in ...

Roisin Black, a National Trust ranger at Malham Tarn, said: "In the rest of Europe, water voles are common. In Britain, the creatures are incredibly rare. Image source, National Trust Images ...

European water voles were once a common sight across northern England, but the rodent made famous as ‘Ratty’ in Kenneth Grahame’s classic story ‘The Wind In The Willows’ has now been ...