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.

European water voles returned to Britain from ice-free refuges in Iberia and Eastern Europe after the last ice age, with these two clades contributing to genetic diversity in UK populations.

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 ...

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 serious ...

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.