The effect of diet quality on gut anatomy in British voles (Microtinae).

Three species of British voles, the bank vole Clethrionomys glareolus, the field vole Microtus agrestis and the water vole Arvicola terrestris were maintained on diets of seed and plant leaf material to investigate changes in gut anatomy. C. glareolus and M. agrestis showed significant changes in most regions of the gut; they developed longer and heavier tracts when on a high-fibre diet. This response may be important in enabling these animals to withstand seasonal changes in diet quality.