"Hip Glands" of Microtus Pennsylvanicus and M. Longicaudus (Rodentia:Muridae), Voles "Without" Hip Glands

“Hip glands” of Microtus pennsylvanicus and M. longicaudus (Rodentia: Muridae), voles “without” hip glands. Syst. Zool. 24:171–175.—Many species of voles and lemmings (Microtinae) possess specialized sebaceous glands on the skin arranged in pads which are known as skin glands. Microtus pennsylvanicus and M. longicaudus do not have these distinct skin glands, but their development can be induced by exogenous pharmacological dosages of testosterone. Since the positions of the microtine skin glands are generally considered to be of taxonomic significance, induction of glands on species not known to possess them seems to be an easy taxonomic tool. The results are discussed in terms of the phylogenetic relationships of the two species and the differential response of skin glands on animals in different populations of the same species.