Northern bog lemming Status Federal status: G4T3Q N1, Not listed NH state status: SH, Threatened ME state status: S1, Threatened Almost no information exists on the status and distribution of this subspecies. It is disjunct and probably uncommon here, but is probably not as rare as indicated by the limited number of known occurrences since it is rarely captured in general small mammal surveys. It may be seen once and then not for years and then it will show up again, so trends are very difficult to determine. The expert panel said range-wide and local outcomes are unknown because so little is known about the species. The bog lemming was found about 100 years ago and it is still there, but don’t have enough status information to know if there’s been a change; no reason to think that will change in the next 20 years. The habitat is just as available as ever and should continue to be. Distribution The disjunct subspecies sphagnicola is found in northern New Hampshire, on Mt. Katahdin, and in New Brunswick and Quebec east and south of the St. Lawrence River. There are three documented occurrences in New Hampshire, from the base of Mt. Washington, Mt. Moosilauke, and the Wild River drainage. The Wild River occurrence is the only extant occurrence. It was found on the WMNF as part of a directed search for this species. The Mt. Moosilauke historic occurrence was on WMNF land. The WMNF was not established in 1898 when the specimen was collected at the base of Mt. Washington. This site is within the WMNF proclamation boundary if not on the Forest. In Maine, this taxon is documented from Mt. Katahdin, another location in Baxter State Park, and Reddington TWP. None of these is near the WMNF. Habitat Synaptomys borealis sphagnicola has been found in moist mixed and coniferous forest, sphagnum bogs, and alpine sedge meadows at elevations of 400 to 1375 meters. It uses burrows below ground and shallow runways on the surface. It builds a spherical nest of dried grass in underground tunnels, winter nests are on the ground surface, below the snow. Moist conditions with dense ground cover, especially moss, seem to be the most consistent factors. Away from streams they are likely below ground and not easily found, so additional habitat preferences are uncertain and not easily determined. Limiting Factors Unknown. Habitat does not appear to be limiting. May be naturally rare, or may not be as limited as we think. Viability concern The fact that so few individuals have been captured when it appears to use a wide variety of habitats that are available across northern New England and southeastern Canada may indicate very limited populations. However they are not typically caught in general small mammal surveys, so lack of occurrences may be due to the difficulty in trapping them. What might be limiting their populations, if anything, also is unknown. Until their status can be determined, the subspecies is ranked as rare and vulnerable. Management activities that might affect populations or viability Unknown. Most likely activities that would remove the lush ground cover of suitable habitat, compact underground and under-snow tunnels, or result in an area drying out could affect this species. However this is just conjecture based on apparent habitat use, which is based on very few known locations. References Clough, G.C., and J.J. Albright. 1987. Occurrence of the Northern Bog Lemming, Synaptomys borealis, in the Northeastern United States. Canada Field-Naturalist 101 (4): 611-613. DeGraaf, R.M. and M. Yamasaki. 2001. New England Wildlife: Habitat, Natural History, and Distribution. University Press of New England, Hanover and London. French, Tom. Massachusetts Non-game and Natural Heritage Program. Personal communication with Stacy Lemieux, WMNF, on May 7, 2002. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. 2001. Version 1.6 . Arlington, Virginia, USA: NatureServe. Available: http://www.natureserve.org/explorer. Comprehensive report on northern bog lemming as of 4/27/01. Preble, E.A. 1899. Description of a new lemming mouse from the White Mountains, New Hampshire. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. Vol. 13:43-45. SVE panel. 2002. GMNF/WMNF species viability evaluation expert panel notes on mammals. Panel held: May 21-23, 2002, Manchester, NH.