Chromosomal forms of the mole rat Microspalax from Greece and Turkey

Abstract

The karyotype of several populations from different regions of Greece and Turkey was analysed. On the basis of the analysis the existence of five different karyotypes recorded: Microspalax leucodon makedonicus with 2n = 52 and NF = 86 M. l. epiroticus 2n =56 and NF = 84, M. l. hellenicus 2n =58 and NF = 88, M. l. turcicus 2n =56 and NF = 78, and the newly described karyotype from the western part of Asia Minor and from rhe island of Lesbos (probably M. nebringi anatolicus) with 2n =38 and NF = 74. It is interesting to note that the karyotype of the population Polychintos from Aegean island of Lesbos is identical to the karyotype of the populations Havran and Selçuk from the western part of Asia Minor. Although there are great differences in respect of the number of chromosomes between the Asian and Aegean populations M. nebringi anatolicus on the one hand and the population M. leucodon turcicus on the other it can be assumed on the basis of the NF value and the nuber of subacrocentric chromosomes that these two karyotypes are phylogenetically closely linked.