Geographical distribution and Karyotype of Nannospalax ehrenbergi (Rodentia, Spalacidae) in Iraq (Kurdistan Region)
Zaitoon Ahmed HAMAD1, Yüksel COŞKUN2*, Alaettin KAYA2
1 Dicle University Institute of Science Biology Section, Diyarbakır /Turkey
2 Dicle University Science Faculty, Department of Biology, Diyarbakır/Turkey
*Corresponding author
Geographical distribution and Karyotype of Nannospalax ehrenbergi (Rodentia, Spalacidae) in Iraq (Kurdistan Region)
Abstract
The karyological analysis of fifteen mole rats collected in four different localities of North-Iraq (Kurdistan Region). The specimens were studied in respect to their karyological characteristics. The result showed that they belong to the following cytotypes of Nannospalax ehrenbergi: «Duhok-Bardarash Population» 2n = 52, NF = 76, and NFa = 72 and « Erbil-Sulaimania-Kirkuk populations» 2n = 52, NF = 80 and NFa = 76. The karyotypes of the Duhok population is similar with Mosul, …show more content…
Recently, an updated checklist of the mammals of Iraq was published by Al- Sheikhly et al. (2015). The checklist takes into account 93 mammalian species of Iraq and listed the mole rats under the name Nannospalax ehrenbergi.
The Palearctic rodent blind mole rats (Rodentia: Spalacidae) are subterranean mammals belong to the chromosomally diverse family Spalacidae whose phylogenetic relationships are difficult to resolve, resulting in taxonomic uncertainties at every level from species to higher taxon (Savic and Nevo 1990; Musser and Carleton 2005). The mole rat is specifically adapted to the underground life, including a body plan specialized for burrowing tunnels and diet based almost exclusively on
Zaitoon Ahmed HAMAD1, Yüksel COŞKUN2*, Alaettin KAYA2
1 Dicle University Institute of Science Biology Section, Diyarbakır /Turkey
2 Dicle University Science Faculty, Department of Biology, Diyarbakır/Turkey
*Corresponding author
Geographical distribution and Karyotype of Nannospalax ehrenbergi (Rodentia, Spalacidae) in Iraq (Kurdistan Region)
Abstract
The karyological analysis of fifteen mole rats collected in four different localities of North-Iraq (Kurdistan Region). The specimens were studied in respect to their karyological characteristics. The result showed that they belong to the following cytotypes of Nannospalax ehrenbergi: «Duhok-Bardarash Population» 2n = 52, NF = 76, and NFa = 72 and « Erbil-Sulaimania-Kirkuk populations» 2n = 52, NF = 80 and NFa = 76. The karyotypes of the Duhok population is similar with Mosul, …show more content…
Recently, an updated checklist of the mammals of Iraq was published by Al- Sheikhly et al. (2015). The checklist takes into account 93 mammalian species of Iraq and listed the mole rats under the name Nannospalax ehrenbergi.
The Palearctic rodent blind mole rats (Rodentia: Spalacidae) are subterranean mammals belong to the chromosomally diverse family Spalacidae whose phylogenetic relationships are difficult to resolve, resulting in taxonomic uncertainties at every level from species to higher taxon (Savic and Nevo 1990; Musser and Carleton 2005). The mole rat is specifically adapted to the underground life, including a body plan specialized for burrowing tunnels and diet based almost exclusively on