Note: New data on the distribution of 2N=38 Spalax leucodon (Nordmann, 1840) cytotype in Turkey

Abstract

Subterranean mole rats (Spalax) are widespread in the Palaearctic region (Ognev, 1947; Corbet, 1978; Musser and Carleton, 1993). This genus is represented by two species in Turkey, Spalax ehrenbergi in the southeast and Spalax leucodon (Nordmann, 1840) over the rest of the country (Kıvanç, 1988; Dogramacı, 1989; Yüksel and Gülkaç, 1990, 2001; Nevo et al., 1995; Gülkaç and Küçükdumlu, 1999; Gülkaç and Yüksel, 1999; Sözen et al., 1999; Tez et al., 2001). Moreover, according to Coskun (1996 a,b), a third species, Spalax nehringi (Satunin, 1898), also occurs in Turkey.