Taxonomic revision of the <i>Nannospalax ehrenbergi</i> species complex (Rodentia: Spalacidae) in Anatolian Peninsula, with description of three new species

Middle Eastern Blind Mole Rats (BMRs), subgenus Nannospalax, are a complex subgenus consisting of nine species described by traditional methods, consist of seven chromosomal races represented by seven different diploid chromosome numbers (2n = 48, 52, 53, 54, 56, 58, and 60), and numerous cryptic species. However, Middle East BMRs are currently referred to under a single species name (Nannospalax ehrenbergi) due to unresolved taxonomic issues. However, Middle East BMR populations in the Anatolian Peninsula, a global hotspot of diversity of Nannospalax, have not been extensively investigated in previous studies. In this study, all chromosome races and almost all populations of Middle East BMRs were examined comparatively for the first time. With an integrative taxonomic perspective, particularly based on morphology, karyology, and molecular genetics (cytb and COI fragments), we have revealed new findings on the taxonomic status and distribution of Middle East BMR species. We excluded Nannospalax ehrenbergi s. str. from the Anatolian Peninsula, and the name Nannospalax ehrenbergi was attributed to the populations immediately surrounding the type locality and to the Israeli and Palestinian populations. Nannospalax intermedius and Nannospalax ceyhanus, identified to the Southeastern Anatolian BMR populations and considered synonyms of Nannospalax ehrenbergi s. str. in previous studies, are recognized as valid biological species independent from Nannospalax ehrenbergi. In addition to these species, three new cryptic species were identified for the Anatolian Peninsula BMR populations, based primarily on mitochondrial DNA sequence differences: Nannospalax karyominor sp. nov. from Hatay (Yayladag); Nannospalax garzanensis sp. nov., from Diyarbak & imath;r, Siirt, and Batman; and Nannospalax colaki sp. nov. from Gaziantep and Kilis. In Israel, Nannospalax golani-Nannospalax galili and Nannospalax carmeli-Nannospalax judaei were determined to be sister taxa. Nannospalax ehrenbergi was considered a superspecies representing the four species in Israel and one species (Nannospalax aegyptiacus) in Egypt. In summary, our study significantly advances our understanding of Middle East BMRs, increasing the number of currently recognized taxa in the subgenus Nannospalax from one (Nannospalax ehrenbergi) to nine species, including Israeli and Egyptian species.