Chromosomal forms of the Mole Rat, Nannospalax nehringi (Satunin, 1898), from the Van Lake Basin in Eastern Turkey (Mammalia: Rodentia)

Two different chromosomal forms of the Mole Rat, Nannospalax nehringi (Satunin, 1898), have been found in the Van Basin, Eastern Turkey: a population around the city of Van with 2n=48, NF=72 and NFa=68, and a population around the city of Bitlis with 2n=54, NF=74 and NFa=70. Both populations are confined to well-defined distribution areas. While both populations are separated in the south by Mt Suphan, an extinct volcano over 4000 m high, there is no geographic barrier between both populations in the north, and there seems to be a secondary contact zone. The Van population constitutes a new chromosomal form of Mole Rat in Turkey, and could be regarded as a sibling species. However, no taxomomic decision is taken until more evidence on the evolution of these forms has become available.