Introduction
Blyth (1843) described the specimens collected from
Quetta (West Pakistan) as Ellobius fuscocapillus. Thomas
(1905) was the first to record Ellobius from Iran,
describing Ellobius woosnami, a new specimen in Isfahan
(Iran). Afterwards, Goodwin (1940) recorded E.
fuscocapillus from Astrabad, Ellerman (1948) from
Kazvin, Ognev (1950) from Central Iran, Vinogradov and
Argiropulo (1941) from Mazanderan, and Misonne
(1959) from Horasan, Zenjan, Senendec, Gurve and
Lurestan.
Ellerman (1948) evaluated the specimens in the
British Museum and stated that E. fuscocacillus and E.
lutescens described by Thomas (1897) were valid species
of Ellobius. Ellerman and Morrison-Scott (1951) pointed
out that E. fuscocapillus (Blyth, 1843), E. lutescens
Thomas, 1897 and E. talpinus (Pallas, 1770) were valid
species of Ellobius and of these species E. fuscocapillus
and E. lutescens had a distribution in Iran. Ellerman and
Morrison-Scott (1951) stated that E. farsistani, described
by Ugarov from Kopet Mountain (Turkistan) in 1928,
was a synonym of E. fuscocapillus; that E. wossnami,
described by Thomas in Dumbeneh (Iran) in 1905, was E.
l. woosnami; that E. fusciceps, described by Thomas from
Semerkant (Turkistan) in 1909, was E. t. fusciceps; and
that E. f. lengendrei, described by Goodwin in the
Turkmenistan desert (Iran) in 1940, was E. l. lengendrei.
Lay (1967) determined hat E. fuscocapillus was a valid
species in Iran along with the 4 subspecies E. f.
fuscocapillus, E. f. lutescens, E. f. lengendrei and E. f.
woosnami. Corbet (1978) also recorded that Ellobius had
2 species; (E. fuscocapillus, and E. talpinus) and 2
subspecies (E. f. fuscocapillus and E. f. lutescens).
Eitemad (1979) recorded that the 3 valid species
were E. fuscocapillus, E. farsistani Ugarov, 1928 and E.
Turk J Zool
27 (2003) 281-292
© TÜB‹TAK
281
A Study on the Morphology, Karyology and Distribution of
Ellobius Fisher, 1814 (Mammalia: Rodentia) in Iran
Mohammad MORADI GHARKHELOO
Department of Biology, Zencan University - IRAN
Erkut KIVANÇ
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ankara University - TURKEY
Received: 13.08.2002
Abstract: In this study, 180 mole-vole specimens collected from west, central, east and southeast Iran were investigated by
morphological, biometrical and karyological methods. According to our findings, 3 different species, Ellobius fuscocapillus, Ellobius
lutescens and Ellobius talpinus, are distributed in Iran. Karyological findings showed that E. fuscocapillus has 2n = 36 (NF = 58, NFa
= 54), E. lutescens has 2n = 17 (NF = 34, NFa = 32) and E. talpinus has 2n = 52 (NF = 54, NFa = 50) chromosomes.
Key Words: Iran, Ellobius, morphology, karyology, distribution.
‹ran’daki Ellobius Fisher, 1814 (Mammalia: Rodentia)’un Morfolojisi,
Karyolojisi ve Yay›l›fl› Üzerine Bir Çal›flma
Özet: Bu çal›flmada ‹ran'›n bat›, merkez, do¤u ve güneydo¤u bölgelerinden toplanan 180 adet Ellobius örne¤i morfolojik, biyometrik
ve karyolojik olarak araflt›r›ld›. Elde edilen bulgulara göre ‹ran'da üç tür; Ellobius fuscocapillus, Ellobius lutescens ve Ellobius talpinus,
yay›l›fl göstermektedir. Karyolojik bulgular, E. fuscocapillus'ta 2n = 36 (NF = 58, NFa = 54), E. lutescens'te 2n = 17 (NF = 34, NFa
= 32), E. talpinus'ta 2n = 52 (NF = 54, NFa = 50) oldu¤unu teyit etti
Anahtar Sözcükler: ‹ran, Ellobius, morfoloji, karyoloji, yay›l›fl.
fusciceps Thomas, 1909 and the 4 subspecies were E. f.
fusciceps, E. f. lutescens, E. f. lengendrei and E. f.
woosnami in Iran. Harrison and Bates (1991) reported
that the species in Iran was E. fuscocapillus, and the taxon
in Van (Turkey) was E. f. lutescens, evaluating the
Ellobius species belonging to Iran. Coflkun (1997) stated
that E. lutescens has no subspecies after studies in Van
(Turkey). In some morphological studies carried out in
Iran, Lay (1967) and Harrison and Bates (1991)
suggested that only 1 species and 4 subspecies ranged
across Iran, in contrast to researchers who suggested
that 3 species and 4 subspecies were distributed in Iran.
Eitemad (1979) and Ellerman and Morrison-Scott (1951)
claimed that the genus Ellobius was represented by 2
species and 3 subspecies in the Palearctic region as
opposed to Corbet (1978), who stated that it was
represented by 1 species and 2 subspecies.
As understood from the literature specified above, the
taxonomy and distribution of the genus Ellobius have not
yet been firmly determined in Iran, and there are a
myriad of problems to be solved concerning this genus.
The purpose of this study is to develop a more suitable
approach for addressing these concerns as a consequence
of a study to be conducted in the light of some
morphological, statistical and karyological methods. In
this respect, this study will also make a contribution to
the Mammalia fauna in Iran.
Materials and Methods
In addition to field observations, skins, skulls and
karyotype preparations belonging to 180 specimens
collected from 24 localities in west and east Iran between
1998 and 2000 were used. The numbers on the map and
in parantheses in the distribution section show the
localities. All specimens collected from each locality were
skinned and their standard external measurements (total
length, hindfoot, tail, weight) obtained. Additionally, the
sex, testis, uterus, breast-feeding, and, if present, the
embryo number, and the catching altitude for each
specimen were recorded. The karyotype analysis was
performed according to the cochicine-hypotonic-citrate
technique of Ford and Hamerton (1956). At least 30
metaphase plates of each specimen were examined with a
X100 immersion objective. Photographs of the
metaphase plates were taken in order to determine 2n
(diploid number of chromosome) and NF (fundamental
numbers of chromosomal arms), and NFa (autosomal
chromosome numbers). On each skull, a total of 35
characters, some of which are mentioned in the literature
(Thomas, 1897; Ellerman, 1948; Ognev, 1950; Eitemad,
1979; Harrison and Bates, 1991), were measured by
compasses or micrometer. Some of the necessary or
different measurements from these calculations are
listed. The age determination of all specimens was carried
out to eliminate the variations depending on age, and the
specimens were divided into 2 age groups: mature and
immature. The female and male specimens were used
together in the assessments due to the fact that there
was no remarkable statistical difference between the
sexes. The findings are given in a diagnostic key, map,
figures and tables.
Results
Ellobius Fischer, 1814,
1814. Ellobius Fischer, Zoognosia, 3: 72, Mus
talpinus Pallas.
Fischer (1814) took into account the Mus talpinus
described by Pallas in 1770 as a type genus while
establishing the genus Ellobius. At the end of this study,
it was observed that 3 species, namely, Ellobius
fuscocapillus (Blyth, 1843), Ellobius lutescens Thomas,
1897 and Ellobius talpinus (Pallas, 1770), belonging to
Ellobius had a distribution in Iran.
Key to Ellobius species in Iran
1 (2) There is no laceration in the upper lip, the
parietals have a protuberance in the middle part, the
interparietal is absent,
2 (1) The dorsal side of the body is grayish brown, the
dorsal of the tail is the same as the color of its back, the
point part is flat, the prolongations formed by the
premaxillar bones towards frontals pass through the
posterior of the nasal bone, and in the ventral, it is the
same level as the posterior of the incisive foramen. The
coronoid process is rather large, and curved towards the
angular process. The number of the diploid chromosome
is 2n = 17 (NF = 34, NFa = 32)…………... E. lutescens
3 (4) There is a laceration in the middle of the upper
lip, the parietals do not have a protuberance in the middle
part, and the interparietal is absent.
4 (3) The dorsal side of the body is light brown, and
it forms a dark brown area towards the tail. The dorsal
A Study on the Morphology, Karyology and Distribution of Ellobius Fisher, 1814 (Mammalia: Rodentia) in Iran
282
colon of the tail is a little lighter than the back, and it has
some long hairs towards the point. The prolongations
formed by the premaxillar bones towards frontals extend
beyond the posterior of the nasal bone; in the ventral, it
is the same level the posterior of the incisive foramen.
The coronoid process is rather large, and is sickle shaped.
The number of the diploid chromosome is 2n = 36 (NF =
58, NFa = 54) ………………………… E. fuscocapillus.
5 (6) There is a laceration in the middle of the upper
lip, the parietals do not have a protuberance in the middle
side, and the interparietal is present.
6 (5) The dorsal side of the body is reddish brown,
the tail is thin and long, the dorsal and ventral are white,
the premaxillar bones do not extend towards the frontals
and end in the alignment of the nasal bone. It continues
towards the middle of the incisive foramen in the ventral.
The number of the diploid chromosome is 2n = 52 (NF =
52, NFa = 50)………………………….…..… E. talpinus
Ellobius fuscocapillus (Blyth, 1843) (Southern
Mole–Vole)
1842. Georychus fuscocapillus Blyth, J. Asiat. Soc.
Bengal, 10: 928, nom. nud., Ellobius fuscocapillus Asiat.
Soc. Bengal, I, 1: 887, 1843. (Southern Mole-Vole).
Type locality: Quetta, Belucistan
Distribution: The distribution in Iran is given in Fig. 1.
Number of examined specimens: 39
Gorgan (1): Allabad, 3; Gonbed Kabus, 3; Bojnord
(2): Bojnord, 4; Bedranlu, 2; Shirvan (3): Bigan, 3;
Kulanlu, 2; Kuçhan (4): Palpanlu, 2; Derregez (5):
Chelmir, 3; Meshhed (6): Zeshek, 4; Tegiabad, 2; Seraks
(8): fiurlek, 4; Torbatejam (9): Kalagek, 3; Birjend (10):
Birjend, 4.
Habitat: This species is distributed in every kind of
agricultural area, openlands and steppe areas (except for
some places between 600 and 2200 m), sharp slopes,
M. MORADI GHARKHELOO, E. KIVANÇ
283
Caspian Sea
Turkmenistan
Afghanistan
Armenia
Pakistan
Turkey
Azerbaijan
Iran
0 100 200 km
Saudi Arabian
Iraq
1
3
2 5
19
12
6
4
13
7 8
9
10
23
22
11
14
18
17
15 16 2021 24
Persian Gulf
Figure 1. The distribution of Ellobius species in Iran. Ellobius fuscocapillus (▲), Ellobius lutescens (●),
Ellobius talpinus (■). 1- Gordan, 2- Bojunord, 3- fiirvan, 4- Kuçhan, 5- Deregez, 6- Meflhed, 7,8-
Seraks, 9- Torbatejan, 10- Birjend, 11- Isfehan, 12- Erak, 13- Hemedan, 14- Bokan, 15- Sekk›z,
16- Takap, 17- Nekede, 18- Tebriz, 19- Bijar, 20- Zencan, 21- Hürremdere, 22- Abhar, 23-
Takistan, 24- Kazvin.
and places subject to floods. It is observed that it has an
intensive distribution in the clover fields among
agricultural areas.
The External Characteristics: The body is rather
large. There is a laceration in the middle of the upper lip.
There is black shading on the face like a mask that starts
from the 2 sides of the nose and goes onto the ear
opening as well as continuing from the cheeks toward the
upper side of the head. It is observed that the color of this
mask can vary according the season. For example, it is
dark gray in summer, and lighter gray in winter. The
dorsal color of the adults is generally light brown, the
sides are yellowish brown, and the abdomen region is offwhite. This color is a little lighter in the subadult
specimens. The dorsal color is a darker brown on the tail.
The color of the tail is closer to that of the back in the
dorsal and to that of the abdomen in the ventral.
Moreover, some spots may be seen in the abdomen
regions of some specimens. One fourth of the body hairs,
starting from the point side, are light brown and the
bottom sides are dark gray. The soles of the fore and
hind feet of the specimens are naked and the upper sides
are covered by white hairs. There is no color difference
between the specimens in terms of their sex. The color of
the young specimens is comparably lighter than that of
the old ones.
The Cranial Characteristics: The prolongation
posterior end of the premaxillar bones always extends
beyond the posterior of the nasal bones in all specimens
(Fig. 2a) The prolongation of the premaxillar bones in the
ventral is the same level as the posterior of the incisive
foramen (Fig. 2b).
The paroccipital prolongations are rather larger than
in the other 2 species. The parietal bones are longer due
to the absence of the interparietal bone. The sagittal crest
does not exist in the young or adult specimens. The
sagittal crest is weakly developed in the older specimens.
The zygomatic arch springs are thicker and broader than
in the other 2 species. Its braincase is vast as well. The
lamboid crest is developed in male specimens. The incisive
foramen is short (Table 1).
The external and cranial characteristic measurements
are given in Table 1.
Teeth: The upper incisors are pro-odont and white.
The roots in the molars do not exist in the young
specimens but do in the old ones. There are 3 triangles in
the labial and lingual of the first and second upper
molars. However, the lingual re-entrant among the first
and second triangles of M2 is rather deep. Three triangles
exist in the labial of the third upper molar and another
two triangles in the lingual. However, the re-entrant
among the first and the second triangles is rather
superficial. An examination of the third molar of 29
specimens showed that it has variations. Four triangles
exist in the labial of the first lower molars and another 3
triangles in the lingual. Both the labial and lingual of the
second and third lower molars have 3 triangles (Fig. 3).
A Study on the Morphology, Karyology and Distribution of Ellobius Fisher, 1814 (Mammalia: Rodentia) in Iran
284
Figure 2. The posterior (a) and anterior (b) view of premaxillar bones of E. fuscocapillus, X 0.5 cm.
Karyology: Diploid chromosome number is 2n = 36,
the number of autosomal arms is NFa = 54, and the
fundamental number is NF = 58. The X chromosome is
middle-sized submetacentric, and the Y chromosome is
subtelocentric. The autosomal set can be divided into 3
groups: 6-pairs metacentrics, 4-pairs submetacentric, and
7-pairs subtelocentric (Fig. 4).
Ellobius lutescens Thomas, 1897. (Western MoleVole)
1897. Ellobius lutescens Thomas, Ann. Mag. N. H.
20: 308.
Type locality: Van, Eastern Asia Minor.
Distribution: The distribution in Iran is given in Figure
1.
Number of examined specimens: 140
Isfahan (11): Zerinflehir, 3; Necefabad, 2; fiehrikord,
2; Erak (12): fiazend, 4; Kam›n, 3; Hemedan (13):
Aseabad, 4; Alisedir, 2; Bokan (14): Bokan, 4; Sekk›z
(15): Sekk›z, 4; Takap (16): Karaklu, 4; Dorbafl, 3;
O¤ulbey, 2; Bijar: Halep, 4; Hoflmekan, 2; Sebil, 2; Kotan,
3; Nereke (17): 4; Tebriz (18): Nezerebad, 5; Bijar (19):
M. MORADI GHARKHELOO, E. KIVANÇ
285
Table 1. External and cranial measurements of Ellobius fuscocapillus. (n: number of specimens, ±SD: standard deviation)
Characters (mm) n Mean Range ± SD
Total length 32 126.36 106-145 7.93
Tail 32 10.27 9-14 1.07
Hind foot 32 22.25 20-24 1.02
Weight (g) 32 52.21 32-88.2 13.34
Greatest length of skull 32 33.42 30.6-36.4 1.66
Condylonasal length 32 29.13 27.3-35.4 1.58
Condylobasal length 32 29.19 28-34.4 1.98
Nasal length 32 8.16 7-11.5 0.84
Nasal breadth 32 3.12 2.5-3.6 0.31
Length of braincase 32 11.42 10.9-12.5 0.32
Height of braincase from bulla 32 10.51 9.8-11.2 0.24
Upper toothrow (from crown) 32 7.57 5.5-8.5 0.48
Upper toothrow (from alveoli) 32 7.38 6.5-9.3 0.73
Diastema 32 12.4 10.2-14.78 1.52
Length of facial region 32 19.47 18.6-22.6 0.77
Zygomatic breadth 32 22.45 19.6-28.4 1.80
Occipitonasal length 32 28.15 26.7-33.4 1.34
Basilar length 32 27.81 26.2-32.8 1.31
Tympanic bulla length 32 8.31 7-9.5 0.62
Tympanic bulla breadth 32 4.82 3.8-5.9 0.66
Incisive foramen length 32 2.34 2-2.8 0.21
Incisive foramen breadth 32 0.52 0.5-0.7 0.08
Interorbital constriction 32 5.8 4.9-6.5 0.33
Rostrum breadth 32 5.18 4.4-5.9 0.42
Length of palate 32 7.09 6.4-7.9 0.36
Parietal length 32 8.82 8.2-10 0.37
Posterior breadth of parietal 32 7.37 6.8-8.5 0.37
Anterior breadth of parietal 32 4.58 4.2-5.2 0.27
Length lower toothrow (from crown) 32 7.68 7-9 0.48
Length lower toothrow (from alveoli) 32 8.53 7.8-9.4 0.44
Mandible height 32 4.77 3.5-5.8 0.46
Height of coronoid process 32 11.79 10.2-15.2 1.03
Angular length 32 23.44 21.4-29.4 1.94
Articular length 32 23.72 20.9-29.8 2.06
Alveolar length 32 22.86 21-26.7 1.71
Karaçemen, 3; Zencan (20): Papai, 10; Dendi, 5; Icrod, 7;
Yengece, 4; Zencan University campus, 18; K›dar: K›dar,
4; Sultaniye, 3; Hürremdere (21): Hürremdere, 4; Nermi,
4; Abhar (22): Abhar, 4; Say›nkala, 2; Takistan (23):
Takistan, 4; Germab, 4; Kazvin (24): Elemut, 4;
Hasanabad, 3.
Habitat: This species can show a distribution in every
kind of agricultural area, open lands and steppe areas
(except for some places between 600 and 1800 m),
sharp slopes, and places subject to floods. However, some
mounds can be seen in sloped surfaces in addition to flat
areas due to the existence of the Zagrus, Elbroz and
Kaflan mountains in the region. The plant cover is not
rich owing to the fact that the distribution area is covered
by snow for 5-6 months a year. It is possible to see for
more mounds in the high regions in spring and summer
as well as in the lower regions in winter.
The External Characteristics: The body size of E.
lutescens is smaller than that of E. fuscocapillus and
larger than that of E. talpinus. There is no laceration in
the upper lip for all specimens, and they are in an
integrated position. The mask-shaped structure in the
face is dark gray, showing a similarity with the structure
of talpinus. The dorsal of the body is grayish brown, and
it forms a light grayish brown area in the abdomen region
by becoming gradually lighter towards the same region.
There are some white and at most two 1-cm spots on the
abdomen region of some of the specimens. The hairs
A Study on the Morphology, Karyology and Distribution of Ellobius Fisher, 1814 (Mammalia: Rodentia) in Iran
286
1
2
3
1
2 3 1 2
Lin. Lab.
1 2 3
3
4
1
2
3
2
1
1
1
2 3
1
2 3
3
3
1 2
3 3
1
1 2
2
1 mm
Post. Post.
Ant.
Ant.
Lab. Lin.
M1
M
1
M2
M3 M3
M
2 2
Figure 3. Upper and lower molars of Ellobius fuscocapillus. 1, 2, 3, 4:
Triangles; Lin.: Lingual; Lab.: Labial; Ant.: Anterior; Post.:
Posterior.
Figure 4. Metaphase plate (a) and karyotype (b) of a male specimen of
E. fuscocapillus.
forming the fur are rather soft. One fourth of the hairs
are gray or brown, and their bottoms are dark gray. The
fore and hind feet are naked and the dorsal sides are
covered by white hairs. The dorsal of the tail is similar in
color to the back, the tail side is thin, and its anterior
blunt. There is no sexual difference in the adult
specimens. However, the color of the young specimens is
lighter.
Cranial Characteristics: The prolongations of
premaxillar bones towards the frontal ones extend
beyond the posterior of the nasal bone. The prolongation
of the premaxillar bones in the ventral is the same level
as the posterior of the incisive foramen (Fig. 5). The
parietal bones form a protuberance in the middle side.
This protuberance looks like a triangle from the dorsal
and looks like a dome in the old specimens. There is no
sagittal crest.
The zygomatic arch shows a similarity with
fuscocapillus. Angular process is larger than in the other
2 species. Coronoid process is rather large and sloped
towards the angular process. The incisive foramen is
larger than that of fuscocapillus (Fig. 2).
The external and cranial characteristic measurements
are given in Table 2.
Teeth: The upper incisors are pro-odont and white.
There is no root in the molars of the young specimens but
2 roots exist in adult ones. The first and second upper
molars have 3 triangles in the lingual and labials.
However, the re-entrant among the first and the second
triangles in the lingual is more superficial. The third upper
molar and lower molars are very similar with those of
fuscocapillus (Fig. 6).
Karyology: Diploid chrosomosome number is 2n =
17, the number of autosomal arms is NFa = 32, and the
fundamental number is NF = 34. There is a pair of
metacentric chromosomes, and the others are
submetacentric. Sexual chromosomes are not clear in this
species. Therefore, as stated by Vogel et al. (1988), the
ninth chromosome was evaluated as an X chromosome
(Fig. 7).
Ellobius talpinus (Pallas, 1770) (Northern MoleVole)
1770. Mus talpinus Pallas, Nov. Comm. Acad
Petrop.14, I: 568.
Type locality: West of Volga River, Kostytchi, Russia.
Distribution: The distribution in Iran is given in Figure
1.
Number of examined specimens: 1
Seraks (7): Seraks, 1.
Habitat: It is observed that this species shares the
same area as E. fuscocapillus, i.e. it has a sympatric
distribution.
M. MORADI GHARKHELOO, E. KIVANÇ
287
1
2
3
1
2
3
1
2
Lin. Lab.
1 2
3
4 3
1
2 3
2
1
1 1
2 3 1 2
3
3
1 2
3 3
1 2
1
2
1 mm
Post. Post.
Ant. Ant.
Lin. Lab.
M1 M1
M2
M3
M
2 2
1
M3
3
Figure 5. The posterior (a) and anterior (b) view of premaxillar bones
of E. lutescens, X 0.5 cm.
Figure 6. The upper and lower molars of E. lutescens. 1, 2, 3, 4:
Triangles; Lin.: Lingual; Lab.: Labial; Ant.: Anterior; Post.:
Posterior.
The External Characteristics: The body is rather
large in comparision with the other 2 species. There is a
laceration in the middle of the upper lip. There is a dark
gray shading on the face like a mask that starts from the
2 sides of the nose and goes onto the ear hole as well as
continuing from the cheeks towards the upper side of the
head. This region is darker than fuscocapillus. The dorsal
of the body is slightly reddish brown, the sides are yellow,
and the abdomen region is off-white. The color of the
back is the same as that of the dorsal in the tail. The tail
is thin, long, and white in the dorsal and ventral. The
soles of the fore and hind feet are naked, and the dorsal
sides are covered by colored hair.
Cranial Characteristics: The premaxillar bones do
not form an prolongation towards the frontal bones, and
its posterior end is the same level as the nasal bone (Fig.
8).
The premaxillar bones reach about the middle of the
incisive foramen in the ventral. There is an interparietal
bone. The zygomatic arch is slender. The incisive foramen
is long (Table 3)
The external and cranial characteristic measurements
are given in Table 3.
Teeth: The upper incisors of talpinus are pro-odont
and white. M1 of talpinus is similar in form to M1 of
A Study on the Morphology, Karyology and Distribution of Ellobius Fisher, 1814 (Mammalia: Rodentia) in Iran
288
Table 2. External and cranial measurements of Ellobius lutescens. (n: number of specimens, ± SD: standard deviation)
Characters (mm) n Mean Range ± SD
Total length 99 125.74 100-140 7.76
Tail 99 13.37 9-19 3.63
Hind foot 99 22.31 17-26 1.71
Weight (g) 99 62.05 24.8-81 50.71
Greatest length of skull 99 33.09 28.8-35.6 1.15
Condylonasal length 99 31.24 22.1-31.6 26.27
Condylobasal length 99 28.34 22-30.9 1.15
Nasal length 99 8.84 7.5-10.2 0.51
Nasal breadth 99 3.69 2.8-3.8 3.06
Length of braincase 99 10.97 9.2-12.2 0.45
Height of braincase from bulla 99 11.03 9.2-12.2 0.48
Upper toothrow (from crown) 99 6.89 6.2-8.8 0.42
Upper toothrow (from alveoli) 99 7.8 6.7-8.6 0.34
Diastema 99 11.44 9.7-12.8 0.52
Length of facial region 99 18.4 15.3-20.4 0.81
Zygomatic breadth 99 22.35 19.3-22.6 1.09
Occipitonasal length 99 27.68 21.9-30.3 1.43
Basilar length 99 26.82 20.8-29.3 1.14
Tympanic bulla length 99 7.87 7.2-8.9 0.34
Tympanic bulla breadth 99 5.61 4.9-6.8 0.34
Incisive foramen length 99 2.37 1.9-3 0.17
Incisive foramen breadth 99 0.57 0.4-0.7 0.06
Interorbital constriction 99 6.74 5.7-6.9 5.99
Rostrum breadth 99 5.81 5-6.6 0.59
Length of palate 99 7.37 5.9-8.8 0.52
Parietal length 99 8.42 6-9.4 0.36
Posterior breadth of parietal 99 7.54 5.5-8.8 0.56
Anterior breadth of parietal 99 6.13 4.4-7.8 0.76
Lower toothrow length (from crown) 99 6.78 5.6-7.8 0.34
Lower toothrow length (from alveoli) 99 7.75 6.9-8.3 0.31
Mandible height 99 5.45 4.4-5.7 5.01
Height of coronoid process 99 11.42 7.2-13 0.82
Angular length 99 22.14 20-24.6 0.83
Articular length 99 22.76 20.4-27.8 0.93
Alveolar length 99 22.25 19.6-24.6 0.83
fuscocapillus. However, the re-entrant is among the first
and the second triangles in M2 lingual of fuscocapillus,
whereas this re-entrant disappears in talpinus and there
are 3 triangles in 2 labials of its lingual. There is 1
triangle in both the labial and lingual of M3 of E. talpinus.
If the region towards the posterior is not taken into
account, there is 1 triangles in both the labial and lingual
of M3 of E. talpinus (Fig. 9).
Karyology: Diploid chromosome number is 2n = 52,
the number of autosomal arms is NFa = 50, and the
fundamental number is NF = 52. All chromosomes are
completely acrocentric. Only the Y chromosome has a
position that can be evaluated subtelocentrically (Fig. 10).
Discussion
Ellobius fuscocapillus (Blyth, 1843)
Blyth (1843), Ognev (1950), Lay (1967), Eitemed
(1979) and Harrison and Bates (1991) stated that there
is a region like a black mask reaching the upper side of
the head from the cheek region that starts at the nasal
pads in E. fuscocapillus, and the color of the dorsal part
in the body is light brown, the side parts are yellowish
M. MORADI GHARKHELOO, E. KIVANÇ
289
Figure 7. Metaphase plate (a) and karyotype (b) of a male specimen of
E. lutescens.
Figure 8. The posterior (a) and anterior (b) view of premaxillar bones
of E. talpinus, X 0.5 cm.
Table 3. External and cranial measurements of Ellobius talpinus. (n:
number of specimens)
Characters (mm) n Measurements
Total length 1 105
Tail 1 9.0
Hind foot 1 23
Weight (g) 1 35
Greatest length of skull 1 29.5
Condylonasal length 1 25.6
Condylobasal length 1 25.0
Nasal length 1 7.85
Nasal breadth 1 3.0
Length of braincase 1 10
Height of braincase from bulla 1 10.6
Upper toothrow (from crown) 1 6.35
Upper toothrow (from alveoli) 1 6.5
Diastema 1 9.3
Length of facial region 1 17.4
Zygomatic breadth 1 19.94
Occipitonasal length 1 24.12
Basilar length 1 23.8
Tympanic bulla length 1 7.5
Tympanic bulla breadth 1 4.5
Incisive foramen length 1 2.7
Incisive foramen breadth 1 1.0
Interorbital constriction 1 5.34
Rostrum breadth 1 4.65
Length of palate 1 6.5
Parietal length 1 7.9
Posterior breadth of parietal 1 7.4
Anterior breadth of parietal 1 5.75
Length lower toothrow (from crown) 1 6.05
Length lower toothrow (from alveoli) 1 6.75
Mandible height 1 4.0
Height of coronoid process 1 10.3
Angular length 1 20.0
Articular length 1 18.5
Alveolar length 1 18.2
brown, and the abdomen region is off-white. Our findings
are consistent with those of the authors mentioned above
except for the different color description we observed.
Ellerman (1948) gave some measurements in his study
on specimens of fuscocapillus in Baluchistan, and
Karatkana (Afghanistan), such as occipitonasal length
30.7-33.2 mm, lower molar length 7.6-8 mm (7.7 mm),
total length 118-143 mm (130 mm), tail 12-13 mm (12
mm), and hind foot 20-21 mm (20 mm). Comparing
these measurements with those of fuscocapillus
specimens in Iran, it was observed that they were not
different from each other. Ognev (1950) gave the
diastema length as 10.2–14.9 mm (12.55 mm). In
contrast, Eitemad (1979) gave the same length as 11-
14.6 mm (12.8 mm). Storch (1980) gave the length of
the lower molars as 8.2-9.3 mm (8.75 mm), and the
length of the diastema as 10.7–14.9 mm (12.2 mm).
Harrison and Bates (1991) recorded the length of the
lower molars as 6.6-8.2 mm (7.6 mm). Comparing these
measurements recorded with those from specimens
collected in this these study, it is observed that these
measurements are consistent (Table 1), but the lower
molar length stated by Harrison and Bates (1991) is
slightly smaller. Harrison and Bates (1991) did not
record which measures based on specimens from 10
localities belonged to which age group, and did not
mention the locality of the specimens. Harrison and Bates
(1991) recorded that only one specimen, E. fuscocapillus,
showed a distribution all over Iran. However, this study
proves that 3 specimens have a distribution all over Iran.
For this reason, it may be thought that the reason for the
differences in measurements is the vagueness of the age
group and a probable mistake in the diagnosis of the
specimens evaluated by Harrison and Bates. Borisov et al.
(1991) recorded the diploid chromosome number in
fuscocapillus as 2n = 36. In the first karyological study on
the specimens in Iran in connection with this study, it is
observed that the diploid chromosome number from 9
localities in eastern Iran is 2n = 36. Therefore, the fact
that E. fuscocapillus has a distribution in the eastern
regions of Iran (Fig. 1) is also proved from the
karyological point of view. Although the difference
observed between lutescens and talpinus does not show a
certain distinction according to the measurements, it is a
scientific reality that there will be a coincidence in the
different measurements belonging to various groups in
the specimen population, ecological differences etc.
Considering these scientific realities, all the
A Study on the Morphology, Karyology and Distribution of Ellobius Fisher, 1814 (Mammalia: Rodentia) in Iran
290
1 2
3 1 2
3
1
2
Lin. Lab.
1 2 3 3
4
2 3 1
2
1
1
1
2 3 2
3 2
1
1 3
2
2
1 mm
Post.
Post.
Ant. Ant.
Lab.
Lin.
M1
M
1
M2
M3
M
2
2
1
M
3
3
1
Figure 9. The upper and lower molars of E. talpinus. 1, 2, 3, 4:
Triangles; Lin.: Lingual; Lab.: Labial; Ant.: Anterior; Post.:
Posterior.
Figure 10. Metaphase plate (a) and karyotype (b) of a male specimen
of E. talpinus.
measurements obtained distinguish the 2 specimens
generally (Tables 1,2,3).
Ellobius lutescens Thomas, 1897
Ellerman (1948), Thomas (1897), Ellerman and
Morrison-Scott (1951), Eitemad (1979) and Coflkun
(1997) recorded that there is a black mask in the facial
region of lutescens, the color of the dorsal region of the
body is gray brown, the sides are light brown, one fourth
of the hairs are gray or brown, and the bottom sides are
light in color. It is observed that 99 adult specimens
collected from 14 localities in central and western Iran
are consistent with the characteristics mentioned by these
researchers. It is also observed that there are some white
spots in the breast region of some specimens, and no
laceration on the upper lip. Vinogradov and Argiropulo
(1914), and Ellerman and Morrison-Scott (1951)
recorded that the interparietal bone does not exist in
lutescens, there is no sagittal crest, and there are 3
triangles in the M3 labial and in the lingual. These
recorded characteristics have been found in all lutescens
specimens examined in this study. Coflkun (1997) and
Borisov et al. (1991) found that the diploid chromosome
number in lutescens is 2n = 17 and the arm number of
autosomal chromosomes is NFa = 34. It is observed that
the karyological characteristics found as a result of the
karyological studies in the specimens collected from 14
localities in central and western Iran are consistent with
the karyological characteristics given in the literature.
Ellobius talpinus (Pallas, 1770)
Ognev (1950) recorded that the body is smaller than
that of other species in E. t. talpinus, the dorsal color is
light brown, and the mask shaped structure in the facial
region is dark brown/black. Furthermore, the abdomen
region is yellowish, there is a 15-30% variation in the
body color of the population belonging to the nominal
subspecies, the premaxillar bones are aligned with the
posterior of the nasal bones in the dorsal, and the incisive
foramen is long. A comparison of the morphological
features of our specimens with the characteristics
recorded by Ognev shows that the features are consistent
apart from those related to the color, and there is no
certain difference due to the fact that color might be
involved in the determined lines. Comparing the
measurements of the specimens in this study, it is
observed that they are the same in terms of the length of
the skull, nasal length, comparable length of the upper
molars to that of the alveolus, height of the skull, and
diastema measures, and that they are small in terms of
the greatest length of the skull, the condylobasal length,
interorbital breadth, zygomatic breadth, breadth of the
braincase, and total length measurement. It is observed
that the only one specimen collected in this study is
karyologically talpinus. This species may belong to a
subspecies different from the nominal form, and may be
involved in the measurements to be redetermined when a
study based on more specimens is conducted.
M. MORADI GHARKHELOO, E. KIVANÇ
291
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