Turkish Journal of Zoology Turk J Zool (2016) 40: 73-79 http://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/zoology/ © TÜBİTAK Research Article doi:10.3906/zoo-1404-19 A new species of voles, Microtus elbeyli sp. nov., from Turkey with taxonomic overview of social voles distributed in southeastern Anatolia 1 1 2 Nuri YİĞİT , Ercüment ÇOLAK , Mustafa SÖZEN 1 Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey 2 Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Bülent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Turkey Received: 10.04.2015 Accepted/Published Online: 05.09.2015 Final Version: 01.01.2016 Abstract: There are twelve Microtus species in Turkey and two of them are endemic to the steppic central Anatolian plateau. In this study, previously collected specimens that were recorded as Microtus irani from southeastern Turkey were reevaluated by karyologically comparing different species distributed throughout southeastern Turkey. The taxonomic status of this species was raised to a new species, Microtus elbeyli sp. nov., which has dark ochreous dorsal color, agrestis morphotype in M2, and 2n = 46, NF = 50, NFa = 46 karyotype. The new species described here raises the total number of Microtus species in Turkey to 13 and endemic vole species in Anatolia to three. Key words: Microtus elbeyli, taxonomy, morphology, distribution, new species, Turkey 1. Introduction record of M. irani by Çolak et al. (1997), another diploid Voles in the genus Microtus were represented by 12 species chromosome number (2n = 60) for the same species was in Turkey (Yiğit et al., 2006b; Kryštufek and Vohralík, reported from southern Turkey by Kryštufek et al. (2009). 2009). Two of these species are endemic to Turkey and Up to now, species of social voles distributed in distributed mainly in Central Anatolia and the inner region southeastern Turkey have remained doubtful, especially of Antalya Province in Mediterranean Anatolia (Kryštufek for M. cfr. irani with 2n = 46 (Çolak et al., 1997; Kryštufek and Kefelioğlu, 1999, 2001b; Yiğit et al., 2006b; Yavuz et and Kefelioğlu, 2001b; Kryštufek et al., 2009; 2010). al., 2009, 2011; Şekeroğlu et al., 2011). Three out of these The aim of the present research is to reevaluate 12 vole species are distributed throughout southeastern specimens previously recorded as M. cfr. irani by Çolak Anatolia and close localities in Syria including M. socialis, et al. (1997) based on its morphological and karyological features and to clarify the taxonomic status of these M. guentheri, and M. irani (Çolak et al., 1997; Shebab and specimens. Cherabi, 2006; Yiğit et al., 2006a). Microtus irani Thomas, 1921 was originally described 2. Materials and methods from Shiraz (Iran) and was also recorded from several Large numbers of social vole specimens were collected localities in eastern Turkey (Kock et al., 1972; Morlok, from Anatolia, including southeastern Turkey, between 1978; Kock and Nader, 1983). More recently Çolak et 1993 and 2012. The specimens from the southeastern and al. (1997) recorded M. cfr. irani (2n = 46) from Kilis in eastern parts of Anatolia were taken under evaluation southeastern Turkey, and the type series of M. irani from in order to solve taxonomical problems. The sampling Shiraz (Iran) was redescribed and the differences between localities are shown in Figure 1. Apart from the specimens the type series and western Iranian specimens were from southeastern Turkey, the specimens from Muş pointed out by comparing western Iranian and Turkish Province were taken into consideration in order to specimens by Kryštufek and Kefelioğlu (2001). compare them with the specimens from southeastern The diploid numbers of chromosomes of M. irani Anatolia. The specimens were karyotyped to confirm were reported to be from 2n = 60 to 64 by Zima and Kral species identification; thus, specimens were karyologically (1984) and 2n = 62 by Golenishchev et al. (2002). After the identified and were assigned to taxa as follows: * Correspondence: [email protected] 73 YİĞİT et al. / Turk J Zool Microtus socialis, 2n = 62 (Muş Province), Type locality: 1 km NW of Karacaören village of Kilis Microtus guentheri, 2n = 54 (type locality, Türkoğlu/ Province in southeastern Turkey. Kahramanmaraş), Diagnosis: External measurements (mm) and weight Microtus cfr. irani, 2n = 60 (this species was previously (g) of holotype; TbL = 135, TL = 21, HfL = 18, EL = 12, and recorded from Ermenek town by Kryštufek et al. (2009) W = 36. Some cranial measurements (mm) of holotype: and was recorded from Mardin Province in the present occipitonasal length is 27.6, zygomatic breadth 16.5, basal study; see Figure 1), length 25, nasal length 7.7, width of braincase 12.16, Microtus sp. with 2n = 46 (Kilis Province). height of braincase with bullae 10.4, diastema length 9.0, We examined five specimens of M. socialis, ten of M. guentheri, three of M. irani, and fifteen of the 2n = 46 form palatal length 14.6, mandible length 16.86 (Table 1). The that were previously identified as M. cfr. irani by Çolak et dorsal color is generally ochreous and slightly paler on al. (1997). sides. Ventral fur is pale buff with dark gray bases. There The occlusal patterns of molar teeth were evaluated is a prominent delineation line between flanks and belly. according to Niethammer and Krapp (1982). The Upper and ventral hair of feet are pale buff. The skull is karyotype analysis was achieved by using the conventional slender with comparatively smooth brain case (Figure bone marrow technique. The external measurements 2). M2 in all specimens was found to be the agrestis were taken from fresh specimens in the field and from morphotype. The diploid number of chromosomes is 46 each skull in the laboratory with a caliper accurate to the with 50 chromosomal arms. nearest 0.05 mm. Abbreviations are as follows: TbL = total Etymology: Elbeyli is a town of Kilis Province where body length, TL = tail length, HfL = hindfoot length, EL = most of the specimens were collected. ear length, W = weight. The skins and skulls of specimens Description: The 15 examined specimens with 2n examined were deposited in the Biology Department at = 46 and ochreous dorsal color were captured from two Ankara University. different locations in southeastern Turkey (Figure 1). 3. Results and discussion However, the dorsal pelage was found to be exceptionally Microtus elbeyli sp. nov. dark brownish in a few specimens. The dorsal colors of Holotype: An adult male (collection number: 2919) our specimens were markedly different from M. guentheri held in the Zoology Museum of the Biology Department but slightly different from M. cfr. irani with 2n = 60 from at Ankara University. Mardin. The external and cranial measurements and some Figure 1. Record locations of the specimens evaluated: M. elbeyli (●10 km east of Kilis and ⦿ Elbeyli), M. cfr. irani (▲ Ermenek, ✸ Nusaybin), M. guentheri (■ Türkoğlu and △ Nemrut), M. socialis (□ Muş), M. irani (★ Shiraz/Iran). 74 YİĞİT et al. / Turk J Zool Table 1. Measurements of cranial and external characters of M. elbeyli sp. nov. (SD = standard deviation; n =number of specimens). 2919 ♂ Min–max n Mean ±SD Holotype Total length 135 120–150 11 135.91 8.34 Head and body length 114 97–120 11 110.36 6.38 Tail length 21 20–33 11 25.54 4.01 Hind foot length 18 13–20 11 18.27 1.85 Ear length 12 11–14 11 12.36 1.03 Weight (g) 36 23–36 11 30.64 4.48 Zygomatic breadth 16.5 14.35–18.08 12 16.07 1.13 Interorbital constriction 3.4 3.40–4.15 15 3.78 0.18 Condylobasal length 26.9 22.86–27.76 14 25.89 1.49 Occipitonasal length 27.6 25.28–29.50 14 27.58 1.14 Basal length 25 22.26–27.32 14 24.77 1.21 Nasal length 7.7 7.41–9.20 15 8.14 0.52 Nasal width 4.3 3.23–4.48 15 3.88 0.40 Length of facial region 16.6 13.83–17.25 15 15.60 1.07 Mastoid breadth 8 6.68–8.80 13 7.80 0.61 Skull height 8.3 7.67–9.32 14 8.35 0.49 Occipital width 13.6 11.65–13.60 14 12.78 0.56 Braincase width 12.16 10.82–12.59 14 11.68 0.62 Height of braincase with bullae 10.4 8.50–10.40 13 9.74 0.47 Rostral height 5.32 4.70–5.78 14 5.22 0.30 Diastema 9 7.08–9.40 15 8.26 0.69 Palatal length 14.6 12.64–14.92 15 14.24 0.63 Foramen incisivum 4.5 3.23–5.08 14 4.11 0.58 Tympanic bullae 8.5 7.05–8.50 13 7.72 0.40 Mandible 16.86 14.84–16.86 14 15.92 0.77 Maxillary tooth row 5.6 5.60–6.41 12 5.96 0.27 Mandibular tooth row 5.4 5.22–6.57 13 6.02 0.42 morphological structures of specimens were drawn and morphology are the main differences (Figure 2). The given in our previous work (Çolak et al., 1997). The skull braincase is smoother than those of M. guentheri and structures of these new specimens have some differences M. cfr. irani and is not shallow as in M. socialis. Apart from M. cfr. irani and M. guentheri. Even though the from these differences, the nasal area in M. guentheri is skull is similar to that of M. guentheri, the sharp slope of markedly bent down compared to the other two species. the supraoccipital region in the braincase and mandible The parietal bones of M. irani are narrow and exo-occipital 75 YİĞİT et al.