A Study of The Taxonomy and Karyology of Meriones persicus (Blanford, 1875) (Mammalia: Rodentia) In Turkey

Authors

NURİ YİĞİT
ERCÜMENT ÇOLAK

DOI

-

Abstract

In this study, three live specimens captured around Oltu ( Erzurum ) were examined in terms of their morphological and karyological features. The diploid number of the chromosomes was 2n= 42, the fundamental number FN= 78 and the number of autosomal arms was FNa= 74. The X and Y chromosomes were both submetacentric in M. persicus. It was determined that the small white supraorbital spot found between the eyes and ears of the pelage, as well as karyological traits, distinguish Meriones persicus from Meriones tristrami. On the basis of morphological similarity, it was concluded that these taxa were sibling species.

Keywords

Meriones persicus, karyology, taxonomy, Turkey

First Page

269

Last Page

274

Recommended Citation

YİĞİT, NURİ and ÇOLAK, ERCÜMENT (1999) "A Study of The Taxonomy and Karyology of Meriones persicus (Blanford, 1875) (Mammalia: Rodentia) In Turkey," Turkish Journal of Zoology: Vol. 23: No. 3, Article 10. Available at: https://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/zoology/vol23/iss3/10