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Nannospalax
''Nannospalax'' is a genus of rodent in the family Spalacidae, found in eastern Europe and western Asia. It is one of two genera in the blind mole-rats (subfamily Spalacinae), alongside ''Spalax''. Members of this genus are also known as small-bodied mole-rats. As with members of the genus ''Spalax'', they are completely blind, with their eyes being entirely covered by skin. Taxonomy and evolution Until 2013, members of this genus were grouped in ''Spalax'', but phylogenetic analysis indicates that both diverged during the late Miocene, about 7.6 million years ago, when a marine barrier formed between Anatolia and the Balkans. It also supports two different subgenera within this genus; ''Nannospalax sensu stricto'' (containing a single species) and ''Mesospalax'', which diverged from each other during the late Miocene or early Pliocene, after the uplift of the Anatolian Plateau''.'' Members of this genus are notable for their extreme chromosomal diversity, some of which may ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Middle East Blind Mole-rat
The Middle East blind mole-rat (''Nannospalax ehrenbergi''), also known as the Palestine mole-rat or Ehrenberg's mole-rat, is a species of rodent in the family Spalacidae. Taxonomy It was formerly classified in the genus ''Spalax'', but more recent phylogenetic evidence supports it and two other species belonging to the genus ''Nannospalax''. Of the three ''Nannospalax'' species, ''N. ehrenbergi'' is the only one to also belong to the subgenus ''Nannospalax'' (unless the potential species within ''N. ehrenbergi'' are also considered their own species). The species name, ''ehrenbergi'', honors German naturalist Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg, who conducted significant research throughout the Middle East in the 19th century. Possible cryptic species Cytogenetic studies have shown ''N. ehrenbergi'' in Israel may actually be a species complex containing several cryptic species with chromosome numbers 2n=52, 2n=54, 2n=58 and 2n=60. Close to the 'border line' of the niche of each s ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Anatolian Blind Mole-rat
The Anatolian blind mole-rat or Nehring's blind mole-rat (''Nannospalax xanthodon'') is a species of rodent in the family Spalacidae. Taxonomy and evolution ''Nannospalax xanthodon'' was first described by Alexander von Nordmann in 1840, as ''Spalax typhlus xanthodon''. A junior synonym, ''nehringi'', has often been used for this species, and is sometimes used for a subspecies. The taxonomy of the genus ''Nannospalax'' is uncertain due to low morphological variation and high chromosomal variation, making it historically difficult to identify separate species within the genus. There are three genetically distinct subpopulations within ''Nannospalax xanthodon'', which may represent unidentified species due to the high genetic variation between them. For this reason, ''N. xanthodon'' is sometimes referred to as a "superspecies". As of 2016, 28 chromosomal "races" are known within ''N. xanthodon,'' which rarely hybridize''.'' Description The Anatolian blind mole-rate is a mediu ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lesser Blind Mole-rat
The lesser blind mole-rat (''Nannospalax leucodon'') is a species of rodent in the family Spalacidae. It is found in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, North Macedonia, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Montenegro, Turkey and Ukraine. Taxonomy Prior to 2012, it was classified in the genus ''Spalax'', but modern authors tend to separate this and some closely related mole rat species into a separate genus named '' Nannospalax''. A study of the dentition showed that ''Nannospalax leucodon'' is a superspecies consisting of several cryptic species that can be distinguished by the caries in their teeth. According to this definition there are four separate "cariological" forms in the Carpathian Basin, one of them endangered and another one vulnerable while insufficient data are available to evaluate the conservation status of the other two forms. Behavior and ecology Blind mole-rats are not in fact completely blind as they do possess simple eyes 1mm in di ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Blind Mole-rat
The blind mole-rats, also known as the fossorial or subterranean mole rats, are a subfamily (Spalacinae) of rodents in the family Spalacidae, found in eastern Europe and western and central Asia. The hystricognath mole-rats of the family Bathyergidae are completely unrelated, but some other forms are also in the family Spalacidae. Zokors (subfamily Myospalacinae), root rats, and bamboo rats (subfamily Rhizomyinae) are spalacids also sometimes referred to as mole rats. Blind mole-rats are in the family Spalacidae, but are unique enough to be given a separate subfamily, Spalacinae. Alternate opinions on taxonomy consider the blind mole-rats to be the only members of the family Spalacidae and rank other spalacid subfamilies as full families. Other authors group all members of the superfamily Muroidea into a single family, Muridae. The Spalacinae contains two genera and eight species. Some authorities treat all species as belonging to a single genus, ''Spalax'', but more recent ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Spalacidae
The Spalacidae, or spalacids, are a family of rodents in the large and complex superfamily Muroidea. They are native to eastern Asia, the Horn of Africa, the Middle East, and southeastern Europe. It includes the blind mole-rats, bamboo rats, mole-rats, and zokors. This family represents the oldest split (excluding perhaps the Platacanthomyidae) in the muroid superfamily, and comprises animals adapted to a subterranean way of life. These rodents were thought to have evolved adaptations to living underground independently until recent phylogenetic studies demonstrated they form a monophyletic group. Members of the Spalacidae are often placed in the family Muridae along with all other members of the Muroidea. Characteristics Spalacids are mouse- to rat-sized rodents, adapted to burrowing and living underground. They have short limbs, wedge-shaped skulls, strong neck muscles, large incisor teeth, and small eyes and external ears. In the zokors, which dig primarily with their ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Spalax
''Spalax'' is a genus of rodent in the family Spalacidae, subfamily Spalacinae (blind mole-rats). It is one of two extant genera in the subfamily Spalacinae, alongside '' Nannospalax''.'''' Species in this genus are found in eastern Europe and western & central Asia. They are completely blind and have a subterranean lifestyle. Taxonomy Prior to 2013, ''Spalax'' was widely considered the only member of Spalacinae, with all blind mole-rat species being grouped within it. However, phylogenetic and morphological evidence supported some of the species within it forming a distinct lineage that diverged from the others during the Late Miocene, when a marine barrier formed between Anatolia and the Balkans. These species were reclassified into the genus '' Nannospalax'', making ''Spalax'' one of two extant spalacine genera.'''' Species of genus ''Spalax'' * Mehely's blind mole-rat'', S. antiquus'' * Sandy blind mole-rat, ''S. arenarius'' * Giant blind mole-rat, ''S. giganteus'' * ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Judean Mountains Blind Mole-rat
Judea or Judaea (; ; , ; ) is a mountainous region of the Levant. Traditionally dominated by the city of Jerusalem, it is now part of Palestine and Israel. The name's usage is historic, having been used in antiquity and still into the present day; it originates from Yehudah, a Hebrew name. Yehudah was a son of Jacob, who was later given the name "Israel" and whose sons collectively headed the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Yehudah's progeny among the Israelites formed the Tribe of Judah, with whom the Kingdom of Judah is associated. Related nomenclature continued to be used under the rule of the Babylonians (the Yehud province), the Persians (the Yehud province), the Greeks (the Hasmonean Kingdom), and the Romans (the Herodian Kingdom and the Judaea province). Under the Hasmoneans, the Herodians, and the Romans, the term was applied to an area larger than Judea of earlier periods. In the aftermath of the Bar Kokhba revolt (c. 132–136 CE), the Roman province of Judaea was renam ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
