Cytogenetic characterization of 23 species of rodents from Iran

Cytogenetic approaches are used in systematic studies implying differences between species and variation between populations. In this study, morphology of chromosomes and chromosome number of 210 specimens of 23 rodent species from different localities of Iran were investigated. Specimens belong to five families comprising Dipodidae (Allactaga elater (2n=48, FNa=92); A. williamsi (2n=48, FNa=92); A. tuossi (2n=48, FNa=92); A. euphratica (2n=48, FNa=92); A. hotsoni (2n=48, FNa=92); Jaculus jaculus (2n=48, FNa=88 and 92); Pygeretmus pumilio (2n=48, FNa= 82 to 92)), family Cricetidae (Microtus socialis (2n=62, FNa=60); M. qazvinensis (2n=54, FNa=52); M. transcaspicus (2n=52, FNa=50); M. levis (2n=54, FNa=52); M. paradoxus (2n=62, FNa=60); Ellobius talpinus (2n=54, FNa=52); E. fuscocapillus (2n=36, FNa=54); Cricetulus migratorius (2n 22, FNa=38 and 40); Mesocricetus brandti (2n=42, FNa=78)), family Gliridae (Dryomys nitedula (2n=48, FNa=84 to 90)), family Scuridae (Funambulus pennantii (2n=54, FNa=72); Spermophilus fulvus (2n=36, FNa=66)) and family Calomyscidae (Calomyscus grandis (2n 44, FNa=64); C. hotsoni (2n=50, FNa=48); C. elburzensis (2n=44, FNa=68, 70, 72 and 76); C. urartensis (2n=28, FNa=44)). In spite of intraspecific variation within some species like Calomyscus elburzensis, Cricetulus migratorius, Pygeretmus pumilio, Jaculus jaculus and Dryomys nitedula the results indicated constant chromosome number and fundamental number of chromosomes in the genus Allactaga from Iran.