The phylogeographical architecture of Spermophilus citellus is expected to shed light on the putative long-term presence of the steppic ecosystem in SE Europe. Among 31 cyt b haplotypes, three highly divergent phylogenetic lineages were recognized. The estimated time for the deepest divergence is 0.58 Mya, suggests the long-term persistence of a short-grass steppic refugium in the southern Balkans. The three phylogeographical lineages of the European ground squirrel should be regarded as independent units for conservation management purposes.
COBISS.SI-ID: 1584595
We carried out a phylogeographic study to provide a biogeographic scenario, based on molecular data, outlining the major processes that determined the current distribution of the European snow vole, a species with narrow habitat requirements and a patchy distribution. Our data retrived southern glacial refugia (Iberia, Balkans, Middle East and Italy) and one northern glacial refugium.
COBISS.SI-ID: 1702355
We studied intra- and interpopulation variability of eight microsatellite markers. Spatial analysis of genetic diversity pointed on significant fragmentation even in localities with relativelly high population densities. Populations in the Central and Southeastern lineages exhibited a significant isolation-by-distance pattern. Demographic history suggest that the long-term existence of the Martino’s vole might not be secure, even in populations that live in optimal habitats.
COBISS.SI-ID: 1791955
Martino’s vole is the only living member of the Tertiary genus Dinaromys, and probably also the only surviving member of the Pliomys lineage. The species shows all three attributes of rarity in accordance with Rabinowitz’s ‘seven forms of rarity’ model. Martino’s vole may be in competition with the European snow vole, which has a very similar morphology and presumably identical habitat requirements, but is shifted towards an r-selected life-history strategy. Long-term sympatry of these voles has probably resulted in competitive exclusion of the relatively K-selected Martino’s vole.
COBISS.SI-ID: 1436371
We performed the most inclusive phylogenetic analysis of Arvicolinae (Mammalia, Rodentia) to date, combining all published cytochrome b gene sequences of greater than 1097 bp and new sequences from two monotypic genera. Overall, the phylogenetic relationships between 69 species of voles and lemmings, representing 18 genera and 10 tribes, were studied. The two previously unstudied monotypic genera Dinaromys and Prometheomys form a moderately well-supported monophyletic clade, possibly a sister group to Ellobius.
COBISS.SI-ID: 1473235