Variation of Nucleolar Organizer Regions in Two 2n=48 Chromosomal Forms of Nannospalax nehringi (Satunin, 1898) (Rodentia: Spalacidae) from North-eastern Anatolia

Abstract

We describe the Ag-NOR distribution in two 2n=48 populations of blind mole rats of the genus Nannospalax from two localities (Caldiran and Asagisutasli) in the Van and Igdir Provinces in North-eastern Anatolia, Turkey. The karyotypes of the studied populations differed in the proportion of biarmed and acrocentric autosomes (NFa=64 and 68, respectively). The nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) occurred on four autosomal pairs in the Van population whereas only three NOR-bearing autosomal pairs were detected in the Igdir population. The karyotype of the individuals from the Igdir population was similar to the previously studied population from the Van-Erci Province. This similarity indicated that geographical barriers did not limit dispersal of the cytotype with NFa=68 chromosomal form in North-eastern Anatolia.