Taxonomical and Karyological Features of Microtus hartingi (Barrett-Hamilton, 1903) (Mammalia: Rodentia) with Some Biological and Ecological Features

Abstract

This study is based on 27 Microtus hartingi (Barrett-Hamilton, 190) specimens collected from Isparta province between March and September 2010. The specimens were caught by kill and live trapping and they were skinned and stuffed. Some behavioral features of the live sample fed in the laboratory condition were observed. Its karyotypical features were also determined. Specimens were divided into two age groups as juvenile and adult depending on molar wearing, the clearance of the sagittal crest in the skull, pregnancy and nursing status. Diagnostic characters, habitat, fur color, hair morphology, feeding and reproductive behavior, karyology, bacular features in all examined specimen were assessed. It was found that the diploid number (2n), the fundamental number (NF) and the number of autosomal arms (NFa) were 54, 56 and 52, respectively. Consequently, this species known as Microtus guentheri previously in Isparta was determined to be actually Microtus hartingi on the basis of data presented in this work.