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Molecular typing revealed mono- or mixed infection with three main subtypes of TBEV in ticks and small mammals. The Siberian subtype was more common in ixodid ticks, and the FE subtype was more common in small mammals (p < 0.001). TBEV isolates of the European subtype were rare. TBEV infection among different species of small mammals did not correlate with their infestation rate with ticks in the Novosibirsk region, Russia.

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Phylogenetic relationships between zokors living in different territories of Russia: Altai zokors Myospalax myospalax from “Altai” (Altai Republic and Altaiskii Krai) and “Priobie” from the River Ob zone (Tomsk oblast and Novosibirsk oblast) and subspecies M. m. tarbagataicus from Kazakhstan (ridge Tarbagatai) and M. aspalax and M. psilurus from Zabaikalskii Krai were determined on the basis of craniometrical and molecular analysis of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene. The comparison of the craniometrical and molecular data revealed significant differences between the Altai zokors of the “Priobie” (the River Ob zone) and “Altai” populations. The importance of geographic isolation to the formation of morphometric and genetic differentiation of distinct geographic forms of the investigated zokors is shown. Specific ecological and morphological adaptations and distinct genetic features of two forms of zokors indicate the existence of separate subspecies of the species M. myospalax.

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Adult males of the water vole have been found experimentally to recognize their neighbors and react to them differently depending on the degree of spatial proximity in nature. Most tensions (estimated by the number of aggressive acts in the encounters) were observed between distant neighbors (from neighboring settlements), which did not belong to the same groups with established hierarchy and a relatively reduced aggression. These are probably perceived as the most likely competitors (because of their spatial proximity). At the same time, male voles kept away from the obviously unfamiliar ones, though they do not express any apparent aggression.