Comparison of the Morphometric Characteristics of Four Species of the Genus Microtus Schrank, 1798 (Mammalia: Rodentia) in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine and compare some morphometric characteristics of Microtus species occurring in the central Anatolia, Turkey. This study is based on 209 specimens of Microtus spp. collected the central Anatolia between 2003 and 2010. Some features concerning pelage coloration, cranial characters, tooth morphotype, and baculum morphology of the species were recorded to determine and evaluate their taxonomic characteristics. It was determined that four species of the genus Microtus occur in the study area, including Microtus dogramacii, Microtus guentheri, Microtus hartingi, and Microtus mystacinus. Microtus hartingi has been found to be widespread throughout central Anatolia. Microtus guentheri is located in the type locality and nearby provinces. M. guentheri and M. hartingi were not found to be sympatric. Among species, M. hartingi has the longest hind foot and M. mystacinus has the longest tail. The UPGMA trees were constructed for each sex, using skull and external measurements of Microtus specimens. As a result, M. dogramacii and M. guentheri being the most similar, and M. mystacinus is the sister species to these. But, it was determined that M. hartingi is distinctively from the these species.

Voles and Lemmings (Arvicolinae) of the Palaearctic Region

“…Feet are cream to light grey, ears are grey and the tail is bi-chromatic, yellowish-brown to dark brown above and dirty white below. The baculum is similar as in guentheri; the proximal bone measures 2.63 mm and has a broad base (width=1.48 mm) with a triangular posterior profile (Çolak et al 1997, Gözütok & Albayrak 2020). The skull is similar to hartingi; bullae tend to be longer and the skull is slightly shallower (Figure 325).…”

“…The proximal baculum is 2.48-3.18 mm long and 1.19-1.57 mm wide (Kıvanç 1978); length of distal baculum is 1.19 mm (central digit) and 1.00 mm (lateral digit; Golenishchev et al 2002). The bacular base is triangular with a prominent medial protuberance directed posteriorly (Yiğit & Colak 2002, Gözütok & Albayrak 2020. Dimensions (length×width) of the sperm head are 7.0-9.0 μm×4.9-5.6μm (Zorenko 2013).…”

“…Proximal baculum is 2.75 mm long and 1.43 mm wide across the base; Length of distal baculum is 1.09 mm and 1.04 mm for central and lateral digits, respectively (Zorenko 2013). The proximal baculum is smaller in coastal Anatolia (length×width=2.3×1.0 mm) and larger in Central Anatolia (2.9×1.5 mm; Yiğit & Colak 2002, Gözütok & Albayrak 2020. The base of baculum is rounded, occasionally with a medial notch on the posterior margin.…”

Diet of Adult Eagle Owl during Breeding Season in Northwestern Türkiye

“…Skulls, mandibles and other bones found in each pellet were separately placed in boxes for analyses. Species identification and biomass calculations of small mammals were carried out according to existing literature (Ellerman 1948, Osborn 1962, Vinogradov and Argiropulo 1968, Kryštufek and Vohralík 2001, 2005, 2009, Gözütok and Albayrak 2020) and the author's own collection of specimens. The avian species were identified according to Brown et al (2003).…”