Karyotypic Variation of the Common Shrew (Sorex Avaneus) in European Russia: Preliminary Results

Abstract

Despite the fact that the common shrew occurs abundantly throughout European Russia, almost nothing is known about the karyotypic variation of the species in this important part of its geographic range. We present G‐band karyotypic data on seven samples from well separated sites. The race first described by ANISKIN and LUKIANOVA (1989) from one site near Moscow was confirmed. This ‘Moscow’ race (XX/XYIY1Y2af, bc, gm, hn, j/l, kr, no, pq, tu) has a very extensive distribution in European Russia (over a longitudinal and latitudinal range of 34–45 °E and 51–58 °N, respectively). The fully metacentric (2na = 18) complement appears to be the norm for this race, although polymorphism for arm combination jl was detected at one site. It was also confirmed that the ‘Goldap race’ of NE Poland extends into the adjoining Russian territory of the Kaliningrad (Koenigsberg) region. A tentative new race (the ‘Mologa’: XX/XY Y1Y2, af, bc, gm, hn, i/o, jl, kr, p/q. tu) was found 300 km north of Moscow.

Karyotypic Races of the Common Shrew (Sorex Araneus) with Exceptionally Large Ranges: The Novosibirsk and Tomsk Races of Siberia

“…Recently there has been the opportunity to extend this research at Academgorodok, through an INTAS-funded project to characterise the karyotypic variation in S. araneus over its whole Asian distribution (also other parts of the Former Soviet Union: see ORLOV et al 1996). This study has already confirmed the continued existence of the karyotypic polymorphism described by K R A L and RADJABLI (1974) and has demonstrated the occurrence of new karyotypic races (POLYAKOV et al 1997a,b).…”

The list of the chromosome races of the common shrew Sorex araneus (updated 2002)

“…Additional information: Individuals from Kostroma (Unzha river) were previously described as the Moscow race (Orlov et al 1996).…”

Bibliography of studies on hybrid zones of the common shrew chromosome races distributed in Russia

“…Currently, no less than 72 chromosomal races are recognized in total ( White et al 2010 ). The number of Russian chromosomal races has already reached 25 ( Orlov et al 1996 , 2007 , Bulatova et al 2000 , Shchipanov et al 2009 , Pavlova 2010 ). Only four of these races are common for Russia and some neighboring areas.…”

“…Only four of these races are common for Russia and some neighboring areas. They include the following: 1) the Neroosa race which spreads over the southern regions of Russia and Ukraine; 2) the West Dvina race which can be found in Russia – Belarus neighboring regions; 3) the Goldap race which inhabits the Baltic coast area of Poland and Kaliningrad region of western Russia; 4) the Ilomantsi race which occurs in the bordering areas of north-western Russia (Karelia) and Finland ( Orlov et al 1996 , 2007 , Bulatova et al 2000 , Shchipanov et al 2009 , Borisov et al 2009a ). As anticipated, regular studies of distribution of different races resulted in discoveries of interracial zones of contact in Russia ( Shchipanov et al 2009 , Orlov et al 2012 , Pavlova 2013 , Shchipanov and Pavlova 2013 ) and neighboring territories ( Borisov et al 2010 , 2013 ).…”