We examine the diversity of six microsatellite loci and partial RAG1 exon of “barabensis” and “pseudogriseus” karyoforms in Cricetulus barabensis sensu lato species complex. A total of 435 specimens from 68 localities ranging from Altai to the Far East are investigated. The results of the population structure analysis (factor analysis and NJ tree based on Nei genetic distances) support subdivision into two well-differentiated clusters corresponding to the two karyoforms. These karyoforms are also well differentiated by the level of microsatellite variability. In several “barabensis” specimens, we found microsatellite alleles that are common in “pseudogriseus” populations but are otherwise absent in “barabensis.” Most of these specimens originate from a single population in one of the zones of potential contact between karyoforms, Kharkhorin in Central Mongolia. These molecular results are consistent with previously published karyological data in suggesting that rare hybridization events between the two chromosomal races occur in nature.

The genetic variability of the greater long-tailed hamster Tscherskia triton of the peripheral population of the southern Russian Far East is evaluated compared to the central populations of China based on the nucleotide sequences of the control region of mitochondrial DNA. The high genetic diversity of the population of the southern part of Russian Far East is established, which does not confirm a hypothesis on reduction of the diversity in the peripheral populations. The presence of three phylogroups is discovered: one within Russia (“northern”) and two within China (“central” and “southern”). A deletion, absent in other taxonomically distant groups of the Old and New World and acquired by the greater long-tailed hamster over the course of its evolutionary history, is present in certain populations of this species. A preliminary hypothesis, according to which the contemporary structure of this species is determined not only by topographical and climatic events, but by human activity as well, is formulated.

The genome size of the Chinese hamster Cricetulus griseus, absolute and relative DNA content of individual chromosomes in normal Chinese hamster karyotype and Chinese hamster cell lines V-79 RJK and Vebr-5 during long-term cultivation were determined with flow cytometry and microfluorimetry. It has been shown that the genome size of Chinese hamster males and females is 6.660 and 6.746 pg, respectively. DNA content in chromosomes of the cultivated cells drastically differed from that the normal Chinese hamster karyotype. It changed during the long-term cultivation of both cell lines. In certain chromosomes, the changes reached 20–25% (as a rule, increased). The level of DNA amplification in the p-arm of chromosome Z6 in cells Vebr-5 registered at the beginning of the experiment in the course of further cellular cultivation (over 20 years) remained stable. The data obtained suggest that the cell malignant transformation and cellular adaptation to the conditions in vitro resulted in the dramatic genome restructuring affected all chromosomes.

Materials on the new findings of the striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius) in Transbaikalia, within an earlier disjunction area in the habitat of this species (in the basins of the Onon and Ingoda rivers), are presented. Possible causes of the expansion of the species range are discussed. It is most probable that the species was introduced from the basin of the Argun River with a cargo of agricultural products to the lower reaches of the Onon River or the upper reaches of the Shilka River. Currently, the striped field mouse is a common species inhabiting a floodplain shrub biotope in the lower reaches of the Ingoda and Onon rivers.

Using cytometry and an microfluorimetry, we have determined the genome size in Chinese hamster Cricetulus griseus, as well as absolute and relative DNA content of its individual chromosomes and of chromosomes in the transformed Chinese hamster cell lines V-79 RJK and Vebr-5 after prolonged cultivation. It has been shown that the genome size in male and female Chinese hamster is 6.660 and 6.746 pg, respectively. Absolute content of chromosomal DNA of both studied cell lines differed significantly from the content of the corresponding chromosomal DNA of the Chinese hamster normal karyotype. During long-term cellular cultivation, changes in the DNA content of certain chromosomes in both cell lines (generally upward) reached 20-25 %. The level of DNA amplification in the p-arm of chromosome Z6, registered at the beginning of the experiment, in the course of further cellular cultivation (over 20 years) remained stable. The data obtained allow us to conclude that the malignant transformation of cells and subsequent adaptation to the conditions in vitro leads to a profound restructuring of its genome, which affects almost all chromosomes.

The karyotypes of C. barabensis (2n = 20, NF = 38) and C. pseudogriseus (2n = 24, NF = 38) from different geographic regions of Russia have been studied. Differences in the karyotype structure (chromosome morphology and distribution of heterochromatin) between the two species are described. Variation in heterochromatin staining of the first two autosomal pairs in C. barabensis from different parts of its range has been revealed for the first time.

A complex of genetic methods was applied to study the differentiation of the Myospalax psilurus Milne-Edwards 1874 zokor from the "psilurus - epsilanus" group, which includes populations of the southern Russian Far East and Transbaikal region that are traditionally considered as those of two subspecies of Myospalax psilurus Milne-Edwards 1874. The genetic differentiation between the peripheral populations of the Khanka Plain (Primorsky Krai) and the interfluve of the Onon and Argun rivers (Transbaikalia) was investigated. All the zokors under study had the diploid number of chromosomes 2n=64, but significant differences in the karyotype structure were revealed between the populations from Transbaikalia (9-12M-SM5 10-13 ST, 8-9A: "epsilanus") and Far East region (9M-SM, 13-14ST, 8-9A: "psilurus"). These populations clearly differ by the spectra of blood serum protein transferrin. Two different electrophoretic variants of the blood transferrin protein are fixed in these populations. Each variant is monomorphic both within the samples and within the geographic region investigated and marks these peripheral populations. The level of genetic variability in the marginal populations (Transbaikalia and the Far East of Russia) seems to be similar according to RAPD-PCR analysis. The genetic distance between them is high corresponding to the differences between M. aspalax - M. armandii that were considered as independent species (Puzachenko et al., 2009, Tsvirka et al., 2011). The UPGMA dendrogram of genetic similarity and the MST phylogenetic tree have been developed. All samples were shown to be divided into two clades according to the geographical distribution of the samples. The data received allow one to reasonably support the previously proposed hypothesis (Pavlenko, Korablev, 2003), according to which the peripheral populations of the zokor from Transbaikalia and the southern Russian Far East belong to the separate species M. psilurus Milne-Edwards 1874 and M. epsilanus Thomas 1912 or to two semispecies in statu nascendi.

New data on the distribution of the endemic Asian rodents zokors (Myospalax sp.) in Eastern Russia (Transbaikalia and Khanka Plain) based on new taxonomic, genetic and morphological research are presented in this article. Both karyotype and mtDNA markers and morphological characteristics (craniometry) were used for species identification. The following four distinct species inhabit this region: Myospalax aspalax, Myospalax armandii, and Myospalax epsilanus in south Transbaikalia and Myospalax psilurus in Khanka Plain. Maps of species distribution and a list of localities for genetically and morphologically typed specimens are presented.

The results of genetic research of Palaearctic ground squirrel (Sermophilus) carried out on the basis of the collection material from expeditions organized by N.N. Vorontsov in the 1990s are considered. The ranges of interspecific and intraspecific genetic differentiation of Sermophilus ground squirrels were investigated. The analysis of groups of "disputable" species was performed, as well as the comparison of the species differentiation according to the features characteristic of different structural levels (karyotype, allozyme, DNA, morphology, and bioacoustics). The data obtained are considered in terms of the development of the taxonomic system, the process of speciation, the evolutionary history of individual taxa, and the Palaearctic genus Spermophilus in general. The analysis of Palearctic Spermophilus genetic differentiation reflects different stages of the species formation and development. S. suslicus and S. odessanus, as well as S. pygmaeus and S. musicus, are the independent plyletic lines that develop within allopatric areas. The "major" subspecies group and geographical forms of S. undulatus represent another example The present time is a period to verify "genome closeness" of the earlier independently evolved species genomes that differ genetically (and not only genetically). The hypothesis of three stage migration in ground squirrel from Nearctic to Palearctic has been confirmed.

The karyotypes of two species, the little ground squirrel (Spermophilus pygmaeus (Pallas 1778)) (2n = 36, NF = 72), and the Caucasian mountain ground squirrel (S. musicus (Menetries 1832)) (2n = 36, NF = 72), were studied and revised using the methods of differential staining of chromosomes (C-, Ag-NOR- and G-). These species differ in the chromosome morphology, the type of chromosomal rearrangements, the number of homologous chromosomes, and the structural nature of the heterochromatin location. The number and location of nucleolar organizer regions are found not to be differentiating features for species S. pygmaeus S. musicus: the differences in the number of nucleolar organizers characterize the level of the interpopulation variability in S. pygmaeus, and the intrapopulation (inter-individual) level of variability in S. musicus. The taxonomic relationships between these closely related species are discussed. The Caucasian mountain ground squirrel, S. musicus, is now considered a separate species.

The superspecies Cricetulus barabensis sensu lato is represented by four suspected allopatric chromosome forms, taxonomic status of which is ambiguous. The analysis of karyotypes of hamsters from 22 locations in the southeastern Transbaikalia showed that two allopatric forms of the species status (striped dwarf hamster, Cricetulus barabensis sensu stricto (2n = 20), and Transbaikal hamster, C. pseudogriseus (2n = 24)) dwelt in the territory between the Ingoda, Shilka and Argun Rivers. In the southern areas of this region, the border between these forms passes along the Onon River valley; it may be considered as a valid geographical barrier that separates the nearest known locations of two different chromosomal forms. The northern boundary appears to pass along the Unda River and the eastern boundary along the Gazimur River (the left Argun River tributary). Its configuration is more complicated than it was suggested earlier based on the morphological data. Our results do not support the proposition that the Shilka River is a zoogeographical barrier in relation to different chromosomal forms of Cricetulus barabensis (Lebedev, Lisovslcy, 2008; Obolenskaja, 2010).

The karyotype of the Tsing-Ling (Huanghe) pika, Ochotona huangensis Matschie, 1908 from the forest habitats of the Qinling Mountains (Shaanxi Province, China) was described for the first time. The chromosome set contains 42 chromosomes (NFa=80). The autosomes are 15 meta-submetacentric pairs and 5 subtelocentric pairs. The X chromosome is a medium sized submetacentric; the Y chromosome is a small sized acrocentric. C-banding revealed a localization of heterochromatin in the pericentromeric regions of all autosomes.

The population structuring and low genetic diversity of the Manchurian zokor Myospalax psilurus Milne-Edwards, 1874, an East Asian endemic included in the Red List of Russia, were demonstrated. Two separate geographical groups differing in the level of their genetic diversity were found on the territory of the Primorskii krai. The subpopulation located closest to the main area of this species was determined as ancestral. A subspecies differentiation of the Primorskii krai and Transbaikal M. psilurus populations was shown, as was the monophyletic origin of M. psilurus and its high divergence from M. aspalax. The animals from northern localities are recommended for reintroduction in nature under species recovery programs in Primorskii krai.

Zokors (Myospalacinae) is a group of rodents specialized for underground life, endemics of eastern Asia, which is taxonomically and evolutionarily poorly studied. We examined genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships among zokors (Myospalax myospalax, Myospalax aspalax, Myospalax armandii, Myospalax psilurus, Myospalax smithii) using RAPD-PCR. The subfamily Myospalacinae was shown to be monophyletic and contain four evolutionary branches: M. myospalax, M. aspalax-M. armandii, M. smithii and M. psilurus. Genetic differences and high differentiation were found among the species and between two geographic forms of Manchurian zokor M. psilurus from the marginal parts of the range, Transbaikalia and Primorye. The psiluris phylogroup was shown to be dichotomically divided into two clades according to the geographical distribution of animals from Transbaikalia and Primorye. The genetic differentiation between the geographic forms of M. psilurus corresponded to the differentiation between morphologically similar species M. aspalax and M. armandii. M. armandii is a sister taxon with regard to M. aspalax. This new evidence on the evolutionary relationships among zokors does not contradict the traditional views inferred from morphological, karyological, and allozyme data, on apartness of M. myospalax and the character of evolution in this group. The species status of Myospalax psilurus Milne-Edwards, 1874, M. epsilanus Thomas, 1912, and M. armandii Milne-Edwards, 1867, which had been suggested earlier on the basis of biochemical and karyological data, was confirmed.

Zokors (Myospalacinae, Spalacidae) are the burrowing (fossorial) rodents with the long evolutionary history. The systematics of Myospalacinae is not well developed. Different authors described up to 10 recent species. The craniometrical variability of the subfamily Myospalacinae was tested using methods of multivariate statistics (non-metric multidimensional scaling, cluster analysis) and standard univariate methods. The sampling included 198 skulls of adult animals; 61 measurements of skull were used. Three main morphological groups of the zokors were described. The first group includes M. myospalax - Siberian zokor. All other zokors were divided into two groups: species with full developed first upper molar (2 buccal and 2 labial flexi) and zokors only with 1 buccal flexi (hypoflexus). According to the current taxonomy, the second group included one species - false zokor, M. aspalax (Pallas 1776), inhabiting Mongolia (northern and northeastern), Russia (Transbaikalia) and China (Inner Mongolia, the Great Khingan Mountains). The craniological variability of false zokor was studied within its range. The sampling included 38 skulls (old museum collections and genetically typed specimens). The hypothesis of the heterogeneity of false zokor was confirmed by the results of the craniometrical analysis. These results along with the original species description (Pallas, 1778) and Pallas' travel notes (Pallas, 1788) show that the taxon M. aspalax includes two allopatric species: proper M. aspalax (=M. dybowskii Tscherski 1873) and Armand's zokor, M. armandii (Milne-Edwards 1867) (=M. komurai Mori 1927). M. aspalax inhabits the western part of the range (Mongolia, Transbaikalia up to the Onon River valley); M. armandii occupies the eastern part of the range (southeastern Chita oblast and China). These species differed in the interorbital width, width of M\1 and M\2, length of lower tooth row, length of upper diastema, length of mandible, length of premaxilla bone fight up to incisive foramen, length of mandibular condyle, length of zygomatic arch, and the width of skull base between the anterior margins of mandibular fossae. On the average, M. armandii is larger than M. aspalax. The well distinguishable qualitative skull features are as follows: the shape of nasal-frontal suture (Lambda-shaped in M. aspalax, W - shaped in M. armandii); the shape of the processes of palatine bones; the shape of sagittal crests in adult specimens; the shape of anterior border of the zygomatic plate; and the shape of the border of the occipital "shield". The preliminary maps of the species ranges are given. The further directions of the complex (cytogenetic, genetic, morphological) researches of Myospalacinae are proposed.

Genetic diversity in the four east Palearctic ground squirrel species of the genus Spermophilus-S. undulatus, S. parryi (subgenus Urocitellus), S. dauricus, and S. relictus (subgenus Citellus)-was investigated using RAPD PCR with ten random primers. Siberian chipmunk, Tamias sibiricus, was used as an out-group. Molecular markers for different taxonomic ranks were identified, including those for the genera Spermophilus and Tamias, subgenera Urocitellus and Citellus, as well as for each of the four species, S.undulatus, S. parryi, S. dauricus, and S. relictus. For the ground squirrel species and subgenera, genetic differentiation indices (H-t, H-s, D-st, G(st), Nm, and D) were calculated. In addition, for these groups the NJ phylogenetic reconstructions and UPGMA dendrograms of genetic similarity of the individuals and combined populations were constructed. Comparative molecular genetic analysis revealed a high genetic differentiation between S. undulatus, S. dauricus, S. relictus, and S. parryi (G(s) (t)= 0.58 to 0.82; D = 0.53 to 1.06), along with a low level of genetic differentiation of the subgenera Citellus and Urocitellus (G(st) = 0.33; D = 0.27), distinguished in accordance with the existing taxonomic systems of the genus Spermophilus.

This paper presents species and distribution patter ns of small mammals in the Pingheliang and Niubeiliang Nature Reserves on the so uth slope of the eastern part of Qinling Mountain. This work was conducted in Se ptember, 2005. A total of 689 individuals were captured on 2460 trap-days. Twen ty-seven species of small mammals, representing three orders, six families and 19 genera, were recorded from 10 study sites. The average rate of capture was 28 .01%. Ananalysis of ecological and vertical distribution of the mammals showed that the Shannon-Weiner diversity index in three communities was 2.9288-3.3639 and the Pielou evenness index was 0.7669-0.8602. Based on this survey and former studies in other nature reserves and areas surrounding Qinling Mountain, the small mammal fauna of Pinghe liang Nature Reserve includes 48 species of three orders, 11 families and 33 gen era. This presents a higher diversity and richness of small mammals on the south slope of the eastern part of Qinling Mountain than in other areas of the mounta in. Parascaptor leucura, Sorex bedfordiae, Myospalax smithii and Nivivente r excelsior caught in this investigation are the first records of these specie s on Qinling Mountain. A list of 55 small mammals from the south slope of Qinlin g Mountain is also given following a general review. The south slope of Qinling Mountain should be classified within the Southwest Region in the zoogeography of China.

The genetic diversity and phylogeny of ground squirrels of the subgenus Colobotis (Spermophilus fulvus, S. major, and S. erythrogenys) were studied using the RAPD-PCR analysis with eight arbitrary primers. Three subspecies, S. e. erythrogenys, S. e. brevicauda, and S. e. pallidicauda, are differentiated to a greater extent. The subspecies S. e. brevicauda (the iliensis form) is highly variable. The form S. e. heptneri is closer to S. e. brevicauda than to S. e. erythrogenys or S. major. The high level of molecular divergence (UPGMA-, NJ- and MST-reconstructions) of the ground squirrels investigated allow to consider S. fulvus, S. major, S. erythrogenys, S. brevicauda and S. pallidicauda as independent taxa of species rank within the subgenus Colobotis.