Diversity of voles species of surrounding territories of Quchak village

Abstract

Morphological, craniological and dental studies of voles captured from Quchak village (Central part of Armenia) showed a great variety of measurements and difference in teeth structure. According to literature data there are 3 species of voles: European snow vole Chionomys nivalis, social vole Sumeriomys (M.) socialis and common vole Microtus arvalis dwelling in this area. The analysis of morphological, craniological and dental measurements of our collection showed overlapping of some measures. The data obtained from the analysis of the morphological, craniological measurements and teeth structure showed clear difference of studied voles from the typical representatives of the above species. DNA analyses of collected samples were done. The analysis showed the presence of other “species” as well. The territory of Quchak village is known as a hybridization zone for rock lizards. It is possible there is hybridization processes are going between the vole species living around Quchak village also.