80.

Alai Mole Vole

Ellobius alaicus

French: Campagnol des Alai / German: Alai-Mull-Lemmming / Spanish: Topillo topo de Alay

Taxonomy. Ellobius alaicus Vorontsov et al., 1969, between Sary-Tashem and Bardabo, Alai Valley, S Kyrgyzstan.

Ellobius alaicus is in the subgenus Ellobius . It is recognized as a species and distinct from E. tancrei based on chromosomal differences. Karyotype is 2n = 54 in tancre: and 2n = 52 in alaicus . Monotypic.

Distribution. Alai Mts in S Kyrgyzstan.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 110-132 mm, tail 8-17 mm; weight 42-6 63-8 g. The Alai Mole Vole is nearly identical in external morphology and craniodental structure to the Eastern Mole Vole ( E. tancrei). Pelage is buff on back and gray along flanks and on belly. In some individuals, buff is shaded yellow, but in others, it is hued gray. Forehead is dark brown and does not contrast sharply with back. Cheeks are buff in some individuals. Incisors are strictly proodont. Molars are rooted, with no cement in reentrant loops.

Habitat. Alpine pastures (type locality at an elevation of 3300 m).

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. No information.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List. There is a shortage of information on distribution, population size, trends, and threats to the Alai Mole Vole. Entire area of distribution is only ¢.2600 km?.

Bibliography. Shenbrot & Krasnov (2005), Vorontsov & Yakimenko (1984), Vorontsov et al. (1969).