A New Chromosomal Race and a Hybrid Form of Nannospalax xanthodon (Satunin, 1898) (Rodentia: Spalacidae) from Karaman, Turkey

A new race was determined in a population of mole rats Nannospalax xanthodon from Karaman. In addition, a hybrid with 2n = 59 chromosomes was detected between the populations of the Ugurlu race. The karyotype of the new race contained 58 chromosomes, including 11 biarmed pairs and 17 acrocentric pairs in the autosomal complement (NFa=78). The X chromosome was submetacentric (NF=82). The karyotype of a hybrid form contained 59 chromosomes, including two heteromorphic pairs in the autosomal complement (NFa=75). The X chromosome was submetacentric (NF=79). The dark centromeric C-bands were observed in some biarmed and acrocentric autosomes in both new race and hybrid form. C-heterochromatic short arms were found in some autosomal pairs in the only new race. The X chromosome possessed centromeric C-positive band in both new race and hybrid form. NORs were detected on the short arms of three pairs of autosomes in the Ugurlu race and two in the hybrid form. The karyotype characteristics observed in the new race are obviously different among hitherto studied 2n= 58 populations of blind mole rats; therefore, it can be evaluated as a new chromosome race of N. xanthodon. In this study, finding a new hybrid with interracial hybridisation is important for future studies in terms of the chromosomal evolution of blind mole rats.