The taxonomy and phylogeography of Palaearctic true lemmings (Lemmus, Cricetidae, Rodentia): New insights from cyt b data

Abramson N.I., Kostygov A.Yu., Rodchenkova E.N.

P. 17-23

New data that significantly specified phylogeography and taxonomic structure of Palearctic lemmings (Lemmus) have been obtained. Therewith, the data on nucleotide composition of cyt b in true lemmings from the Lena River mouth, the terra typica for L. sibiricus bungei were of particular significance. It has been shown that 1) results are highly reproducible; 2) new, for the first time studied samples from the mouth of the Lena River undoubtedly referred to the west clade and thus, its border shifts to the east; 3) distinguishing of the distinct species L. bungei is not supported by morphological, biological, and molecular data as far as terra typica is inhabited by lemmings referring to the clade of typical L. sibiricus. New data on the variation of cyt b are in a good agreement with morphological, paleontological, and zoogeographical data. They better fit the taxonomic division of the genus.DOI: 10.15298/rusjtheriol.7.1.03

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