Ognev's mole

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Ognev's mole
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Eulipotyphla
Family: Talpidae
Genus: Talpa
Species:
T. ognevi
Binomial name
Talpa ognevi
Stroganov 1944
Talpa ognevi distribution map.svg
Ognev's mole distribution
Synonyms

Talpa caucasica ognevi

Ognev's mole (Talpa ognevi) is a species of mammal in the family Talpidae. [1] It occurs in the southeastern coastal area of the Black Sea from northeastern Turkey to Georgia. It inhabits different habitats associated with moist soils in lowland areas. Little information is available about its life history.

Contents

Externally, Ognev's mole resembles the Caucasian mole (T. caucasica), which occurs further north, but is larger and has more robust teeth. It was scientifically named in 1944, but for a time it was considered a subspecies of T. caucasica. However, genetic analysis found major differences, and in 2018 Ognev's mole was recognized as an independent species. No data has yet been collected on the status of the population.

Taxonomy

Ognev's mole is a species of the genus Talpa , which contains Eurasian moles. The genus includes around a dozen other members, including the European mole (Talpa europaea) as its most famous representative. The Eurasian moles belong to the tribe of true moles (Talpini) and the mole family (Talpidae). The true moles in turn include the mostly burrowing forms of the moles, while other members of the family only partially live underground, move above ground or have a semi-aquatic way of life. [2]

Description

The first scientific description of Ognev's mole was made in 1944 by Sergei Uljanowitsch Stroganow under the name Talpa romana ognevi and thus as a subspecies of the Roman mole (T. romana). The comparatively larger size of the animals and their robust tooth structure compared to the Caucasian mole, which occurs further north, was primarily what motivated Stroganov to incorporate the new species into the Roman mole. As a type locality, he gave Bakuriani in the region around Borjomi in southern Georgia. The holotype is formed by an adult male animal originating from there. In addition, Stroganov examined seven other individuals, some of which had been found in the vicinity of Kutaisi. With the specific epithet, Stroganow honored the Soviet zoologist Sergey Ivanovich Ognev. [3] [4] [5]

In 1989, Ognev's mole was designated as one of three subspecies of the Caucasian mole by Vladimir Sokolov. The distinction was based on size, as the body shape of Ognev's mole stood out as extremely distinctive from the other Caucasian moles. In line with the moles of the Caucasus region and southern Europe, Ognev's mole also has a caecoidal structure of the sacrum (the opening of the foramen on the fourth sacral vertebra is directed backwards). This is a striking difference from the europaeoidal structure (the opening of the foramen on the fourth sacral vertebra is covered by a bone bridge) of the pelvic area in numerous Central and Western European moles. [6] [5]

Molecular genetic studies since the 2010s have shown a relatively basal position of the Caucasian moles together with the Altai mole (T. altaica) within the Eurasian moles. The separation of this group dates back to the transition from the Miocene to the Pliocene more than 5 million years ago. [7] [4] [2] In 2015, genetic analyses showed a clear separation between the moles of the northern and southern Caucasus region. This was supported by the deep divergence between the two lines, which, according to the results, had been distinct since the end of the Pliocene around 3 to 2.5 million years ago. The authors of the study therefore suspected an independent position of Ognev's mole, but omitted a species position, as no genetic material from individuals from the type locality was available to them. [4] Three years later, in the eighth volume of the standard work Handbook of the Mammals of the World, Ognev's mole was granted species status. This separation from the Caucasian mole is also supported by individual cytogenetic data, since the largest chromosome in Ognev's mole has two arms, whereas the Caucasian mole has an acrocentric structure. [5]

Distribution and habitat

The distribution of Ognev's mole includes the southeastern coastal areas of the Black Sea. It occurs from the Artvin province in northeastern Turkey to the neighboring areas of Georgia to the north, where the habitat extends inland to the upper reaches of the Kura River. The northern limit of the distribution has not been adequately delineated. The animals prefer lowlands and river valleys near the coast. Higher areas are mostly inhabited by the sympatric Levant mole (T. levantis transcaucasica). Ognev's mole can be found in gardens, fields, and wooded landscapes with moist soils. [8] [6] [5]

Characteristics

Anatomy

Ognev's mole reaches a head-trunk length of 13.4 to 14.2 cm, a tail length of 2.0 to 2.6 cm and a weight of 62 to 91 g. The sexual dimorphism is only slightly pronounced, males are on average 5% heavier than females. With the specified dimensions, Ognev's mole is larger than the closely related Caucasian mole. Outwardly, both types are similar. Like all moles, they are characterized by a cylindrical and robust body, a short neck and shovel-like front feet. The coat color has a blackish gray to black hue. Occasionally, yellowish spots are formed on the muzzle, throat and chest. Similar to the Caucasian mole, but unlike the European mole (Talpa europaea), the eyes are covered with a translucent skin. The rear foot has a length of 1.8 to 2.0 cm. [6] [5]

Features of skull and teeth

The length of the skull varies between 33.6 and 35.0 mm, the width on the zygomatic arch is 12.1 to 13.7 mm, and the cranium is 15.9 to 17.2 mm. It has a robust rostrum that is between 9.0 and 10.1 mm wide. The dentition has 44 teeth with the following tooth formula: .

Compared to the Caucasian mole, the upper molars are very strong. The upper row of teeth extends over 14.7 to 15.8 mm in length, of which the molars take up 6.0 to 7.4 mm. In proportion, the upper row of teeth takes up around 40% of the length of the skull. [3] [8] [6] [5]

Genetic characteristics

The diploid chromosome set is 2n = 38. It consists of 8 metacentric, 3 submetacentric, 2 subtelocentric and 5 teloacrocentric pairs of chromosomes. The largest chromosome has two arms. The X chromosome is (sub) metacentric, the Y chromosome is speckled. [8] [9] [10] [5]

Life history

There is little information about the life history of Ognev's mole. Presumably it resembles that of the Caucasian mole. [5]

Threats and conservation

Ognev's mole has not yet been registered by the IUCN. Information on the status of populations and protective measures is not available. [5]

Literature

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Talpidae</span> Family of small insectivorous mammals

The family Talpidae includes the moles who are small insectivorous mammals of the order Eulipotyphla. Talpids are all digging animals to various degrees: moles are completely subterranean animals; shrew moles and shrew-like moles somewhat less so; and desmans, while basically aquatic, excavate dry sleeping chambers; whilst the quite unique star-nosed mole is equally adept in the water and underground. Talpids are found across the Northern Hemisphere of Eurasia and North America, and range as far south as the montane regions of tropical Southeast Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">European mole</span> Species of mammal

The European mole is a mammal of the order Eulipotyphla. It is also known as the common mole and the northern mole.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Talpinae</span> Subfamily of mammals

The subfamily Talpinae, sometimes called "Old World moles" or "Old World moles and relatives", is one of three subfamilies of the mole family Talpidae, the others being the Scalopinae, or New World moles, and the Uropsilinae, or shrew-like moles.

<i>Talpa</i> (mammal) Genus of mammals

Talpa is a genus in the mole family Talpidae. Among the first taxa in science, Carolus Linnaeus used the Latin word for "moles", talpa, in his Regnum Animale to refer to the commonly known European form of mole. The group has since been expanded to include 13 extant species, found primarily in Europe and western Asia. The European mole, found throughout most of Europe, is a member of this genus, as are several species restricted to small ranges. One species, Père David's mole, is data deficient. These moles eat earthworms, insects, and other invertebrates found in the soil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Japanese mole</span> Species of mammal

The Japanese mole, also known as Temminck's mole, is a species of mole endemic to Japan. A solitary and diurnal species, it can live for up to 3.5 years in the wild. Their sizes vary depending on the temperature and the hardness of the soil they reside in.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Striped field mouse</span> Species of rodent

The striped field mouse is a rodent in the family Muridae. The range of this species stretches from Eastern Europe to Eastern Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Middle East blind mole-rat</span> Species of mammal

The Middle East blind mole-rat or Palestine mole-rat is a species of rodent in the family Spalacidae.

<i>Nannospalax</i> Genus of rodents

Nannospalax is a genus of rodent in the family Spalacidae, found in eastern Europe and western Asia. It is one of two genera in the blind mole-rats, alongside Spalax. Members of this genus are also known as small-bodied mole-rats. As with members of the genus Spalax, they are completely blind, with their eyes being entirely covered by skin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Insular mole</span> Species of mammal

The insular mole is a species of mammal in the family Talpidae. It is restricted to Hainan Island and Taiwan, where it is also known as the Formosan blind mole. The species was first described by Robert Swinhoe in 1863.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caucasian mole</span> Species of mammal

The Caucasian mole is a mammal in the family Talpidae that is endemic to the Caucasus Mountains of Russia and Georgia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Levant mole</span> Species of mammal

The Levant mole is a species of mammal in the family Talpidae. It is found in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia, and Turkey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman mole</span> Species of mammal

The Roman mole is a species of mammal in the family Talpidae. It is found in southern Italy. It was last recorded on Sicily in 1885. There is also an unconfirmed report about an isolated subpopulation in the Var region of southern France.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Balkan mole</span> Species of mammal

The Balkan mole is a species of mammal in the family Talpidae. It is found in Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia and Greece, including the island of Corfu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">True's shrew mole</span> Species of mammal

True's shrew mole is a species of mammal in the family Talpidae. It is endemic to Japan and is a common species above 1000 meters in grassland, shrubland and forest. Sometimes this species is called the lesser Japanese shrew mole and another species, Urotrichus talpoides, is called the "greater Japanese shrew mole".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Talpini</span> Tribe of mammals

Talpini is a tribe of mammals known as Old World Moles. It is a division of the subfamily Talpinae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martino's mole</span> Species of mammal

Martino's mole is a species of small blind mole in the family Talpidae found in eastern Thrace along the western Black Sea coast in south-eastern Bulgaria and north-eastern Turkey, mainly in the Strandzha mountain range. In Bulgaria it is found in Strandzha Nature Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aquitanian mole</span> Species of mammal

The Aquitanian mole is a species of small burrowing mammal of the family Talpidae. It is found from the southwest of France to the north of Spain. Closely related to the European mole, this species was described in 2017, and it is difficult to distinguish it from it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Talysch mole</span> Species of mammal

The Talysch mole is a species of mammal in the family Talpidae. It is a small member of the family, which outwardly resembles the Levant mole, but is genetically closer to Père David's mole. It is common on the southwest coast of the Caspian Sea, from southern of Azerbaijan through most of the north of Iran. The habitat includes temperate rainforests and scrub areas. There is little information about the life history of the Talysch mole. It was described in 1945, but had long been considered a subspecies of various other Eurasian moles, and was only recognized as a distinct species in the mid-2010s. No surveys have been carried out to quantify the status of the species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">La Touche's mole</span> Species of mammal

La Touche's mole is a species of mammal in the family Talpidae. It is found in eastern China and parts of northern Vietnam. It is named after Irish naturalist John David Digues La Touche.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malaysian mole</span> Species of mammal

The Malaysian mole is a species of mammal in the family Talpidae. It is endemic to the highlands of peninsular Malaysia, making it the southernmost known species of mole.

References

  1. ↑ "Explore the Database". mammaldiversity.org. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  2. 1 2 He, Kai; Shinohara, Akio; Helgen, Kristofer M.; Springer, Mark S.; Jiang, Xue-Long; Campbell, Kevin L. (30 October 2016). "Talpid Mole Phylogeny Unites Shrew Moles and Illuminates Overlooked Cryptic Species Diversity". Molecular Biology and Evolution. 34 (1): 78–87. doi: 10.1093/molbev/msw221 . ISSN   0737-4038. PMID   27795230.
  3. 1 2 Stroganow, Sergei Uljanowitsch (1944). "New forms of insectivorous mammals". CR Acad Sci Moscow. New Series. 443: 120–122.
  4. 1 2 3 Bannikova, Anna A.; Zemlemerova, Elena D.; Colangelo, Paolo; Sözen, Mustafa; Sevindik, M.; Kidov, Artem A.; Dzuev, Ruslan I.; Kryštufek, Boris; Lebedev, Vladimir S. (18 August 2015). "An underground burst of diversity – a new look at the phylogeny and taxonomy of the genusTalpaLinnaeus, 1758 (Mammalia: Talpidae) as revealed by nuclear and mitochondrial genes". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 175 (4): 930–948. doi: 10.1111/zoj.12298 . ISSN   0024-4082.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Handbook of the mammals of the world. Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier, Paolo Cavallini. Barcelona. 2009–2019. ISBN   978-84-96553-49-1. OCLC   304148757.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Mammals of Turkey and Cyprus: Introduction, Checklist, Insectivora". Journal of Mammalogy. 84 (1): 327–329. February 2003. doi: 10.1644/1545-1542(2003)084<0327:r>2.0.co;2 . ISSN   0022-2372. S2CID   198969372.
  7. ↑ Colangelo, P.; Bannikova, A. A.; Kryštufek, B.; Lebedev, V. S.; Annesi, F.; Capanna, E.; Loy, A. (1 May 2010). "Molecular systematics and evolutionary biogeography of the genus Talpa (Soricomorpha: Talpidae)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 55 (2): 372–380. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2010.01.038. ISSN   1055-7903. PMID   20138223.
  8. 1 2 3 H, Kefelioğlu; S, Gençoğlu (1996). "The taxonomy and distribution of Talpas (Mammalia: Insectivora) in the Blacksea Region". Turkish Journal of Zoology. 20: 57–66. doi:10.55730/1300-0179.3038. ISSN   1300-0179. S2CID   83317879.
  9. ↑ Arslan, Atilla; Zima, Jan (March 2014). "Karyotypes of the mammals of Turkey and neighbouring regions: a review". Folia Zoologica. 63 (1): 1–62. doi: 10.25225/fozo.v63.i1.a1.2014 . ISSN   0139-7893. S2CID   90779765.
  10. ↑ Gornung, E.; Volleth, M.; Capanna, E.; Castiglia, R. (2008). "Comparative cytogenetics of moles (Eulipotyphla, Talpidae): chromosomal differences in Talpa romana and T. europaea". Cytogenetic and Genome Research. 121 (3–4): 249–254. doi:10.1159/000138892. ISSN   1424-859X. PMID   18758166. S2CID   29187130.
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