[Polymorphism and Genetic Structure of Microtus maximowiczii (Schrenck, 1858) (Rodentia, Cricetidae) from the Middle Amur River Region as Inferred from Sequencing of the mtDNA Control Region].

The genetic variability of the mitochondrial DNA control region sequences was estimated for the Maximowicz's vole Microtus maximowiczii from the Middle Amur River region located between the confluence of Amur River with Ussuri River and Zeya River. The species as a whole was characterized by a high level of genetic variability. For each individual sample, low nucleotide diversity was observed, except for two samples in which a more than twofold increase in this index was revealed. The presence of the contact zone of two genetically distinct populations in the area between Bira and Bidzhan rivers is suggested.

[Genetic variability and the origin of house mouse from the territory of Russia and neighboring countries].

Genetic differentiation and gene geographic variation of house mouse from the territory of Russia and neighboring countries was examined based on the allozyme analysis of samples from natural, semisynanthropic, and obligate synanthropic populations. The results of analysis of genetic differentiation, performed using 22 interpreted loci, as well as the data on gene geographic variation of four allozyme markers (Idh-1, Sod-1, Aat-1, and hemoglobin) validated the hypothesis on rapid mice expansion from the south of Eastern Europe to the Pacific coast of Asia. It was demonstrated that moving eastwards led to the formation currently expanding zones of hybridization between the "northern" M. musculus group and the "Central Asian" M. wagneri group in Siberia, and with the M. castaneus group in the south of the Russian Far East. The allozyme data were compared with the data of molecular genetic and karyological analyses performed using the same experimental material. The phenomenon of hybrid zones of the house mouse from Eurasia is discussed.

[Voles (Microtus Schrank, 1798) of the Russian Far East: allozymic and karyological divergence].

The intraspecific and interspecific differentiations of voles of the Russian Far East with respect to allozymic and karyotypic characteristics have been studied. The morphologically similar but karyotypically different species Microtus oeconomus, M. fortis, M. maximowiczii, and M. sachaliensis are characterized by considerable allozymic differentiation. In these voles, the allozymic differentiation has been found to increase in the order adjacent populations-subspecies-species. The interspecific allozymic differentiation of the chromosomally polymorphic M. maximowiczii-M. evoronensis-M. mujanensis does not exceed the intraspecific differences in M. oeconomus, M. fortis, and M. maximowiczii. The results are analyzed in terms of the allopatric and stasipatric models of speciation. The taxonomic status of M. maximowiczii gromovi is considered.

[Karyological and allozyme variability of far eastern voles Microtus fortis Büchner, 1889 (Cricetidae, Rodentia) from the Russian Far East].

Karyological (G-, C-, and NOR-banding) and allozyme analyses were carried out for island and continental populations of the vole Microtus fortis from the Far East of Russia. Variability of the autosome pair 7 was found. The presence of variation in the number of telomere heterochromatin blocks in the populations of Far Eastern voles was confirmed. NOR-staining of the Far Eastern vole chromosomes was carried out, showing stability of the number and the positions of the nucleolus organizer regions. Ten enzyme systems and three non-enzyme proteins (controlled in total by 25 interpretable loci) were examined in the Far Eastern vole from the island and continental populations. All of the loci were shown to be monomorphic, except for one esterase locus, which exhibited polymorphism at the intrapopulation and interpopulation levels. The issue of distribution of the Far Eastern vole subspecies is discussed. It is suggested that M. fortis pelliceus occurs not only in the Russian Far East, but also in Northern Transbaikalia.

[Genogeographic variability and genetic differentiation of the root vole (Microtus oeconomus Pallas, 1776, Cricetidae, Rodentia) from the Kuril Islands]. / Genogeograficheskaia izmenchivost' i geneticheskaia differentsiatsiia polevki-ékonomiki (Microtus oeconomus Pallus, 1776, Cricetidae, Rodentia) kuril'skikh ostrovov.

Electrophoretic analysis of 12 enzyme systems and 3 nonenzyme proteins (in all, 24 interpretable loci) was carried out for Microtus oeconomus from ten Kuril islands, Kamchatka Peninsula, and the vicinity of the city of Magadan. Gene geographic variation was examined and the coefficients of genetic variation and differentiation were estimated. The inter-population allozyme differentiation was low (DNEI, 1972 not higher than 0.053) and caused by variation in the allele frequencies of polymorphic loci. The greatest genetic distances were found between the populations belonging to different subspecies. Allozyme differentiation of Far Eastern M. oeconomus and M. fortis are discussed in relation to the data on the age of the island isolation and paleontological records. Karyological analysis (G-, C-, and NOR-banding) demonstrated the absence of differences between M. oeconomus from Kamchatka and the vicinity of Magadan.

[Gene-geographical variation and genetic differentiation in red-backed voles of the genus Clethrionomys (Rodentia, Cricetidae) in the Okhotskii region]. / Genogeograficheskaia izmenchivost' i geneticheskaia differentsiatsiia lesnykh polevok roda Clethrionomys (Rodentia, Cricetidae) Priokhot'ia.

Thirteen enzyme systems and three nonenzyme proteins were electrophoretically analyzed in red-backed voles of the genus Clethrionomys. In total, 25 loci were interpreted. Gene-geographic variation was studied and indices of genetic variability and differentiation were determined. By the distribution of electrophoretic variants of hemoglobin, C. rutilus was shown to be divided into two geographical groups (northern and southern). A low level of genetic differentiation was revealed in the island isolates of C. rutilus and C. rufocanus. Separation of C. rufocanus, C. rex, and C. sicotanensis into a superspecies complex was confirmed. A study of differential G- and C-banding on C. rutilus and C. rufocanus chromosomes did not reveal intraspecific variation of autosomes. In these species, karyotypes of voles from Kamchatka Peninsula were studied for the first time. They appeared to be morphologically similar to the karyotypes continental voles by both autosomes and sex chromosomes.

[Genetic studies of house mice from the hybrid area of the Primorskii Region]. / Geneticheskie issledovaniia domovykh myshei v gibridnoi zone Primorskogo kraia.

Cytogenetic and allozyme differentiation of house mice Mus musculus L. was studied in 21 samples of Primorskii krai (region) from 1984 to 1998. The use of Q-H- and C-banding made it possible to reveal a high variation in the content and distribution of pericentromeric heterochromatin and high frequencies of marker autosomes 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, and 17-19 in the karyotypes of mice from some samples. The presence of marker alleles that are typical of the subspecies groups castaneus and musculus was shown for protein loci Idh, Sod-1, Aat-1, and Hbb. The data obtained indicate that the fauna of house mice of Primorye is characterized by subspecific mosaicism and hybrid origin. Apparently, subspecies M. m. castaneus, M. musculus ssp., M. M. homourus, and M. m. gansuensis contributed, to different degrees, to the formation of this fauna.

[Allozyme differentiation of various chromosomal forms of the spotted suslik (Spermophilus suslicus Guld, 1770, Rodentia)]. / Allozimnaia differenttsiatsiia raznokhromosomnykh form krapchatogo suslika (Spermophilus suslicus Guld, 1770, Rodentia).

Eleven enzyme and four nonenzyme protein systems controlled by 25 loci were electrophoretically analyzed in the allopatric karyotypic forms (2n = 34 and 2n = 36) of the spotted souslik Spermophilus suslicus. Genetic variability and differentiation for the forms with different chromosome sets were estimated. Two discriminative loci (Alb and Tf) for the studied chromosome forms were found. The UPGMA dendrogram was constructed, which summarizes genetic (allozyme) relationships found for the forms of the spotted souslik with different chromosome sets. Subdividing the species into two karyotypic forms was shown to be followed by differentiating these forms at the allozyme level.

[Genetic differentiation of house mice in the south of the Soviet Far East]. / Geneticheskaia differentsiatsiia domovykh myshei iuga Dal'nego Vostoka SSSR.

Electrophoretic analysis of 24 loci specifying a number of enzymatic and non-enzymatic proteins was carried out in populations of Primorye house mice. No variability in Ldh-B, Ldh of testis, fumarase, alpha-Gpd, Aat-2, Sod-2, Gp-1, GP-3 was found. Distribution of the same main variant in all samples is represented by Sdh, Mor-1, Mor-2, Ldh-A, GP-2, Est-D, Gpd-x, Pgl, Ldr and alb. The second variant of these loci was found in one or two animals. Two and more variants encountered with significant frequency were detected for Id-1, Hbb, Aat-1, Est-1, Est-2, Mod-2. Hybrid origin of the Primorye house mouse is assumed. Genogeography of Id-1, Hbb, Aat-1 and Est-1 points to involvement of the Mus-2C castaneus form in development of their gene pool, the effect of Mus-2A musculus being not excluded. Genogeography of Sod-1 confirms the involvement of both castaneus and musculus. Intensive mutual penetration of these forms (more than 300 km from north to south) indicates that they did not achieve the level characteristic of musculus and domesticus in the course of their differentiation.

Cytogenetic and biochemical comparison of Mus musculus and Mus hortulanus.

Two chromosome markers of Mus hortulanus are described: a dotted Y chromosome exceeding half of the length of autosome 19, and the 'domesticus' type of C-banding in the X chromosome. In Mus musculus from distant regions of the USSR (more than 200 specimens of various subspecies), the Y chromosome is equal to autosome 19, and the X chromosome is of the 'molossinus' type. Specific biochemical characteristics of house mice of the USSR are shown.