[Macromutations and evolution: fixation of Goldschmidt's macromutations as species and genus characters. Papillomatosis and appearance of macrovilli in the rodent stomach].

The cardiac portion of the stomach is lined with macrovilli in a few rodent genera. These are Mystromys (Cricetinae, Cricetidae), Myospalax (Myospalacinae, Cricetidae), Tachyoryctes (Tachyoryctinae, Cricetidae), and Cryptomys (Bathyergidae). The macrovilli favor the development of symbiotic flora and are called symbiovilli.

Molecular phylogeny of the marmots (Rodentia: Sciuridae): tests of evolutionary and biogeographic hypotheses.

There are 14 species of marmots distributed across the Holarctic, and despite extensive systematic study, their phylogenetic relationships remain largely unresolved. In particular, comprehensive studies have been lacking. A well-supported phylogeny is needed to place the numerous ecological and behavioral studies on marmots in an evolutionary context.

[Intrapopulation autosomal polymorphism in the common vole Microtus arvalis from the Transcaucasian region].

The broad autosomal polymorphism in form obscurus of common voles Microtus arvalis from the Transcaucasian region that is associated with the variation of subtelocentric chromosome pair 5, as well as the mechanism and evolutionary significance of this polymorphism, are discussed. Based on the morphological analysis of heterozygotes for chromosome pair 5 after differential G-, C-, and Ag-NOR-banding and on the measurements of homologues, the following conclusion has been made. The occurrence of the acrocentric chromosome 5 is the result of a double chromosomal rearrangement: a pericentric inversion and a duplication of the chromosomal material.

[Genetic connections and differentiation of ground squirrels Marmotinae Pocock, 1923 (Rodentia, Sciuridae) from Palearctics].

Genetic distances between eight species of sousliks (Spermophilus) and five species of marmots (Marmota) were estimated on the basis of 39 biochemical loci. All taxa were shown to be genetically discrete. The genetic differentiation was minimal (Pfd = 11.

[Allozyme differentiation of various chromosomal forms of the spotted suslik (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.