Allozyme variation in populations of the karyotypically polymorphic vole Microtus (Terricola) thomasi (Mammalia, Rodentia) from Greece

摘要

Five distinct karyotypic forms of the vole Microlus (Terricola) thomasi are known in Greece so far: the earlier described forms "thomasi" (2n=44, FN=44) and "atticus" (2n=44, FN=46), and the more recently discovered ones with a)2n=41,42, FN=42,43,44, b)2n=40, FN=42, and c)2n=38, FN=40. The present study gives information on genetic relationships between vote populations belonging to the different karyotypic forms, based on allozyme variation. Eighteen loci were typed on cellulose acetate plates in 102 voles collected from six localities of mainland Greece, and the allelic data obtained were analysed using the biostatistical program BIOSYS-1. Populations studied show high intra- and interpopulation electrophoretic variability. A UPGMA dendrogram revealed clear separation of the "atticus" karyotype population from all others. Among the latter, two main groups exist : one including the population with the typical "thomasi" karyotype and another comprising all populations with polymorphic karyotypes. The clustering of the six populations studied is in agreement with karyological data given in recent literature.