A Cryptic Subterranean Mammal Species, the Lesser Blind Mole Rat ()-Retreated but Not Extinct

Overview

Journal Animals (Basel)

Date 2024 Mar 13

PMID 38473158

Authors

Vanja Bugarski-Stanojevic

Marko dokic

Gorana Stamenkovic

Natasa Barisic Klisaric

Oliver Stojkovic

Vida Jojic

Ivo Savic

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Blind mole rats (genus ) attract a great deal of attention because of their cancer resistance and longevity. Due to the high rate of chromosome rearrangements, 74 chromosomal forms have been discovered. The convergence of their external morphology complicates their taxonomy, and many cryptic species remain unrecognized. Thus, the European supersp. is listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species with "Data Deficient" status. It is crucial for the conservation of biodiversity to clarify its taxonomy, to recognize each cryptic species, and assign to them the correct conservation status. Of the more than 20 chromosomal forms described within , five cryptic species occur in Serbia. The most threatened among them-, described and named 50 years ago in the regions of Srem, Belgrade and Mačva-has been declared extinct in the literature, which may have negative consequences for the conservation of wildlife genetic diversity. Through five years of fieldwork and comparison of and gene segments between old, archived teeth and recently collected material, we show that is not extinct. However, its habitat has been fragmented and reduced, owing primarily to anthropogenic impact. Therefore, detailed surveillance, population-structure studies, risk assessment, and appropriate conservation measures are needed.

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