Distribution and some features of the biology of voles of the genus Blanfordimys (Rodentia, Arvicolinae)

Abstract

The following data was acquired from literary sources and obtained by us as a result of field studies on the distribution, stationality, abundance and reproduction of voles of the genus Blanfordimys Argyropulo, 1933: Afghan vole B. afghanus (Thomas, 1912) with subspecies B. a. afghanus and B. a. balchanensis (Heptner et Shukurov, 1950), Bukhara vole B. bucharensis (Vinogradov, 1930), with subspecies B. b. bucharensis and B. b. davydovi (Golenishchev et Sablina, 1991) and Pamir vole B. juldaschi (Severtzov, 1879) with subspecies B. j. carruthersi (Thomas, 1909) and B. j. juldaschi in natural conditions on the territory of Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. According to the elevation gradient from low to high altitude, these voles are distributed as follows: Afghan, Bukhara, Pamir, respectively. The features of reproduction and postembryonic ontogenesis in captivity have also been studied. Reproduction took place year-round with low intensity: the number of newborns in the litter of all the species considered is small, 3 cubs on average, the average interval between litters is about 50 days. The young of voles living at lower altitudes (B. afghanus and B. bucharensis) develop somewhat faster compared to higher-altitude ones (B. juldaschi). In general, the studied species showed signs of slow development and delay in the appearance of the most important signs in postembryonic ontogenesis (eruption of incisors, epiphany) compared to most of the lowland representatives of the Arvicolini tribe voles. These features are more pronounced in B. j. juldaschi, living at high altitudes. Thus, considering the theory of pace-of-life syndrome (POLS), we observe a shift from a faster pace of life (r-strategy), characteristic of most lowland rodents, to a slower one (k-strategy). The vulnerability of voles of the genus Blanfordimys in the process of climate aridization and in conditions of anthropogenic pressure is noted.