Bazhenov Yu.А., Pavlenko M.V.
Zoologicheskiy zhurnal 2020; 99(6): 706–715
The ranges of all three zokor (Myospalax) species, the little-studied underground rodents, are described in southeastern Transbaikalia, Russia, based on the results of special expeditions. Myospalax aspalax inhabits only the Onon River basin, M. psilurus populates the forest steppe in the Argun River basin and the upper reaches of Borzya River (a tributary of Onon River), while M. armandii is known only from the Klichkinsky Mountain Ridge. The distribution area of M. armandii is very small (less than 2000 km2) and isolated from the other parts of the range (in China). The zokor species in the region are shown to be parapatric, with no sympatry being involved. The ranges of M. psilurus and M. armandii are the closest, the distance between the closest settlements being less than 5 km. Reduction in the zokor distributions is observed in Transbaikalia. It is advisable to include M. armandii in the Red Data list of Russia.
