| Abstrakt: |
Simple Summary: Due to adaptations to a completely subterranean lifestyle, blind mole rats have become an interesting research model for longevity and cancer resistance. The lesser blind mole rat from the genus Nannospalax is additionally characterized by extensive chromosomal changes, with 74 chromosomal forms described. As a result of these changes and of their morphological similarity, their taxonomy is unclear; consequently, many unrecognized species are endangered due to habitat fragmentation and reduction. Their official conservation status is still undefined due to insufficient data. Among the 25 chromosomal forms of N. leucodon in Europe, five have been identified as completely reproductively isolated and genetically divergent cryptic species in Serbia. The most endangered, N. l. syrmiensis, which was described 50 years ago as a group of populations endemic to Serbia, has been declared extinct in the literature. Using nucleotide comparison of two mitochondrial gene segments between old, archived and recently sampled material, we provide evidence that N. l. syrmiensis is not extinct. However, it has disappeared in a large part of its former range, mainly due to urbanization, invasive agriculture, and treatment as a pest. In order to preserve biodiversity, detailed monitoring, population-structure studies, risk assessment and appropriate conservation measures are required. Blind mole rats (genus Nannospalax) attract a great deal of attention because of their cancer resistance and longevity. Due to the high rate of chromosome rearrangements, 74 Nannospalax chromosomal forms have been discovered. The convergence of their external morphology complicates their taxonomy, and many cryptic species remain unrecognized. Thus, the European N. leucodon 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 N. leucodon, five cryptic species occur in Serbia. The most threatened among them—N. l. syrmiensis, 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 16SrRNA and MT-CYTB gene segments between old, archived teeth and recently collected material, we show that N. l. syrmiensis 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
