Reproductive Isolation Between Taxonomically Controversial Forms of the Gray Voles (Microtus, Rodentia; Arvicolinae): Cytological Mechanisms and Taxonomical Implications.

ABSTRACT: The formation of hybrid sterility is an important stage of speciation. The voles of the genus Microtus, which is the most speciose genus of rodents, provide a good model for studying the cytological mechanisms of hybrid sterility. The voles of the "mystacinus" group of the subgenus Microtus (2n = 54) comprising several recently diverged forms with unclear taxonomic status are especially interesting. To resolve the taxonomic status of Microtus mystacinus and Microtus kermanensis, we crossed both with Microtus rossiaemeridionalis, and M. kermanensis alone with Microtus arvalis "obscurus" and M. transcaspicus and examined the reproductive performance of their F1 hybrids. All interspecies male hybrids were sterile. Female

SUBMITTER: Bikchurina TI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8141921 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature