Geographical distribution and karyotype of Nannospalax ehrenbergi (Nehring 1898) (Rodentia, Spalacidae) in Iraq

This paper concerns the karyological analysis of fourteen mole rats collected in four different localities of North-Iraq (Kurdistan Region). The result showed that they belong to the following cytotypes of Nannospalax ehrenbergi: Duhok-Bardarash Population 2n = 52, NF = 76, and NFa = 72 and Arbil-Sulaimania-Kirkuk populations 2n = 52, NF = 80 and NFa = 76. The karyotypes of the Duhok population are similar to those from Mosul, but the Arbil-Sulaimania-Kirkuk populations' karyotype represents a new chromosomal form. Their distribution extends from North Iraq to Sulaimania.