An Invisible Boundary between Geographic Ranges of Cryptic Species of Narrow-Headed Voles (Stenocranius, Lasiopodomys, Cricetidae) in Transbaikalia

The narrow-headed vole species complex is represented by Lasiopodomys gregalis and L. raddei, which probably diverged at the beginning of Middle Pleistocene came into secondary contact in Transbaikal region. current study analyzed mitochondrial gene cytochrome b, nuclear BRCA1, microsatellite data was aimed clarifying geographic ranges these searching for hybrid zones between them. It turned out that range raddei almost surrounded gregalis; are strictly parapatric without a single detected sympatry zone. Although none tested populations did BRCA1 genotyping contradict pattern revealed cytb, loci showed traces hybridization several populations. Results distribution modeling indicated characterized quite similar (caused same environmental factors), but nevertheless significantly different, ecological preferences.