[Correspondence analysis and combination of molecular genetic and morphological data in zoological systematics].

A new algorithmic approach is proposed for correspondence analysis of different types of data in zoological systematics. The algorithm is tested on actual data. A high degree of correspondence is shown for morphometric and genetic distances in the tested set of species. Two directions of variation in both character spaces have clearly appeared. The first direction discriminates families; the second discriminates orders. The characters responsible for these differences have been revealed. After uniting both distance matrixes, the morphological one and the molecular genetic one, into a single matrix, and displaying the summarized distances between species on a plane, the configuration of species remained principally unchanged. The principal directions of variations were preserved and marked the differences between orders, families, and genera.

[Genetic diversity of flat-headed vole (Alticola strelzowi (Kastschenko, 1899)) inferred from cytochrome b variation].

Variation of the cytochrome b gene fragment was examined in 27 flat-headed voles Alticola strelzowi from different parts of the species range. A total of 15 haplotypes were described, while the species as a whole was characterized by low levels of genetic differentiation and polymorphism. The haplotypes fell into three haplogroups, one of which corresponded to the subspecies A. s. strelzowi, and the other two, to A. s. desertorum. Based on different index values, the level of genetic polymorphism in the later subspecies was considered to be higher than in the first one. Phylogeographic analysis suggested post-glacial dispersal of flat-headed voles from a single refugium located in Western Altai. Using different techniques, relatively recent colonization of the Central Altai territory was demonstrated (subspecies A. s. strelzowi), which determined low level of genetic variation in this territory.

[Morphological variability of Microtus oeconomus pallas (Rodentia, Rrvicolidae) from Baikal region].

The analysis of morphological variability of the ten samples of Microtus oeconomus from islands of Baikal and adjacent regions gas shown, that island samples differ from continental ones by complex of parameters, defining proportions of a skuul, mainly, proportions of an auditory region. Island samples also differ higher indexes of complexity and asymmetry of morphotypes of the third upper molar. An environment of the Baikal islands differ absence of the damp habitats preferred Microtus oeconomus, and also colder microclimate that has caused forming original morphological character of island micropopulations.

[Ectoparasites of the zokor Myospalax myospalax (Rodentia) in northern Altai]. / Ektoparazity Altaiskogo tsokor (Myospalax myospalax) s severnogo Altaia.

Following ectoparasites have been recorded on the zokor in the Northern Altay: specific fleas--Ctenophthalmus dilatatus, Rhadinopsylla ioffi, Brachyctenonotus myospalacis; a flea distributed on various rodents; ixodid ticks--Ixodes crenulatus, I. persulcatus; gamasid mites--Hirstionyssus myosplalacis. The C. dilatatus carried hypopi of acaroid mites.