maryam rahimi pozve

Allactaga genus belongs to the Allactaginae subfamily, Dipodidae family and Rodentia order. Iranian members of this genus include: A. elater, A. euphratica, A. williamsi, A. hotsoni, A. firouzi and A. toussi. Taxonomic status of this species, especially A. firouzi is unclear. A. firouzi is an endemic and rare rodent which has been reported exclusively from a single site in the south of Shahreza, Isfahan province. Due to the conservation status of A. firouzi that had been )and the total number of chromosome arms equals to 96 (NF=96). This indicates that chromosome number has stability in all members of Allactaga genus. Cluster analysis based on chromosomal characteristics showed that A. firouzi and A. williamsi have more affinity, while in studies of morphometric A. firouzi and A. elaer were more closely related. Accordingly, it is possible that further   chromosomal studies may be able to separate A. firouzi from A. hotsoni and thus reveals the values of this rodent as a unique species for conservation. This emphasizes the importance of chromosomal studies in addition to morphometrics, for understanding the taxonomic status of organisms, especially members of the Allactaga genus.

Keywords: Allactaga firouzi, cranial morphometric, dental morphometric, karyotype, chromosomal characteristics.