New Records of the Afghan Vole, Blanfordimys afghanus (Rodentia: Arvicolinae) from North-East of Khorassan, Iran

Abstract

The Afghan vole had not been reported from north-eastern Iran until for the first time its presence was confirmed by examining the pellets of predatory birds from Dargaz, Kalat, Sarakhs and the vicinity of Mashhad through studying the molar teeth. By further sampling, colonies of this species were found in the periphery of Tandoureh National Park in the Kopet-dag Mountains and also in alpine region of Zoshk near Mashhad in the Binaloud Mountains.

Keywords

• arvicolinae
• binaloud mountains
• blanfordimys afghanus
• iran
• kopet-dag mountains
• tandoureh national park