First record and genetic affiliation of the Balkan Snow Vole Dinaromys bogdanovi (Rodentia: Cricetidae) in Albania

Abstract

One individual of the rare rodent Dinaromys bogdanovi (Martino, 1922) was trapped in Prokletije Mountains, northern Albania. This is the first record of this species in Albania, and morphological data and genetic affiliation are presented. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome b) places this individual within the reported central phylogenetic lineage of the species. This first record has impacts for future conservation activities.

Keywords

• balkan peninsula
• conservation
• cytochrome b
• new record
• paleoendemics
• phylogeography.