Talpa ognevi, Stroganov, 1944

Russell A. Mittermeier & Don E. Wilson, 2018, Talpidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 8 Insectivores, Sloths and Colugos, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 52-619 : 610

25.

Ognev’s Mole

Talpa ognevi

French: Taupe d'Ognev / German: Ognev-Maulwurf / Spanish: Topo de Ognev

Taxonomy. Talpa romana ognevi Stroganov, 1944 ,

Bakuriani, Borzhomskiy Rayon, Rus- sia.

Talpa ognevt is in subgenus Talpa and cau- casica species group. Molecular analyses showed that 7. caucasica consists of two cryptic species that diverged 2-5-3 million years ago. These species seemingly correspond to two cytotypes retrieved in earlier studies. Talpa ognevi was previously recognized as the most distinct subspecies of caucasica based on morphological grounds. Monotypic.

Distribution. SE Black Sea coast in NE Turkey (Hopa district) and adjacent Georgia (further inland to upper reaches of Kura River); distribution is loosely defined, particularly its N border.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 134-142 mm, tail 20-26 mm, hindfoot 18-20 mm; weight 62-91 g. Secondary sexual dimorphism in size is slight, and male Ognev’s Moles are only 5% heavier than females. Pelage is blackish gray or black. Yellow spots were reported on snout, chest, and throat of a specimen from Turkey. Pelvis is cecoidal. Skull has robust rostrum. Dental formulais 13/3, C1/1,P 4/4, M 3/3 (x2) = 44. Upper molars are massive. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 38, FN = 66, and FNa = 62; largest chromosome is bi-armed (acrocentric in the Caucasian Mole, T. caucasica ).

Habitat. Gardens, fields, and woodland with humid soils. Ognev’s Mole is mainly restricted to coastal lowlands and river valleys, while the Levant Mole (7. levantis ) inhabits mountains further inland.

Food and Feeding. There is no specific information forthis species, but Ognev’s Mole is probably similar to the Caucasian Mole.

Breeding. There is no specific information for this species, but Ognev’s Mole is probably similar to the Caucasian Mole.

Activity patterns. There is no specific information for this species, but Ognev’s Mole is probably similar to the Caucasian Mole.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Not assessed on The [UCN Red List.

Bibliography. Bannikova, Zemlemerova, Colangelo et al. (2015), Krystufek & Vohralik (2001), Sokolov & Tembotov (1989).

Figures

22. Altai Mole (Talpa altaica), 23. Pere David’s Mole (Talpa davidiana), 24. Talysch Mole (Talpa talyschensis), 25. Ognev’s Mole (Talpa ognevi), 26. Caucasian Mole (Talpa caucasica), 27. Levant Mole (Talpa levantis), 28. Balkan Mole (Talpa stankovici), 29. Blind Mole (Talpa caeca), 30. Roman Mole (Talpa romana), 31. Iberian Mole (Talpa occidentalis), 32. European Mole (Talpa europaea), 33. Aquitanian Mole (Talpa aquitania), 34. Japanese Mountain Mole (Oreoscaptor mizura), 35. Ussuri Mole (Mogera robusta), 36. Large Japanese Mole (Mogera wogura), 37. Small Japanese Mole (Mogera imaizumii), 38. Sado Mole (Mogera tokudae), 39. Echigo Mole (Mogera etigo), 40. Senkaku Mole (Mogera uchidai), 41. Insular Mole (Mogera insularis), 42. Kano’s Mole (Mogera kanoana), 43. La Touche’s Mole (Mogera latoucher), 44. Himalayan Mole (Ewroscaptor micrurus), 45. Greater Chinese Mole (Euroscaptor grandis), 46. Long-nosed Mole (Euroscaptor longurostris), 47. Kloss’s Mole (Euroscaptor klosst), 48. Kuznetsov’s Mole (Euroscaptor kuznetsovi), 49. Orlov’s Mole (Euroscaptor orlovi), 50. Vietnamese Mole (Euroscaptor subanura), 51. Small-toothed Mole (Euroscaptor parvidens), 52. Malaysian Mole (Euroscaptor malayanus), 53. White-tailed Mole (Parascaptor lewcurus), 54. Short-faced Mole (Scaptochirus moschatus)

Distribution. SE Black Sea coast in NE Turkey (Hopa district) and adjacent Georgia (further inland to upper reaches of Kura River); distribution is loosely defined, particularly its N border.