Talpa orientalis talyschensis Vereschchagin, 1945 Talpidae Russell A. Mittermeier Don E. Wilson Linnaeus 1758 [1816,2148,3109,3155] Mammalia Talpidae Talpa Animalia Soricomorpha 14 609 Chordata species talyschensis    24.    Talysch Mole    French: Taupe des Talysh/ German: Talysch-Maulwurf/ Spanish: Topo de Talysch   Taxonomy. Talpa orientalis talyschensis Vereschchagin, 1945,   Talysch Mountains, Azerbaijan.  Talpa talyschensisis in subgenus Talpaand dauvidiana species group. It is sister to 7. da- vidiana. Until recently, 1. talyschensis was included in 7. levantis. These two species are similar in size and skull proportions, share identical karyotype (2n = 34), but differ in dental morphology and molecular sequences. Their most recent common ancestor lived 2-5 million years ago. Monotypic.    Distribution.SW Caspian coast between Lenkoran (Azerbaijan) and Chalus in W Mazandaran Province (Iran).   Descriptive notes.Head-body 104-114 mm (males) and 104-111 mm (females), tail 20-25 mm (males) and 21-22 mm (females), hindfoot 15-16 mm; weight 31-47 g (males) and 33-49 g (females). The Talysch Mole closely resembles the Levant Mole (1. levantis) and until recently was reported under that name. Mesostyle on M' is distinctly bifurcate in the Talysch Mole. Dental formulais13/3,C1/1,P 4/4, M 3/3 (x2) = 44. Karyotype is 2n = 34.   Habitat.Humid subtropical forests and thickets of boxwood ( Buxus sempervirens, Buxaceae) with abundant mosses from sea level to elevations up to 300 m, perhaps higher. Molehills of the Talysch Mole were reported in dry rice fields, tea plantations, and scrub along roads.   Food and Feeding.There is no specific information for this species, but the Talysch Mole is probably similar to the Levant Mole.   Breeding.There is no specific information for this species, but the Talysch Mole is probably similar to the Levant Mole.   Activity patterns.There is no specific information for this species, but the Talysch Mole is probably similar to the Levant Mole.   Movements, Home range and Social organization.There is no specific information for this species, but the Talysch Mole is probably similar to the Levant Mole.   Status and Conservation.Not assessed on The [UCN Red List.   Bibliography.Bannikova, Zemlemerova, Colangelo et al. (2015), Kry$tufek (2001a, 2001b), Lay (1967), Sokolov & Tembotov (1989), Zaitsev (1999), Zaitsev et al. (2014). 3862682305 15 610