Spalax

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Spalax
Greater blind mole-rat (S. microphthalmus)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Spalacidae
Subfamily: Spalacinae
Genus: Spalax
Güldenstädt, 1770
Type species
Güldenstädt
, 1770
Species

Spalax antiquus

Spalax arenarius

Spalax giganteus

Spalax graecus

Spalax istricus

Spalax microphthalmus

Spalax uralensis

Spalax zemni

Spalax is a

Spalacinae (blind mole-rats). It is one of two extant genera in the subfamily Spalacinae, alongside Nannospalax.[2]

Species in this genus are found in

western & central Asia.[3] They are completely blind and have a subterranean lifestyle.[4]

Taxonomy

Prior to 2013, Spalax was widely considered the only member of Spalacinae, with all blind mole-rat species being grouped within it. However, phylogenetic and morphological evidence supported some of the species within it forming a distinct lineage that diverged from the others during the Late Miocene, when a marine barrier formed between Anatolia and the Balkans. These species were reclassified into the genus Nannospalax, making Spalax one of two extant spalacine genera.[2]

Species of genus Spalax

References

Further reading

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