Zaisan mole vole
The Zaisan mole vole (Ellobius tancrei), or eastern mole vole, is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is found in central Asia. Description The Zaisan mole vole is highly adapted to life underground. It grows to a head and body length of with a short tail long and weighs between . The coat is dense, soft and velvety. The face and the crown of the head are dark brown and the external ears are reduced to a fleshy ridge. The incisors are pure white, straight and long and project forward in front of the snout. The dorsal surface of the body varies in colour from sandy brown to dark greyish brown and the underparts vary from white to greyish brown. The tail is sandy brown and is tipped with a tuft of greyish-white hair. The hands and feet are broad, have small claws and are covered with white hairs. Chromosomes The karyotype is variable, with 2n = 32-54. The Y chromosome has been lost, similar to the case of E. lutescens; however, unlike in E. lutescens, both males and females have a pair of X chromosomes. Distribution and habitat The range of the Zaisan mole vole includes