NEW SPECIES OF RED-BACKED VOLE (MAMMALIA: RODENTIA: CRICETIDAE) IN FAUNA OF RUSSIA: MOLECULAR AND MORPHOLOGICAL EVIDENCES

The new species for the fauna of Russia, Hokkaido red-backed vole (Myodes rex), has been identified at the south of Sakhalin Island (Dolinsk District). Its identification was reliably confirmed by molecular and morphological methods. Undoubtedly, this species is much more widespread in islands of the Far East. Some records of M. sikotanensis from Sakhalin including the so-called “microtinus ” form, actually, should be reidentified as M. rex. The voles with complex molars from Shikotan Island and probably those from Zelenyi ( = Sibotsu) Island also belong to M. rex