In this study, the morphometric variations were investigated in Farmland and Hillside populations of subterranean rodent Nannospalax xanthodon from Central Anatolia. A total of 31 parameters were measured in the skull and mandible of 35 male individuals. Multivariate analysis (MVA) of the obtained cranial data was used to determine the parameters that varied between habitats and chromosomal populations (2n = 54 and 2n = 60). Furthermore, the effect of soil hardness on the morphology of the dorsal skull of male and female individuals was investigated. As a result, habitat differences caused some morphometric variations in the skull dorsal, especially facial bones, whereas the samples with diploid chromosome number 2n = 54 and 2n = 60 were separated by eight cranial parametric measurements. Accordingly, the known effect of ecological factors on phylogenetic variations in digging animals has first discussed in Nannospalax xantodon cytotypes.

In this study, the G-bands and nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) of the 2n = 60 chromosomal form of Nannospalax nehringi from Central Anatolia (Konya) are presented. The karyotype possesses nine pairs of submetacentric and subtelosentrics and 20 pairs of acrocentric autosomes gradually decreasing in size (fundamental number = 80 and autosomal fundamental number = 76). NORs were localized in the telomeric regions of the short arms of three large pairs and one medium-sized pair of subtelocentric autosomes (nos. 1, 3, 4, 9).

-In this study, conventionally stained, C-and Ag-NOR banded karyotypes of Dahl's jird, Meriones dahli, were reported from Turkey. The species had a karyotype of 2n = 50, NFa = 74 and NF = 78. The X and Y chromosomes were submetacentrics in all specimens examined. Blocks of constitutive heterochromatin were located in the pericentromeric areas of autosomes including the X and Y chromosomes. Interstitial C-bands are also detected in the long arms of one of the largest acrocentric pairs. Nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) were located at the telomeric regions of the short arms of three submetacentrics and two acrocentrics.

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The structure of the tunnels and burrows of mole rats (genus Spalax) was examined in Central and Southeastern Anatolia in the years 2002-2009. There are two types of mounds: linear ones and scattered ones. While a one-layer tunnel structure is observed in nearly all parts of Turkey, we also found three-layer tunnels, which were made in soft and moist soil. The tunnels made in moist soil were deeper than the ones made in hard soil. We found that mole rats blend the soil with their urine and produce a sticky mud with a bad odour in order to strengthen the walls of the opened galleries.