Ellobius alaicus Vorontsov et al., 1969 . In Vorontsov (ed.), [The Mammals: Evolution, karyology, taxonomy, fauna], Novosibirsk, p. 127.

TYPE LOCALITY: Kirghizia, Alai Valley, between Sary-Tashem and Bardabo, 3300 m .

DISTRIBUTION: Recorded only from the Alai Mtns, S Kirghizia.

COMMENTS: Subgenus Ellobius . Included, with question, in E. talpinus by Corbet (1978c). Chromosomal data and breeding results reveal that alaicus does not belong in E. talpinus and is reproductively isolated from E. tancrei, with which it is parapatric (Corbet, 1984; Lyapunova et al., 1990, and references therein). Closely related to E. tancrei and provisionally placed in that species by Pavlinov and Rossolimo (1987).