Blanfordimys bucharensis (Vinogradov 1930)

[Microtus] bucharensis Vinogradov 1930, Rukovodstvok opredeleniyu gryzunov Srednei Azii [Key to Determine Rodents of Central Asia]: 45.

Type Locality: Tajikistan, Zeravshan Range, 8 km S Pendzhikent, near village of Zivan, 2200 m.

Vernacular Names: Bucharian Vole.

Synonyms: Blanfordimys bucharicus (Vinogradov 1931); Blanfordimys davydovi Golenishchev and Sablina 1991 .

Distribution: Mountains of SW Tajikistan, possibly N Afghanistan; limits unresolved.

Conservation: IUCN – Lower Risk (nt).

Discussion: Reviewed by Gromov and Erbajeva (1995). Ellerman (1941) listed bucharensis as species, but it is usually included in afghanus (Corbet, 1978 c; Ellerman and Morrison-Scott, 1951; Ognev, 1964; Pavlinov and Rossolimo, 1987). Morphometric analyses and chromosomal complement (2n = 48, FN = 52) indicate that bucharensis is distinct, with two morphological and geographical components, one newly described as the subspecies davydovi (Golenishchev and Sablina, 1991) . See Pavlinov and Rossolimo (1987:195) for use of bucharensis instead of bucharicus .