Ellobius (Ellobius) alaicus Vorontsov et al. 1969

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

Type Locality: Kyrgyzstan, Alai Valley, between Sary-Tashem and Bardabo, 3300 m.

Vernacular Names: Alai Mole Vole.

Distribution: Recorded only from the Alai Mtns, S Kyrgyzstan.

Conservation: IUCN – Endangered.

Discussion: Subgenus Ellobius . Included, with reservation, in E. talpinus by Corbet (1978 c), an assignment contradicted by chromosomal data and breeding results that reveal its closer relationship to E. tancrei, with which it is parapatric (Corbet, 1984; Lyapunova et al., 1990, and references therein); provisionally placed in that species by Pavlinov and Rossolimo (1987).