Original reports
LU Liang, JIANG Wei, LIU Rong-rong, LI Wei, ZHU Zhi-yong, Paerhati, Bolati, WANG Qin-yan, CHEN Zhi-gang, LIU Yun-xiang, LIU Jing-li, AN Wen-yan, FENG Yu-ming, Fulati, Paerhati, YANG Ting-xiang, HU Jun, XIAN Jun, LIU Qi-yong
Objective To investigate the rodents species diversity along the border area of China and Kazakhstan, and provide supporting data for the surveillance and control of rodent borne diseases. Methods Rodents were collected with trapping method at seven counties/districts and area in Yili, Boertala, Tacheng and Karamay. Rodents species were then identified with DNA barcodes. Results Totally 174 samples of small mammal were collected from three kinds of habitats, including 16 species of rodents belonging to Muridae, Cricetidae, Dipodidae, Gliridae and Sciuridae, and one shrew species of Soricidae. With the DNA barcoding method, samples belonging to two vole species(Microtus arvalis and M. gregalis) with similar morphologic characters were identified correctly. Gerbil samples recognized morphologically as Meriones meridianus were different genetically from M. meridianus from Eastern China. Conclusion High diversity of rodent species were found in alpine forests meadows and desert steppe habitats. The genetic distances between M. meridianus from northern Xinjiang and other areas of China are so profound that suggests there are cryptic species.