Savic I R, Nevo E
Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Belgrade, Yugoslavia.
Prog Clin Biol Res. 1990;335:129-53.
The evolutionary history of Spalacidae is reviewed taxonomically, paleontologically and neontologically. We focused selectively on taxonomy, biogeography, paleontology and evolutionary origins, chromosomal evolution, population biology and the species concept in Spalacidae. We concluded that the taxonomy of Spalacidae needs a modern revision based on chromosome and molecular-genetic data, beside that of morphology, physiology and behavior. The subterranean Spalacidae originated probably from a muroid-cricetoid stock in Asia Minor or vicinity, in Upper Oligocene times and adaptively radiated underground in the Balkans, steppic Russia and Middle East, extending into North Africa. The major important evolutionary feature in peripatric or allopatric speciation and adaptive radiation was karyotypic evolution, primarily through Robertsonian changes. More than 30 karyotypes (2n = 38-62; NF = 72-124) earlier represented by 8 classical species, occur primarily allopatrically or parapatrically, with only marginal sympatry, across the Eastern Mediterranean range of the family. Most karyotypes represent biospecies adapted at multiple organizational levels to their different ecologies. A short overview is presented on population biology and life history parameters of the Spalacidae which result in K-selected, "equilibrium species". Speciation in action and adaptive radiation embracing molecular and organismal adptations to the subterranean unique ecotope and to four different climatic regimes, have been multidisciplinarily studied in the Israeli Spalax ehrenbergi superspecies.
本文从分类学、古生物学和现代生物学的角度，对鼹形鼠科的进化历史进行了综述。我们有选择地聚焦于鼹形鼠科的分类学、生物地理学、古生物学和进化起源、染色体进化、种群生物学以及物种概念。我们得出结论，鼹形鼠科的分类学除了基于形态学、生理学和行为学之外，还需要基于染色体和分子遗传学数据进行现代修订。地下生活的鼹形鼠科可能起源于渐新世晚期小亚细亚或其附近的鼠形仓鼠类种群，并在巴尔干半岛、俄罗斯草原和中东地区向地下适应性辐射，延伸至北非。在周边隔离或异域物种形成以及适应性辐射过程中，主要的重要进化特征是核型进化，主要通过罗伯逊易位变化实现。超过30种核型（2n = 38 - 62；NF = 72 - 124），早期由8个经典物种代表，主要以异域或邻域分布为主，仅有边缘区域的同域分布，横跨该科在东地中海的分布范围。大多数核型代表了在多个组织水平上适应不同生态环境的生物物种。本文简要概述了鼹形鼠科的种群生物学和生活史参数，这些参数导致了K选择的“平衡物种”。在以色列的埃氏鼹形鼠超物种中，已经从多学科角度研究了正在进行的物种形成以及包括分子和生物体对地下独特生态位和四种不同气候条件的适应性辐射。
