[Biochemical variability and genetic divergence of the palearctic voles (Arvicolidae): subgenus subterranean voles Terricola, true lemmings Lemmus Link, 1795, pied lemmings Dicrostonyx Gloger, 1841, steppe lemmings Lagurus Gloger, 1842, and mole voles Ellobius Fischer von Waldheim, 1814].

Genetic differentiation of 35 vole species, estimated at 18 to 31 biochemical loci, allowed us to identify the following phyla of the tribe level: Lemmini, Dicrostonychini, Ellobiini, Clethrionomyini, and Microtini. Average genetic differentiation between the tribes (D'Nei = 0.977) corresponds to separation of the phylogenetic branches in the middle Pleistocene. Tribe Lagurini was shown to be contained within Cletrionomyini. Ondatrini was the first branch that diverged from the common stem in the Miocene (D = 1.563), prior to the formation of the Arvicolidae family. Distribution of genetic distances indicates that family radiations comprised two stages, tribal (Pliocene) and specific (Pleistocene). Ages of the taxa, estimated by means of the molecular clock, agreed well with stratigraphic data. Marked periodicity of divergence in the family confirms the concept of punctuated evolution.