First confirmed record of Microtus rossiaemeridionalis from Iran

Microtus, the most speciose genus in the tribe Arvicolini, inhabits boreal and temperate regions. Despite recent increase in taxonomic research, the precise species diversity of Microtus voles in Iran is still unclear due to insufficient molecular work. This study aimed to identify Microtus species in West Azerbaijan province, near Turkey and Armenia, by sequencing the mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) gene from 20 vole specimens. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed the occurrence of Microtus rossiaemeridionalis in Iran for the first time, which has actually been predicted for the western side of Urmia (West Azerbaijan province) on the basis of habitat modelling. This study enhances the understanding of Microtus diversity in Iran, highlighting the need for comprehensive fieldwork and molecular assessments to accurately delineate rodent species composition in the country.