Sicista strandi Formozov 1931

Sicista strandi Formozov 1931, Folia Zool. Hydrob. Riga, 3: 79.

Type Locality: Russia, Caucasus, Stavropol Krai, Karachayevo-Cherkess Region, Karachayevsk District, Uchkulan (Utschkulak), Igera, 2100 m; shown in Sokolov et al. (1989).

Vernacular Names: Strand's Birch Mouse.

Distribution: N Caucasus, north to Kursk District of S Russia; see Shenbrot et al. (1995) and Sokolov et al. (1989).

Conservation: IUCN – Lower Risk (lc).

Discussion: Reviewed by Shenbrot et al. (1995). Sokolov et al. (1989) distinguished this species from S. betulina primarily by its different karyotype. Pavlinov and Rossolimo (1987, 1998) listed S. strandi as a separate species, a hypothesis provisionally followed here. Further documentation and incorporation of other character sets is essential in order to assess whether or not strandi should be included in S. betulina .