Rodent fauna of the western Golestan Province in northeast Iran

Golestan province is located in northeastern Iran, southeast of the Caspian Sea, a region thought to be one of the most important refuge areas during glacial periods. During three years of fieldwork in the area, 13 species of rodents belonging to five families were identified including: Muridae (Rattus rattus, Rattus norvegicus, Mus musculus, Apodemus hyrcanicus, Apodemus uralensis, Apodemus witherbyi, Rhombomys opimus, Nesokia indica), Dipodidae (Allactaga elater, Pygeretmus pumilio), Gliridae (Glis glis), Cricetidae (Cricetulus migratorius), and Hystricidae (Hystrix indica). Standard external morphologic and morphometric characters, including cranial and dental, are given