Zokors are Asiatic burrowing rodents resembling mole rats. They are all members of the genus Myospalax, which is the only genus in the subfamily Myospalacinae. The genus name of Siphneus is often used, but Myospalax is technically correct. Zokors are native to much of China, Kazhakstan, and Siberian Russia.

Traditionally, zokors were thought to be closely related to either hamsters (Cricetinae) or voles (Arvicolinae). Recent molecular phylogenetic studies have demonstrated that zokors are more closely related to blind mole rats (Spalacinae)and root and bamboo rats (Rhizomyinae) in the family Spalacidae. It appears as if one of the first important evolutionary splits in muroid rodents is between burrowing forms and non-burrowing forms.

Unlike the other spalacids, which primarily use their incisors, zokors use their powerful front claws for digging. They have small eyes and no external ears. Zokors feed on plant matter such as tubers and grain.

Zokor bone is sometimes used as a more environmentally friendly alternative to tiger bone in traditional Chinese medicine. This product is called Sailonggu.

The Myospalacinae contains a single genus and 7 species.

Taxonomy

• Subfamily Myospalacinae
  • Genus Myospalax
    • Subgenus Myospalax
      • Myospalax aspalax
      • Myospalax epsilanus
      • Myospalax myospalax
      • Myospalax psilurus (May represent a distinct subgenus)
    • Subgenus Eospalax
      • Myospalax fontanierii
      • Myospalax rothschildi
      • Myospalax smithii

References

• Jansa, S. A. and M. Weksler. Phylogeny of muroid rodents: relationships within and among major lineages as determined by IRBP gene sequences. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 31:256-276.

• Norris, R. W., K. Y. Zhou, C. Q. Zhou, G. Yang, C. W. Kilpatrick, and R. L. Honeycutt. 2004. The phylogenetic position of the zokors (Myospalacinae) and comments on the families of muroids (Rodentia). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 31:972-978.

• Nowak, R. M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World, Vol. 2. Johns Hopkins University Press, London.