Olfactory discrimination as an isolating mechanism in speciating mole rats

Olfactory discrimination was tested in two chromosome forms of the speciating fossorial rodent, Spalax ehrenbergi, in Israel. Females of the chromosome forms 2n=52 and 2n=58 were tested for male odour discrimination, the source of odour being either cage litter or urine. Estrous females of both forms preferred homochromosomal odours, whereas diestrous females showed no discrimination. These results suggest that olfactory discrimination may serve as a reproductive isolating mechanism in the speciation of mole rats.