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Background/Objectives: Lebanon, one of the oldest centers of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) cultivation, is home to a rich diversity of local grape varieties. This biodiversity is linked to the country's unique topography and millennia of cultural history. However, the wine industry primarily utilizes international varieties, putting many local varieties at risk of extinction. Methods: In this study, we analyzed 202 samples from old vineyards, home gardens, and private collections using 21 microsatellite markers to assess their identity and genetic diversity. Results: A total of 67 different genotypes were identified, with 34 not matching any existing profiles in the consulted databases, based on comparisons with the European Vitis Database, the Vitis International Variety Catalogue (VIVC), and the databases established in two previous studies conducted in Armenia and Lebanon. Cluster analyses revealed Lebanon's rich diversity of local grape varieties, highlighting cases of synonymy, homonymy, and misnaming. All loci were polymorphic, with 228 alleles and an average of 11.4 alleles being detected. The highest number of alleles was observed at the VVIV67 locus (19 alleles), while the lowest was found at the VVIQ52 and VVIN73 loci (5 alleles). The observed heterozygosity was 0.732, slightly below the expected value of 0.757, with gene diversity varying among the markers. Conclusions: Of the 67 genetic profiles identified, 34 are absent from national and international databases, underscoring Lebanon as a hotspot for grapevine genetic diversity. This unique genetic variation, which includes several synonyms due to geographic isolation, could provide valuable opportunities for producing distinctive wines and emphasizes the need for further research and documentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction The Mediterranean region is identified as one of the world's 36 biodiversity hotspots, with the Earth's most biologically rich yet threatened areas (Myers 1990; Mittermeier et al. 1999, 2004; [...], The Mediterranean region is identified as one of the world's 36 biodiversity hotspots, with the Earth's most biologically rich yet threatened areas. Lebanon is a hub for Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) biodiversity with 9116 characterized plant and animal species (4486 fauna and 4630 flora). Using DNA barcoding as a tool has become crucial in the accurate identification of species in multiple contexts. It can also complement species morphological descriptions, which will add to our understanding of the biodiversity and richness of ecosystems and benefit conservation projects for endangered and endemic species. In this study, we create the first reference library of standard DNA markers for mammals and plants in the EMR, with a focus on endemic and endangered species. Plant leaves were collected from different nature reserves in Mount Lebanon, and mammal samples were obtained from taxidermized museum specimens or road kills. We generated the 12S rRNA sequences of 18 mammal species from 6 orders and 13 different families. We also obtained the trnL and rbcL barcode sequences of 52 plant species from 24 different families. Twenty-five plant species and two mammal species included in this study were sequenced for the first time using these markers. Key words: Lebanon, biodiversity, Mediterranean basin, conservation, ancient DNA, DNA barcoding. La region mediterraneenne est l'une des 36 zones riches en biodiversite dans le monde ; ces regions de la terre etant parmi les plus riches biologiquement mais en meme temps les plus menacees. Le Liban constitue un point chaud pour la biodiversite dans la Mediterranee orientale avec ses 9116 especes vegetales et animales repertoriees, dont la faune compte 4486 especes et la flore4630especes. Lecodage a barres del'ADN est devenu un outil essentiel pour l'identification juste des especes dans de nombreux contextes. Il peut aussi s'averer complementaire aux descriptions morphologiques des especes, ce qui contribuera a notre connaissance de la biodiversite et de la richesse de ces ecosystemes tout en etant utile pour des projets de protection des especes menacees ou indigenes. Dans cette etude, les auteurs ont cree une premiere banque de reference pour des marqueurs de l'ADN standard chez les especes de mammiferes et de plantes de la Mediterranee orientale, l'emphase etant placee sur les especes indigenes ou menacees. Des feuilles ont ete prelevees dans differentes reserves naturelles de la region du Mont Liban, tandis que des echantillons de mammiferes ont ete obtenus a partir de specimens taxidermises dans des musees ou d'animaux tues sur la route. Les auteurs ont genere des sequences pour l'ARNr 12S chez 18 especes de mammiferes appartenant a 6 ordres et 13 familles differentes. Ils ont egalement obtenu des sequences pour les codes a barres trnL et rbcL apartir de 52 especes vegetales appartenant a 24 familles. Vingt-cinq especes vegetales et deux especes de mammiferes incluses dans ce travail ont ete sequencees pour la premiere fois a l'aide de ces marqueurs. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cle's : Liban, biodiversite, bassin mediterraneen, conservation, ADN ancien, codage a barres de l'ADN.

The Caucasian Squirrel, Sciurus anomalus, is the only representative of the Sciuridae family in the Eastern Mediterranean region. In this study, the mitochondrial genome of the Sciurus anomalus species was generated, and we investigate its phylogenetic position within the Sciuridae family. The generated mitogenome sequence is 16,234 bp. It is composed of a control region and a conserved set of 37 genes containing 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes and 2 rRNA genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Egyptian mongoose, Herpestes ichneumon, is the only extant mongoose in Europe, with populations still distributed in Africa and the Middle East. In this study, we present the first mitochondrial genome sequence of Herpestes ichneumon and we investigate its phylogenetic position within Feliformia suborder. The resultant mitogenome sequence is 16,775 bps, composed of a conserved set of 37 genes containing 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and a control region. Our results represent a valuable resource for further phylogeographical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The marbled polecat, Vormela peregusna , is one of the least studied species in the Mustelidae family, especially with regard to phylogeography and genetic diversity. In this study, we determined the mitochondrial genome sequence of V. peregusna and investigated its position within the Mustelidae phylogeny. The generated mitogenome is 15,982 bp in length; it consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and a control region., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper., (© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

The Caucasian Squirrel, Sciurus anomalus , is the only representative of the Sciuridae family in the Eastern Mediterranean region. In this study, the mitochondrial genome of the Sciurus anomalus species was generated, and we investigate its phylogenetic position within the Sciuridae family. The generated mitogenome sequence is 16,234 bp. It is composed of a control region and a conserved set of 37 genes containing 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes and 2 rRNA genes., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s)., (© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

The Egyptian mongoose, Herpestes ichneumon , is the only extant mongoose in Europe, with populations still distributed in Africa and the Middle East. In this study, we present the first mitochondrial genome sequence of Herpestes ichneumon and we investigate its phylogenetic position within Feliformia suborder. The resultant mitogenome sequence is 16,775 bps, composed of a conserved set of 37 genes containing 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and a control region. Our results represent a valuable resource for further phylogeographical studies., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s)., (© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)