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Copyright of Mugla Journal of Science & Technology is the property of Mugla Journal of Science & Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Hybrid zones are geographic areas where individuals from distinct taxa meet, mate, and hybridize. These zones may have complex histories, but many of them originated relatively recently, during climatic oscillations in the Quaternary, following range shifts of formerly isolated, well-differentiated lineages. The Bufo bufo species group comprises four species distributed over the Western Palearctic. Whereas the contact zone between Bufo bufo and B. spinosus in western Europe has been well characterized, little is known about other species contacts. Here we focused on the contact between B. verrucosissimus and B. bufo in northeastern Türkiye, using mtDNA and microsatellite markers to describe genetic structure and patterns of admixture in the hybrid zone based on Bayesian clustering and cline analyses. Both species meet in a narrow contact zone at Rize province, with restricted introgression suggesting barriers to hybridization consistent with species status. Spatial population genetic analyses of microsatellite data pinpoint a possible enclave population of B. bufo at the Borçka district in Artvin province, isolated within the B. verrucosissimus range. The centers of the microsatellite and mtDNA-based clines are slightly displaced, with B. verrucosissimus mtDNA introgressing about 33 km W of the nuclear contact. Hybrid zone dynamics seem to be associated with range shifts mediated by Pleistocene glacial cycles and/or sex-biased dispersal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the genetic diversity, maternal origin, and population structure of Turkish Aseel chickens. The research was conducted on Aseel roosters and chicks older than one year. DNA was extracted from 96 Turkish Aseel feather samples collected from various regions of Türkiye for the study. Sample DNAs were amplified using specific primers for the D-loop region of the chicken mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The sequences were produced using the amplified DNA samples. The mtDNA D-loop regions were compared with the sequences of the same genetic area from other chicken breeds. Turkish Aseel chickens provided 34 haplotypes and 18 genuine polymorphisms across 41 distinct regions that were particular to the breed. According to the findings of the phylogenetic tree, Turkish Aseel chickens tend to establish clusters of haplogroups among themselves. Although most Turkish Aseel samples clustered individually into three clades, at least one sample has been discovered with five distinct clades. According to the phylogenetic tree and the Median Joining Network, it can be concluded that while many of the haplogroups of Turkish Aseel cluster among themselves, they have diverse maternal origins and lack breed-specific maternal lineages. This research is the first extensive study to examine genetic variability in Turkish Aseel chickens. Considering the lack of similar data on other Aseel varieties raised in different counties, the current work is a pioneering study with data on the genetic characterization of the Aseel breed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common dentex (Dentex dentex) is a commercial species of fish that is a highly valuable food source living naturally near Mediterranean and Atlantic Coasts. Therefore, monitoring and maintaining common dentex habitats are of high importance. A total of 53 specimens were collected from 6 natural habitats (from the Eastern Aegean and from the Antalya coast, which is the closest coast to the Western Mediterranean), and one aquaculture facility in the Eastern Aegean Sea. The mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI) gene was used to detect a total of 26 haplotypes. Along with the COI gene sequence, real-time PCR and high-resolution melting analyses were performed as rapid and inexpensive alternatives. Sequence analysis showed that the highest haplotype diversity was obtained from the aquaculture facility in Karaburun and Antalya Locations, Turkey. Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA)based on the haplotype frequencies resulted in 92.54% genetic variation within localities and 7.46% genetic variation between/among localities. The mean fixation index (Fst) was calculated as 0.0746 (p < 0.001). Genetic distances were primarily in collaboration with geographical distances and were efficiently confirmed by high resolution melting (HRM) analysis. The results will be valuable in monitoring and maintaining natural habitats as well as aquaculture facilities where common dentex are grown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of COMU Journal of Agriculture Faculty / ÇOMÜ Ziraat Fakültesi Dergisi is the property of Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The banana aphid, Pentalonia nigronervosa Coquerel (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is a major pest of banana, Musa spp., (Zingiberales) has worldwide distribution. This study was conducted to detect aphid species in the banana production regions of Adana, Antalya, and Mersin in Turkey. Aphid samples have been collected in total of thirty-seven locations. All the samples were identified as P. nigronervosa. Later on, molecular characterization has been done based on COI and it was recognized that the Turkish population was close to Florida and some Hawaiian genotypes. Pentalonia nigronervosa was recorded for the first time in Turkey in this study. Sustainable nature-friendly management tactics for controlling P. nigronervosa which poses less health threat to human should be developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND The Colorado potato beetle (CPB) is the most harmful pest of potato in potato cultivation regions globally. Although it is an economically important agricultural pest, the population structure and colonization route of this species in Turkey are uncertain. We used microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) markers to obtain information about the population source, structure and bio‐invasion route of CPB populations in Turkey. RESULTS: The common single mtDNA haplotype in European CPB populations was obtained in all Turkish CPB populations based on mtDNA data analysis. However, microsatellites revealed a low level of genetic variation in CPB populations. The results of microsatellite analysis [factorial correspondence analysis (FCA), Bayesian analysis of genetic population structure (BAPS), unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) dendrogram, F‐statistics and Nei's distances] indicated three groups for invasive CPB: Thrace‐Marmara and Aegean; Black Sea, Central Anatolia and Mediterranean; Northeastern Anatolia. Region‐specific alleles have been identified in regions, where commercial potato cultivation and insecticide use are intensive. CONCLUSION: The detection of a single fixed European haplotype in all Turkish populations has proved that CPB in Turkey originated from Europe as a result of a founder event occurred in European populations. Low genetic variation was due to the short time period since the spread of CPB from America to Europe. The highest number of private alleles were found in the top commercial potato cultivation region‐Central Anatolia from where the CPB populations spread to other parts of Turkey. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eight specimens of European hake, Merluccius merluccius (Linnaeus, 1758) were caught in 2021 by commercial gill net from the Eastern Black Sea coasts of Turkey. The total length of the specimens ranged from 12.3 to 22.3 cm. Mitochondrial gene regions of 16S rRNA and COI were analyzed to genetically characterize M. merluccius specimens. This record is the first confirmed report suggesting that M. merluccius has expanded its distribution range eastward in the Black Sea. The occurrence of the species at different times and in a wide depth range (20-92 m) strengthens our opinion that this species is adapted to the region. We highlight that the current status of environmental factors for a productive habitat may increase the biomass level of European hake in the long run in the Eastern Black Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is an important oilseed plant that is grown as vegetable oil source in the world and in Turkey due to its use as a quality edible oil and biodiesel raw material obtained from its seeds. In Ankara and Eskişehir Provinces, in areas where are safflower dense plantations, aphids were sampled from the leaves, stems and roots of each plant observed once or twice a week between May-June and September-October in 2015-2017. As a result of the study, it was determined that there are infested with harmful aphids in safflower plantations areas. Eight aphid species were identified morphologically; Aphis craccivora, A. fabae, Brachycaudus (Prunaphis) cardui, B. helichrysi, Myzus persicae, Uroleucon aeneum, U. carthami and U. jaceae. Brachycaudus (P.) cardui and Uroleucon aeneum were recorded on safflower for the first time. In addition, DNA barcoding of safflower associated aphids were performed for confirming the identification of aphids and COI sequences for the pest aphids were uploaded to the BOLD database. Identification key to Carthamus tinctorium-feeding aphids in Turkey based on apterous viviparous females is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taxonomy of the lacertid genus Darevskia has been complex since the first morphology-based studies. Darevskia valentini, mostly distributed in Turkey, currently includes three subspecies, but its interspecific and intraspecific taxonomic status has so far been shaped only by morphological evaluations, without molecular phylogenetic assessments. In this study, samples from the entire distribution of this species and its closest relatives were evaluated with molecular phylogenetic analyses of a multi-marker dataset, comprised of maternally-inherited mitochondrial and biparentally-inherited nuclear markers. We discovered two previously unrecognized genetically highly divergent lineages. The distinction of these two lineages is supported by gene trees, haplotype networks, divergence time estimation and species-delimitation analyses. We discuss possible taxonomic resolutions given that the phylogenies do not seem to agree with currently accepted taxonomy. Our results advance the knowledge of the ancestry of parthenogenesis as a result of past hybridization events between parental species pairs, because the paternal origin of some parthenogenetic species lies within the new lineages discovered here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Çatalburun (Fork-nose) dogs are the members of Turkey›s indigenous gene pool. Although there are some studies on phenotypic identification of this breed, there is no study on genetic characterization. This study aimed to define the detailed morphological and genetic characteristics of this breed. For this purpose, initially, some morphological traits in 100 Çatalburun dogs were measured. Furthermore, the blood samples were taken from a total of 62 animals to identify genetic characteristics. The mean live weight was found as 20.20 kg, and the means of withers height, rump height and body length were measured as 48.2, 49.1 and 54.1 cm, respectively. In the microsatellite analysis, the mean of inbreeding coefficient (FIS) was calculated as 0.048. The observed (Ho) and the expected heterozygosity (He) values were determined as 0.743 ± 0.12 and 0.744 ± 0.11, respectively. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence analyses revealed that AHT 137 loci (12 alleles) and REN247M2 loci (4 alleles) were found to have the highest and the lowest frequencies. The highest frequencies in A and B haplogroups were found to be A18 (14.52%) and B1 (59.68%) haplotypes, respectively. The factorial similarity analysis denoted that the examined dogs may be grouped in closely-related two parent lines. Although the heterozygosity values were found to be relatively high, conversely, the mutation or nucleotide diversities were found to be low. This is the first study to comprehensively describe the genomic diversity and population structure of the Çatalburun breed. Special attentions should be taken to the protection of this breed as soon as possible [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, population genetic structure and genetic diversity of round herring in the Turkish seas were determined using sequence data of mitochondrial DNA control region. Round herring, Etrumeus golanii samples were collected from three localities along the Turkish coast of the Mediterranean Sea, (Gulf of İskenderun and Gulf of Antalya) and southern Aegean Sea (Gulf of Marmaris). Genetic variability was high both within and between the populations based on haplotype diversity values. The results have shown that each population has a high genetic diversity with unique mtDNA haplotypes with unique genetic structure. The most important factor in the emergence of this situation is that populations were considered to have migrated from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea by different fish shoals at different time intervals independently of each other. A general acceptance for explanation of high genetic diversity in the Mediterranean Lessepsian species is the lack of bottleneck due to the consecutive invasions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anatolia is characterized by a complex topological structure and a wide diversity of climatic regions. This geological context has been crucial during the evolution of the rock lizard genus Darevskia, promoting the origin of several species within this group of lizards. Our study focuses on the evolutionary history of the rudis species complex, comprised by Darevskia rudis, D. valentini and D. portschinskii, distributed across Anatolia and the Caucasus, with overlapping ranges. Previous studies have suggested the existence of ancient gene flow between these taxa, which, allied with poor sampling, led to weakly resolved phylogenies and mismatching topologies. Here, we employ two mitochondrial (cytb and ND4) and two nuclear (MC1R and C‐mos) DNA fragments, coupled with ecological niche modelling and a significant representation of the species' wide distribution range to further assess relationships. The specimens identified either as Darevskia rudis or as D. valentini appear as paraphyletic and substructured into four clades, which started to differentiate during the lower Pleistocene (around 1.3 Mya). We also differentiate genetically the recently described Darevskia bithynica and identify the Kizil River valley as a strong vicariant candidate to explain the origin of this species by allopatric speciation. Moreover, the eastern Black Sea Mountains seem to have played an important role as glacial refugium for several populations of D. rudis. Overall, the present study confirms the circum‐Black Sea as a potential Pleistocene refuge and supports the refugia‐within‐refugia hypothesis with the finding of several geographically coherent evolutionary units in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the phylogeny of Alburnus genus distributed in Turkish freshwaters was performed by analyzing mitochondrial cyt b gene (1141 bp) and COI gene (1551 bp) sequences from 1172 samples representing 112 populations of 24 species through their geographical distribution. According to our findings, 20 valid species are distributed in Turkey of which 18 have already been known. While six Alburnus species (A. battalgilae, A. istanbulensis, A. carinatus, A. schischkovi, A. nasreddini ve A. adanensis) have been synonomized, two new species (Alburnus sp.1 and Alburnus sp.2) from Dicle River and Çapraz Stream/Susurluk River have been identified. Extinct species such as A. akili and A. nicaeensis have not been observed in situ. Phylogenetic tree topologies and haplotype network of the 119 cyt b and 80 COI haplotypes detected in Alburnus species have indicated a consensus tree topology containing twenty lineages, each of corresponding to one species, and three Alburnus haplogroups corresponding to the geographical origins: Eastern Anatolia (I), Mediterranean (2) and Western & Northern Anatolia (3). The results indicate that the divergence between those haplogroups may have occurred during the Middle Miocene-Middle Pleistocene periods (from 14.9 to 5.29 million years). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The codling moth (Cydia pomonella L., Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is a well-known pest worldwide and was first reported in 1952 in Turkey. It is traditionally controlled with several pesticide applications during each apple production season. The genetic diversity of codling moths was investigated in this study, based on the partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunite I gene. Twenty-two haplotypes from 9 populations were studied. The results showed an average haplotype and nucleotide diversity of 0.835 and 0.571, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses were indicated for 2 major clades using the maximum likelihood method. Median Joining Network analysis revealed that the 2 major clades are different from each other by at least 4 mutation steps. The 1st clade consisted of specimens from Western Turkey (Çanakkale and Balıkesir), and the 2nd clade was found in all tested populations, although a mixture of insects and improperly classified specimens were also observed. Fst value estimates ranged from 0 and 0.179, suggesting genetic differentiation among some populations. Possible situations for the genetic differentiation between the 2 major clades are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bufo bufo species group includes four species distributed in the western Palearctic: B. bufo , B. eichwaldii , B. spinosus and B. verrucosissimus. Both B. bufo and B. verrucosissimus are known to occur in Turkey, but their range boundaries and the taxonomic status of B. verrucosissimus are still uncertain. In this study, we analyzed the variation in a set of morphological characters and in two mitochondrial and two nuclear DNA markers to address these questions. Phylogenetic analyses of sequence data support two main clades of common toads in Turkey, corresponding to B. bufo and B. verrucosissimus. The latter is subdivided into two allopatric subclades including populations along the Mediterranean and Black Sea coast, respectively. Discriminant analysis of morphological data showed separation among groups as defined by molecular analyses. We discuss these results and their implications for the evolutionary history of common toads in Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), is an important worldwide pest of plants belonging to the Brassicaceae family. In this study, we investigated genetic diversity of DBM populations in Brassicaceae production areas in Türkiye using the partial mtDNA CO1 gene region., Methods: We determined 43 samples from 11 different populations for haplotype variations using the partial mitochondrial DNA sequences a 684 bp fragment of the CO1 gene., Results: The results indicated that, the average haplotype diversity (Hd) was determined as 0.962 and nucleotide diversity (π) was determined as 0.557%. In neutrality tests, negative values were obtained in Tajima's D and Fu' Fs tests (Fu' Fs=-0.40, Tajima's D=-0.01). Tajima's D test was not found significant (p > 0.05). Fst value among DBM population estimates ranged from 0 to 0.631. Barcode gap distance was determined as 1.6%, but the intraspecies of genetic distance were found to be 0.15%., Conclusion: In conclusion, the presented study provided detailed and fundamental information about the genetic diversity of DBM populations in Türkiye. Further studies are needed to develop alternative pest management strategies for DBM populations integrating genetic approaches., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

The vinegar or pomace fly, Zaprionus tuberculatus Malloch, is native to the Afrotropical region but has recently colonized new areas in Turkey, Italy, Malta, Romania, and Greece. This invasive species was first detected in 2012 in Adana on banana and peach baits and is considered a potential agricultural pest in fig production in Turkey. However, the European and Mediterranean Plant Organization reports that no direct association of the fly with fruit damage has been documented so far because specimens were generally caught in traps. Specimens of Zaprionus sp. were monitored during surveys for cases of Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) and Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) damaging experimental pomegranate and fig fields in Çanakkale, where we performed the field study. To better understand the species identification, a partial sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene region was used in this study. The barcode primer pairs were used to amplify the partial COI gene. PCR products were visualized and then directly sequenced. No insertion or deletion was observed in the 637-bp COI gene region. The average nucleotide frequencies of T, A, C, and G were observed as 39.1%, 29.6%, 15.2%, and 16.1%, respectively. Intraspecific pairwise divergence was low at 0.15%. Nucleotide sequences indicated that there were 2 substitutions, an A→G at 343 and a C→T at 592 positions, respectively. In conclusion, this study presents the first molecular evidence and presence of Z. tuberculatus in Çanakkale, Turkey, which can help in resolving morphologic ambiguities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turkey has a rich freshwater biodiversity in terms of Cyprinid genus in respect to its geographical location. To elucidate the phylogeny of the Alburnoides genus, one of these genera, genetic data for the cytochrome b gene (1141 bp) was generated for 445 samples collected at 42 sampling sites across their geographical distribution. A total of 54 mitochondrial haplotypes identified were distrubuted among distinct twelve species that did not share haplotypes with each other. Pairwise sequence divergence among these species range from 1.37% (A. emineae and A. velioglui) and 10.99% (A. manyasensis and A. smyrnae). A new potential species in the River Dirgine that run into the Black Sea Basin was separated from the most closed known species with mean 6.3%. Network analysis and phylogenetic analysis indicated that all haplotypes were clustered into two major clades, which corresponded to twenty-three Alburnoides lineages, with moderate-high bootstrap supports and mutational steps, respectively. Application of a molecular clock to a Bayesian phylogeny indicates that Alburnoides diversified under the paleogeographic conditions such as tectonic uplift and faulting Miocene aged as well as climatic oscillation and sea-level fluctuations during late Miocene-middle Pleistocene. The genetic results of the present study indicated the inter-specific distance of cyt b gene sequences followed the ideal results for species identification and phylogeny of Turkish spirlins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Late blight disease caused by Phytophthora infestans is an important yield reducing, prolific, and destructive pathogen of Solanaceae family members, mainly tomato and potato. P. infestans may cause entire crop loss unless controlled by chemical and cultural control measures. The Cukurova region of Turkey is one of the main potato-producing areas of Turkey and climatic conditions incite P. infestans to develop and cause severe yield losses in the region. A total of 186 isolates of P. infestans were obtained through survey studies conducted during the 2013–2014 potato-growing seasons in the Cukurova region comprised of Hatay, Adana and Mersin provinces in Turkey. All the isolates were analyzed for their metalaxyl resistance, mating type, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotype and allozyme genotype diversity. P. infestans isolates were metalaxyl sensitive and both mating types were found in the potato-growing areas of the Cukurova region. The A1 mating type was more common (68.8%) than A2 (22.5%) and 8.6% of the P. infestans isolates were self-compatible. mtDNA haplotypes were diverse in the region and Ia was the most common type. Allozyme analyses revealed that the US-1 (Gpi 86/100) and US-6 (Gpi 100/100) patterns were prevalent in the potato-growing areas of the Cukurova region. This study contains the first data on molecular and biochemical characterization of potato late blight in Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a controversy whether Fistularia petimba or F. commersonii are same species or distinct, since it is difficult to distinguish them based on morphological characters. In the present study, the COI and Cyt b gene regions of the mitochondrial DNA were used to address this question as well as to clarify the presence F. petimba. Based on the results, genetic distance between F. petimba and F. commersonii based on COI and Cyt b sequences were found to be 0.9536 and 0.95500, respectively. Average genetic diversity between species based on COI and Cyt b were found to be 0.00487, 0.04651 respectively. According to the results, F. petimba and F. commersonii are found genetically distinct from each other. The occurrence of red cornetfish F. petimba from Turkey marine waters was also confirmed showing its rapid range expansion to the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • The first molecular study deals with Culicoides pulicaris complex in Turkey. • The phylogeny based on COI sequences is provided for the members of Culicoides subgenus. • Our results indicated the existence of two cryptic species. • These results add new information on the composition of Culicoides species. Abstract Identification of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) biting midges to species has become important due to their potential role in the transmission of arboviruses such as bluetongue virus, bovine ephemeral fever virus, Akabane virus, African horse sickness virus, epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus and Schmallenberg virus. In several studies, molecular tools, used for the identification of biting midges, revealed the presence of cryptic and undescribed species especially within Pulicaris complex. The presence of cryptic species within species complexes raise questions about their role in viral disease transmission as there are apparent differences in the vectorial capacity between closely related species. In this study, we analyzed the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene sequences of species within the Pulicaris complex present in Turkey and determined their phylogenetic relationships. Twenty-one haplotypes within the already described species C. pulicaris P1, C. lupicaris, C. lupicaris L2, C. newsteadi , C. newsteadi N1, C. punctatus , C. fagineus F2 and C. flavipulicaris were determined from the study areas. The molecular analysis revealed further two haplotypes belonging to new non-described cryptic species named as C. lupicaris L3 and Culicoides WBS corresponding to C. lupicaris and Fagineus complex which diverged by 17.9% to 25.7% and 18.7% to 31.8%, respectively from other species in the subgenus Culicoides. Genetic divergence within species was <2.0% and phylogenetic analyses of the COI dataset revealed 22 different monophyletic separate clades within two major cluster. The results of this study emphasize the applicability of COI sequences as a diagnostic marker for differentiating Culicoides species and revealing cryptic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Testudo graeca has a wide distribution under different geographic, climatic and ecological conditions, and shows high morphological differences especially in the Asian (Middle Eastern and Caucasian) parts of the range. This study investigates morphometric and genetic differentiation in the T. graeca complex in Turkey using the densest sampling to date. We sequenced two mt-DNA loci (ND4 and cyt b) of 199 samples and combined them with previously published data. Bayesian analysis yielded six well-supported clades, four of which occur in Turkey (ibera, terrestris, armeniaca and buxtoni). The armeniaca mtDNA clade locally represents a morphometrically distinct burrowing ecomorph. However, previous studies have shown that individuals outside Turkey possessing armeniaca mtDNA lack the distinctive armeniaca morphotype we observed, precluding taxonomic conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orthotomicus erosus (Wollaston, 1857) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) is one of the principal pests of Eurasian forests. Gathering data from this study concerning population genetic structure of O. erosus would help improving new strategies to control the pest by giving new insights on forest management. The aims of the study were to resolve the population genetic structure of Orthotomicus erosus which distributes Mediterranean Region of Turkey and to determine the factors (such as host pine species and geographic barriers) that contributed to the current distribution of genetic diversity. The beetle samples were collected from 20 stands from the pine forests included in the Mediterranean Region of Turkey. 67 samples were studied using mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and Neighbor Joining (NJ) and Maximum Likelihood (ML) analyses were performed. As a result of the study, thirty-seven distinct haplotypes from sixty-seven samples were determined. The species did not form any phylogroup in populations depending on the geographical location according to the NJ and ML analysis. The NJ and ML trees revealed that those O. erosus individuals that fed on different pine species did not have genetic variations. Consequently, NJ and ML analysis results reveals that different populations of the species across the Mediterranean Region were not disconnected and isolated geographically either. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rocky mouse, Apodemus mystacinus, is a rodent species distributed in Anatolia. A total of 108 specimens from 19 localities in Turkey were collected to study the molecular variation of A. mystacinus inferred from RFLP of mtDNA cytochrome b (cytb) and D-loop. MboI, HaeIII, and RsaI from cytb digestion and MboI, BfaI, and HinfI from D-loop digestion showed differentiation among the studied specimens. The UPGMA dendrogram of the combined data of cytb and D-loop indicated 3 main clades, A. m. euxinus, A. m. mystacinus, and A. m. smyrnensis, distributed in Turkey. The haplotype diversity observed in the present study was high. Furthermore, the fixation index values (FST) ranged from 0.75093 to 0.83384, which indicated high diversity among the clades. These 3 A. mystacinus clades of Turkey were also supported by analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) results, by revealing that genetic diversity was higher among groups (79.55%) than within the groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anatolia has been an important region for civilizations and agricultural revolution as a major domestication centre for livestock species. Goats ( Capra hircus) were among the earliest domesticated animals in this region. In this study, genetic diversity of Anatolian goat breeds was characterized by comparison of mitochondrial DNA hypervariable region 1. A total of 295 individuals, including 99 Anatolian Black goats, 96 Angora goats and 100 Kilis goats, were used. Haplogroup A was found to be the dominant haplogroup in all three breeds. The highest haplogroup diversity, including haplogroups A, B2, C and G, was observed in the Anatolian Black breed. Haplogroup D was only observed in Kilis and Angora goats. Haplogroup G was found in Angora and Anatolian Black breeds. The Anatolian goat breeds had high genetic diversity values and a weak phylogeographical structure. The nucleotide diversity values were found to be higher than those in previously studied goat breeds. The fact that Anatolia is a domestication centre and its geographical position as a junction of trade routes may have caused the higher genetic diversity of Anatolian goat breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scale insect Marchalina hellenica (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Margarodidae) contributes to the production of pine honey in Turkey and Greece via the honeydew excreted when it feeds on pine trees. Although it is an insect of prime economic importance, there is no information on its genetic structure. Preliminary data were obtained based on sequencing analysis of 12s rDNA and COI mtDNA gene segments from samples from four areas of Turkey. Sequences of the 12s rDNA gene segment from Greek samples available in GenBank were also included. No variability was detected concerning the COI mtDNA gene segment analysis, although 13 haplotypes were revealed based on the 12s rDNA gene segment. The most distant population was from Mudanya-Bursa Province (Turkey). Further research is necessary on the genetic structure and variability of M. hellenica populations from the two neighboring countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the lesser (Myotis blythii) and greater (M. myotis) mouse-eared bats in four colonies located in TurkishThrace and Anatolia. It looks into the analysis of the morphological differences through the study of upper jaw measurements among the sampled bats to determine the genetic diversity in particular to the Thracian and Anatolian regions. It compares the samples with the holotypes of other species, discussing the significance of the research in understanding the relationship between two species M. myotis and the Asian M. blythii.

The archaeological site of Sagalassos is located in Southwest Turkey, in the western part of the Taurus mountain range. Human occupation of its territory is attested from the late 12th millennium BP up to the 13th century AD. By analysing the mtDNA variation in 85 skeletons from Sagalassos dated to the 11th-13th century AD, this study attempts to reconstruct the genetic signature potentially left in this region of Anatolia by the many civilizations, which succeeded one another over the centuries until the mid-Byzantine period (13th century BC). Authentic ancient DNA data were determined from the control region and some SNPs in the coding region of the mtDNA in 53 individuals. Comparative analyses with up to 157 modern populations allowed us to reconstruct the origin of the mid-Byzantine people still dwelling in dispersed hamlets in Sagalassos, and to detect the maternal contribution of their potential ancestors. By integrating the genetic data with historical and archaeological information, we were able to attest in Sagalassos a significant maternal genetic signature of Balkan/Greek populations, as well as ancient Persians and populations from the Italian peninsula. Some contribution from the Levant has been also detected, whereas no contribution from Central Asian population could be ascertained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The water frog form caralitana was first described as a subspecies of Rana ridibunda by Arıkan (1988) from southwestern Turkey. Its orange ventral colour has been used as a diagnostic character since its description. After testing for a correlation between body size and ventral colour, we compared mtDNA and venter colour of adult specimens from 27 localities to assess the validity of this character for systematics of Anatolian water frogs. We mapped the distribution of each category and tested whether there is concordance between mtDNA haplotype and ventral colour of sampled individuals at the watershed level. Furthermore, we analyzed relationships between ventral colour and altitude. Size and ventral colouration were found to be significantly correlated. The distribution of orange ventral colour exhibited a complex clinal variation especially west of the Lake District where different coloured individuals are seen syntopically. In other regions, there were abrupt changes, presumably because of geographic barriers such as mountains. Our results indicate that although there is significant concordance between caralitana-specific mtDNA and orange venter colour, there are certain watersheds where the majority of sampled individuals exhibits discordance in mtDNA and ventral colouration. In all periphery regions, some degree of genetic introgression is indicated. These patterns clearly indicate gene flow between the caralitana lineage and non-caralitana lineages and is supported by lack of evidence for habitat-specific selection, the assignment of individuals from the same population into distinct clades, and the occurrence of an intermediate character between different forms in transition zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European fallow deer ( Dama dama dama) is one of the most widespread cervids, and its distribution has been heavily affected by man. At present, only one wild autochthonous population is reputed to survive in Anatolia, but its census size is dramatically decreasing. This means that a significant portion of the ancestral genetic diversity of this taxon is seriously threatened. In the present study, a portion of the mitochondrial DNA (D-loop) in 37 D. d. dama specimens from three Mediterranean sites, Turkey, the island of Rhodes (Greece), and the Italian Peninsula, and seven individuals of the Persian fallow deer, Dama dama mesopotamica, was sequenced, and the results from the data analysis are interpreted in light of current archaeozoological and biogeographical knowledge. We conclude that: (1) D. d. mesopotamica is strongly differentiated from D. d. dama, confirming the results of previous genetic studies and (2) the Rhodian populations of D. d. dama, founded by humans in Neolithic times, possess a set of mitochondrial lineages, found in no other study populations. The persistence of these haplotypes is particularly significant because human-mediated processes (e.g. domestication) usually result in genetic depletion and erosion of an ancestral genetic pool. In the case of the Rhodes' population of fallow deer, we hypothesize that, during the foundation of this population, humans unknowingly preserved a remarkable portion of the original genetic diversity of the source population(s). © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 93, 835–844. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phlebotomus papatasi (Scopoli) (Diptera: Psychodidae) is the main vector of Leishmania major Yakimoff & Schokhor; which is the cause of self-limiting cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Old World. This sandfly is found in houses, animal shelters, caves and rodent burrows. It has a large geographical range, which includes the Middle East and the Mediterranean regions. A population analysis of colony and field specimens of P. papatasi was conducted on 25 populations originating from 10 countries. The distribution of haplotypes of the maternally inherited mitochondrial cytochrome b gene were analysed to assess the population differentiation of P. papatasi. Alignment of a 442-basepair region at the 3′ end of the gene identified 21 haplotypes and 33 segregating sites from 131 sandflies. The pattern of sequence variations did not support the existence of a species complex. The median-joining network method was used to describe both the origin of the haplotypes and the population structure; haplotypes tended to cluster by geographical location, suggesting some level of genetic differentiation between populations. Our findings indicate the presence of significant population differentiation for populations derived from Syria, Turkey, Palestine, Israel, Jordan and Egypt. Knowledge of population differentiation among P. papatasi populations is important for understanding patterns of dispersal in this species and for planning appropriate control measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Miniopterus schreibersii is a polytypic bat species, with one of the widest distribution ranges among the mammals. We studied the genetic differentiation and taxonomy of this species in the transition zone between south-eastern Europe and Anatolia (in Asia), where two subspecies have been described. The results indicated a sharp genetic break between the samples from western Anatolia and south-eastern Europe and those of eastern Anatolia. In addition, the samples from western Anatolia and south-eastern Europe were seen to be reciprocally monophyletic, although the differentiation was less drastic. These patterns of genetic differentiation suggest the presence of two distinct groups within the M. schreibersii complex in the region, concordant with previous subspecific recognition. The cause of this genetic break is most likely differentiation in separate glacial refugia followed by secondary contact. However, more samples are needed to assess whether these represent different species, as well as to understand more clearly the causes of this differentiation. © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2006, 87, 577–582. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine whether the current classification of the flathead trout Salmo (Platysalmo) platycephalus, endemic to the upper reaches of the Zamanti River system, Turkey, based solely on morphology, is in congruence with molecular phylogeny, the nucleotide sequence variation in mitochondrial (control region and cytochrome b gene) and nuclear (internal transcribed spacer of rRNA genes) DNA for the flathead trout and various representatives of the genus Salmo was studied. On the basis of pair-wise genetic distance estimates, the highest differences were found to exist between the flathead trout and S. salar, S. ohridana and S. obtusirostris, whereas the differences between the flathead trout and S. trutta were minimal. All the analyses performed firmly positioned the flathead trout within the Adriatic phylogeographic lineage of S. trutta; however, the exact position of the flathead trout within the Adriatic cluster was irresolvable. Accordingly, classifying the flathead trout as a subgenus of Salmo is unjustifiable and its reclassification in a lower taxonomic category is suggested by the present study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This paper represents the first fundamental report of mtDNA diversity in Turkish indigenous donkey breeds and presents findings for the origin and genetic characterization of donkey populations dispersed in seven geographical regions in Turkey, and thus reveals insights into their genetic history. The median-joining network and phylogenetic tree exhibit two different maternal lineages of the 16 Turkish indigenous donkey populations. In this study, to analyze the mtDNA D-loop region and the origin of the maternal lineages of 16 different donkey populations, and to assess the domestication of Turkish indigenous donkeys in seven geographical regions, we investigated the DNA sequences of the D-loop region of 315 indigenous donkeys from Turkey. A total of 54 haplotypes, resulting from 35 polymorphic regions (27 parsimoniously informative and 6 singleton sites), were defined. Twenty-eight of these haplotypes are unique (51.85%), and 26 are shared among different Turkish indigenous donkey populations. The most frequent haplotype was Hap 1 (45.71%), followed by two haplotypes (Hap 4, 15.55% and Hap 7, 5.39%). The breed genetic diversity, evaluated by the haplotype diversity (HD) and nucleotide diversity (πD), for the Turkish donkey populations ranged from 0.533 ± 0.180 (Tekirdağ–Malkara, MAL) to 0.933 ± 0.122 (Aydin, AYD), and from 0.01196 ± 0.0026 (Antalya, ANT) to 0.02101 ± 0.0041 (Aydin, AYD), respectively. We observed moderate-to-high levels of haplotype diversity and moderate nucleotide diversity, indicating plentiful genetic diversity in all of the Turkish indigenous donkey populations. Phylogenetic analysis (NJT) and median-joining network analysis established that all haplotypes were distinctly grouped into two major haplogroups. The results of AMOVA analyses, based on geographic structuring of Turkish native donkey populations, highlighted that the majority of the observed variance is due to differences among samples within populations. The observed differences between groups were found to be statistically significant. Comparison among Turkish indigenous donkey mtDNA D-loop regions and haplotypes, and different countries' donkey breeds and wild asses, identified two clades and which is named Somali (Clade IV) and Nubian (Clade V) lineages. The results can be used to understand the origin of Turkish donkey populations clearly, and to resolve the phylogenetic relationship among all of the different regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]