Genetic structuring of Pseudopus apodus (Pallas, 1775) (Sauria: Anguidae) in north Anatolia, Turkey

• Published in: Biochemical systematics and ecology Vol. 50; pp. 411 - 418
• Main Authors: Keskin, Emre, Tok, Cemal Varol, Hayretdağ, Sibel, Çiçek, Kerim, Ayaz, Dinçer
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2013
• Subjects: 16S rRNA; Anguidae; Cytochrome b; data collection; genetic distance; haplotypes; latitude; loci; Mitochondrial DNA; Population genetics; Pseudopus apodus; ribosomal RNA; Turkey (country); 16S rRNA; Mitochondrial DNA; Pseudopus apodus; Cytochrome b; Population genetics
• ISSN: 0305-1978; 1873-2925
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bse.2013.06.003

In this study, mitochondrial 16S rRNA and cytochrome b sequences were used to infer the genetic structure of Pseudopus apodus (Pallas, 1775) populations sampled from 40° North latitude of Turkey. Mean percent G-C contents of 47.13 and 46.66 were determined for 16S rRNA and cytochrome b datasets, respectively. Two haplotypes were found using 16S rRNA dataset, with 6 variable loci and a haplotype diversity of 0.1053, while Cytochrome b dataset consist of 10 haplotypes, with 18 variable loci and a haplotype diversity of 0.1943. Also mean genetic distance was found to be eight times higher in the cytochrome b dataset. Kimura 2-parameter genetic distance matrix was evaluated together with neighbor joining tree and median joining network in order to reveal possible divergence points in both datasets. Results indicated signs of 3 regional populations, including potential cryptic species from Digor or subspecies from Samsun and Sinop. •Pseudopus apodus specimens were sampled from north of Turkey's 40° north latitude.•Cytochrome b was found more informative in determination of intraspecific variation.•Results were indicating signs of possible cryptic species and 2 sub-species.