Morphometrics and genetics highlight the complex history of Eastern Mediterranean spiny mice

© 2020 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. Spiny mice of the Acomys cahirinus group display a complex geographical structure in the Eastern Mediterranean area, as shown by previous genetic and chromosomal studies. To better elucidate the evolutionary relationships between insular populations from Crete and Cyprus and continental populations from North Africa and Cilicia in Turkey, genetic and morphometric variations were investigated, based on mitochondrial D-loop sequences, and the size and shape of the first upper molar. The Cypriot and the Cilician populations show idiosyncratic divergence in molar size and shape, while Cretan populations present a geographical structure with at least three differentiated subpopulations, as shown by congruent distributions of haplogroups, Robertsonian fusions and morphometric variation. A complex history of multiple introductions is probably responsible for this structure, and insular isolation coupled with habitat shift should have further promoted a pronounced and rapid morphological evolution in molar size and shape on Crete and Cyprus

Distribution and conservation of Acomys cilicicus (Mammalia: Rodentia) in Turkey

Acomys cilicicus is endemic to Turkey and known from a very restricted area. The exact distribution of the species was not known up to now and the IUCN status of the species was Data Deficient (DD). To determine the exact distribution area of the species, 39 localities within the historical distribution were surveyed by using 3243 Sherman traps between 2013 and 2016. Turkish spiny mouse samples were obtained from 14 of these 39 localities and the current distribution of the species was determined. We found that the Turkish spiny mouse has two isolated populations in the area between Silifke and Erdemli with a total distribution area of about 104.5 km2, extending from sea level up to 510 m a.s.l. Population trend estimates showed a steep decline in the last 20 years from 21.42 to 2.75 as trap night index value. These data, along with the decline in habitat quality and continuing threats to the species, merit an IUCN status of Critically Endangered (CR). The main threats for this species are habitat loss due to urbanization, new motorway construction, stone quarry development, conversion of Mediterranean shrublands into agricultural fields, and afforestation. For conservation purposes, a species protection action plan is necessary immediately. © TÜBİTAK.Bülent Ecevit Üniversitesi: 2012-10-06-10 113R029 National Council for Scientific ResearchThis study was financially supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK, Grant Number: 113R029) and Bülent Ecevit University (Grant Number: 2012-10-06-10). We would like to thank Dr Faruk Çolak, Dr Muhsin Çoğal, Kürşat Kenan Kalkan, and Sercan Irmak for their help during field surveys and laboratory studies

A novel genetic lineage of Tula orthohantavirus in Altai voles (Microtus obscurus) from Turkey

Orthohantaviruses (family Hantaviridae order Bunyavirales) are emerging pathogens with a significant impact on human health. They are transmitted via aerosolized excreta of rodents which also act as reservoir hosts, constituting a unique route for dispersion. Dobrava-Belgrade and Puumala orthohantaviruses have been previously reported from Anatolia, in rodents, case reports and occasional outbreaks. We have collected rodents at several locations during a surveillance study in eastern Anatolia. The specimens were morphologically-identified and various tissues were screened via a generic orthohantavirus reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay. DNA barcoding via mitochondrial cytochrome b sequencing was performed in rodents with detectable orthohantavirus sequences. High throughput sequencing was performed for viral genome characterization. Fifty rodents were collected and identified morphologically as Microtus spp. (96%) and Apodemus spp. (4%). Orthohantavirus sequences were detected in lung and spleen or liver tissues of 4 voles (8%), barcoded as Microtus obscurus. The virus sequences were identified as Tula orthohantavirus (TULV) and near-complete genomic segments of the prototype viral genome, tentatively named as the Tula orthohantavirus-Turkey (TULV-T), could be characterized. Putative open reading frames for viral nucleocapsid and a nonstructural protein on the S segment, glycoproteins G1 and G2 on the M segment and viral replicase on the L segment were identified on the TULV-T. Several minor sequence variants were further characterized. No evidence of recombination could be detected and pairwise comparisons displayed over 95% amino acid sequence identities to various Eurasian TULV strains. Phylogenetic analyses revealed distinct clustering of all genome segments from previously-characterized TULV strains via various approaches and models. Here, TULV-T constituted a novel lineage, forming an intermediate among Asian and European TULV lineages. This report describes the initial documentation of TULV circulation and its potential reservoir in Anatolia. The extent of virus dispersion, alternate hosts or outcomes of human exposure require elucidation. © 2018 Elsevier B.V

Determination of anthropometric measurements in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in Turkish population

Introduction: In this study, we aimed to determine the values of anthropometric measurements and rates used in the evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in our country. Materials and Methods: Twenty accredited sleep centers in thirteen provinces participated in this multicenter prospective study. OSAS symptoms and polysomnographic examination and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) >= 5 cases OSAS study group; patients with AHI <5 and STOP-Bang <2 were included as control group. Demographic characteristics (age, sex, body mass index-BMI) and anthropometric measurements (neck, waist and hip circumference, waist/hip ratio) of the subjects were recorded. Results: The study included 2684 patients (81.3% OSAS) with a mean age of 50.50 +/- 0.21 years from 20 centers. The cases were taken from six geographical regions of the country (Mediterranean, Eastern Anatolia, Aegean, Central Anatolia, Black Sea and Marmara Region). Demographic characteristics and anthropometric measurements; age, neck, waist, hip circumference and waist/hip ratios and BMI characteristics when compared with the control group; when compared according to regions, age, neck, waist, hip circumference and waist/hip ratios were found to be statistically different (p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.05, respectively). When compared by sex, age, neck and hip circumference, waist/hip ratio, height, weight and BMI characteristics were statistically different (p<0.001, respectively). Neck circumference and waist/hip ratio were respectively 42.58 +/- 0.10 cm, 0.99 +/- 0.002, 39.24 +/- 0.16 cm, 0.93 +/- 0.004 were found in women. Conclusion: The neck circumference was lower than the standard value in men, but higher in women. The waist/hip ratio was above the ideal measurements in both men and women. In this context, the determination of the country values will allow the identification of patients with the possibility of OSAS and referral to sleep centers for polysomnography