Phylogeny and genetic structure in the genus Secale

Maraci Ö, Ozkan H, Bilgin R. Phylogeny and genetic structure in the genus Secale. PLOS ONE. 2018;13(7): e0200825.Secale L. is a small but important genus that includes cultivated rye. Although genetic diversity of cultivated rye is high, patterns of genetic diversity in the whole genus, and potential factors affecting the distribution of genetic diversity remain elusive. The population structure and distribution of genetic variation within Secale, and its correlation with taxonomic delimitation, cultivation status or spatial distribution in relation to geography and climate zones were analyzed in this study. A collection of 726 individual plants derived from 139 different accessions representing Secale cereale, S. vavilovii, S. strictum, and S. sylvestre were investigated using SSR analysis and sequence diversity analysis of a nuclear EST region. Our results indicated that perennial S. strictum subspecies are genetically divergent from annual forms of the genus. Existence of two distinct clusters within the annual taxa was observed, one corresponding to samples from Asia, and a second to those outside of Asia. No clear genetic structure was observed between different annual species/subspecies, indicating introgression between these taxa. The analysis of cultivated rye revealed that landrace populations from the Middle East have the highest genetic diversity, supporting the idea of the area being the center of origin for cultivated rye. Considering high adaptive potential of those populations, Middle Eastern landraces should be regarded as genetic resources reservoirs for new niches and future breeding programs

The Advocate - June 8, 1961

Original title (1951-1987)--The Advocate: official publication of the Archdiocese of Newark (N.J.)

Back to the Suture: The Distribution of Intraspecific Genetic Diversity in and Around Anatolia

The effect of ice ages in speciation and diversification is well established in the literature. In Europe, the Iberian, the Italian and the Balkan peninsulas comprise the main glacial refugia, where the subsequent re-population of Europe started. Though not studied as extensively, Anatolia has also been hinted to be a potential glacial refugium for Europe, and with its proximity to the Caucasus and the Middle East at the same time, has potential to exhibit high levels of intraspecific diversity. The more ubiquitous use and cheaper availability of molecular methods globally now makes it possible to better understand molecular ecology and evolution of the fauna and flora in the genetically understudied regions of the world, such as Anatolia. In this review, the molecular genetic studies undertaken in Anatolia in the last decade, for 29 species of plants and animals, are examined to determine general phylogeographic patterns. In this regard, two major patterns are observed and defined, showing genetic breaks within Anatolia and between Anatolia and the Balkans. A third pattern is also outlined, which suggests Anatolia may be a center of diversity for the surrounding regions. The patterns observed are discussed in terms of their relevance to the location of suture zones, postglacial expansion scenarios, the effect of geographic barriers to gene flow and divergence time estimates, in order to better understand the effect of the geological history of Anatolia on the evolutionary history of the inhabitant species. In view of the current state of knowledge delineated in the review, future research directions are suggested

Cave-dwelling bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) of Catalca-Kocaeli region, northwestern Turkey

Band 1 von Proceedings of the VIIIth EBRS: VIIIth European Bat Research Symposium, 23-27 August 1999, Kraków, Poland, Proceedings of the VIIIth EBRS: VIIIth European Bat Research Symposium, 23-27 August 1999, Kraków, Poland Band 1 von Proceedings of the VIIIth EBRS: Bats & Man, Million Years of Coexistence, Proceedings of the VIIIth EBRS: Bats & Man, Million Years of Coexistence Band 1 von Bats & Man: Million Years of Coexistence, Bats & Man: Million Years of Coexistence Band 1 von Proceedings of the VIIIth European Bat Research Symposium Band 1 von Proceedings of the VIIIth EBRS: Bats and Man, Million Years of Coexistence, 23-27 August 1999, Kraków, Poland, Proceedings of the VIIIth EBRS: Bats and Man, Million Years of Coexistence, 23-27 August 1999, Kraków, Poland Band 1 von Proceedings of the VIIIth EBRS: 23-27 August 1999, Proceedings of the VIIIth EBRS: 23-27 August 199

Phylogeographic analysis of Anatolian bats highlights the importance of the region for preserving the Chiropteran mitochondrial genetic diversity in the Western Palaearctic

WOS: 000326632600009Identification of intraspecific conservation units and incorporating the distribution of genetic diversity into management plans are crucial requirements for assessing effective protection strategies. This study investigates the phylogeographic structures of 33 bat species present in the Near East in order to evaluate the conservation implications of their intraspecific genetic diversity both at regional and large-scale levels. To compare Anatolian populations with the European ones, we utilized two commonly used mitochondrial markers, Cytb and ND1, and analysed them together with the available sequences from GenBank. The management requirements of the identified clades and their taxonomical relations were evaluated by analysing their distributions and the levels of their genetic differentiations. In 12 species and the large Myotis complex, we identified a total of 15 genetically distinct populations found in the Near East, some of which might represent biologically distinct taxa. Comparing the phylogeographic patterns of different taxa indicates that three regions, the Balkans, the Caucasus, and the southern Anatolia, harbour genetically divergent populations and should have higher priority in conservation practices. Considering that Turkey has one of the richest bat fauna in the Mediterranean region and the Anatolian populations of various species are genetically distinct, protecting populations in Turkey is critically important for preserving the genetic diversity of the bats in the Western Palaearctic. Both regional and large-scale conservation strategies, which incorporate the distribution of genetic diversity, should be assessed and further ecological studies are needed to clarify the taxonomic relations of the identified clades.Research Fund of Bogazici University [09S101, 10Y00P2]; Research Fund of Nigde University [01FEB023]We thank Yaman Ozakin, Yalin Emek Celik, Ismail Onur Gurses, Pinar Yildiz, Tomasz Postawa, Justyna Bachanek, Elif Icagasioglu, Zirve Yigit, Aysegul Karatas, Ferhat Toprak, Hasan Karakaya, and the members of Bogazici University Speleological Society and Bogazici International Speleological Society for their support during the field works. We also thank Arpat Ozgul for his comments on the manuscript. This research was supported by the Research Fund of Bogazici University (Grant No. "09S101'' to RB and "10Y00P2'' to AF) and the Research Fund of Nigde University (Grant No. "01FEB023'' to AK)

Phylogeography of the greater horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae), in southeastern Europe and Anatolia, with a specific focus on whether the Sea of Marmara is a barrier to gene flow

WOS: 000268072600004Population differentiation during the ice ages, followed by range expansions has significantly contributed to the geographic distribution patterns of the genetic diversity in Europe. In this regard, the Iberian, Italian, Balkan peninsulas and Anatolia comprise important glacial refugia. In different parts of Anatolia, suture zones, where lineages that diverged in the different glacial refugia met again, were observed for several species. In this study, we investigated the mitochondrial genetic differentiation of the greater horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum in southeastern Europe and Anatolia. The mitochondrial DNA analyses indicated a suture zone in central Anatolia, similar to those recorded in other animal species, showing the presence of more than one refugium within the region. The time of the split of these lineages that diverged in allopatry was dated to the Pleistocene. However, the location of this suture zone did not coincide with the Sea of Marmara, not supporting a recent hypothesis, based on microsatellite data, which states that this water body might be an impediment to post glacial gene flow in this species

Is there a distinct harbor porpoise subpopulation in the Marmara Sea?

Genetic population structure of geographically isolated endangered Black Sea harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena relicta) is little known in Turkish waters, especially in the Turkish Straits System (TSS- Marmara Sea, Bosphorus and Dardanelles), which connects the Black Sea and the Aegean Sea. Mitochondrial DNA sequences of 70 new individuals sampled in the Turkish Black Sea, TSS and Aegean Sea, revealed five new haplotypes from the Black Sea. The findings support the idea that harbor porpoises from the Black Sea dispersed into the Aegean through the TSS. Considering signatures of population expansion, all subpopulations showed a signature of population expansion. The network data and the Phi st calculations indicated that the Marmara Sea subpopulation was significantly differentiated from all of the other subpopulations, and supports the notion of its isolated. The finding of a potential management unit (MU) within an already heavily impacted subpopulation as a whole suggests that the individuals of P. p. relicta inhabiting the Marmara Sea require a very rigorous conservation strategy to ensure the survival of this subpopulation, represented by its unique haplotype