Allozyme variation in Rattus rattus (Rodentia: Muridae) in Turkey, with particular emphasis on the taxonomy

WOS: 000261906600003The Turkish black rat "Rattus rattus" shows variation in coat colour corresponding to the occurrence of three subspecies with intermediate colour stages: Rattus rattus rattus, Rattus r. alexandrinus and Rattus r. frugivorus. Turkish black rat populations were divided geographically into six sub-populations: Rr1 = Northwest Anatolia, Rr2 = Central Anatolia, Rr3 = Eastern Mediterranean, Rr4 = Western Mediterranean, Rr5 = Turkish Thrace, and Rr6 = Black Sea region. Genetic variation was assessed using twenty two isoenzyme systems. Seven of twenty-two loci (Pgm-1, Hk, Ale-M, G3pdh, Gpdh-1, Gpi, Fum-1) were found to be polymorphic. The mean Value of F(ST) is found to be 0.073, indicating 7.3 % genetic variation among groups and suggesting the existence of a moderate differentiation between sub-populations of the Turkish black rat. Overall mean heterozygosity (Ho = direct count) for sub-populations was Ho = 0.020, ranging from 0.008 to 0.031. Nei's measure of genetic distance showed that Rr2 and Rr6 were the most identical and sub-populations Rr1 and Rr5 had diverged the most.BAP of Ankara UniversityAnkara University [97.05.03.04, 2000.07.05.037]We wish to thank Dr Ben BRILOT for comments on the text. This study was supported by BAP (97.05.03.04 and 2000.07.05.037) of Ankara University

Allozyme Variation in Wild Rats Rattus norvegicus (BERICENHOUT 1769) (Mammalia: Rodentia) from Turkey

WOS: 000277433300010The genetic diversity of 22 allozyme loci was investigated in 33 wild rat (Rattus norvegicus) specimens from 4 sub-populations. Eight of the 22 loci (Pgm, Hk, Me-M, Ldh, alpha-Gpdh-1, alpha-Gpdh-2, Fum, Xdh) were polymorphic. The level of genetic variation was measured by mean number of alleles per locus (A = 1.18), percentage of polymorphic loci (P = 18.2), mean heterozygosity per locus observed (Ho = 0.007), and mean heterozygosity expected under Hardy - Weinberg equilibrium (He = 0.057). Mean Psi, value was 0.34, indicating 34% genetic variation and suggesting high-level differentiation between sub-populations of the Turkish wild rat. The number of migrants (Nm) was 0.48 and showed that gene flow was relatively low between sub-populations. Even though a high level of genetic variation was observed, the low Nm value and Ho could be evidence of the Wahlund effect or a genetic bottleneck for the sub-populations. It is also suspected that there might be some factors preventing gene flow from the sub-populations, which constitute their own genetic potential for new taxonomic units

Taxonomic status of the genus Spermophilus (Mammalia : Rodentia) in Turkey and Iran with description of a new species

WOS: 000248167000001We report a new species of Spermophilus ( Rodentia: Sciuridae), here designated as S. torosensis sp. nov., distributed in the Taurus Mountains in southern Anatolia, Turkey. A total of 161 specimens of the genus Spermophilus from Turkey and Iran were analyzed for their morphological, morphometric, and karyological characteristics. Uni- and multi-variate statistical analyses of morphologic data for 95 adult specimens yielded 4 distinct groups. Taxonomic evaluations classified the specimens into 4 species Spermophilus citellus, S. xanthopymnus, S. fulvus and S. torosensis sp. nov. Morphometrics, coat coloration, a brush-shaped tail, and a NFa value of 72 are diagnostic characters that distinguish S. torosensis sp. nov. from the other species. In Turkey, S. torosensis sp. nov. was found in 6 locations. The karyotype of S. fulvus also is described for the first time as 2n= 36, NFa= 70 and NFa= 66; new karyotypic data is reported for S. xanthoprymnus from Iran and Turkey

On the karyology, morphology and biology of Chionomys gud (Satunin, 1909) (Mammalia: Rodentia) in Turkey

WOS: 000266997900014We examined the karyotype of Chionomys gud for the first time from Turkey, and found the values 2n=54, NF=58 and NFa=54. The X chromosome was found to be submetacentric and the Y chromosome acrocentric. Counts of embryos suggested a litter size range of 4 - 6 (mean 4.66, N = 3). Glans penis was stick shaped and covered by numerous microscopic papillae. The baculum had a well developed cartilaginous trifit distal process. The stalk of baculum had a well developed and broad base. The base and the shaft of the os baculum were roughly triangular in shape in dorsal view. The skull shapes of young, adult and aged specimens had distinctive features; in particular, the sagital crest became more prominent in older animals. Much variation was found in the shape of the molar chewing surfaces