Phylogenetic Inference from 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing in Chromosome Races of the Genus Nannospalax Species (Rodentia: Spalacidae)

OpenAlex İngilizce

Abstract In this study, we aimed to develop a species-level phylogeny for the Nannospalax genus, identify cryptic species that are difficult to differentiate using standard methods, and further evaluate the relationships across chromosomal forms of several species. 16S rRNA gene sequences from 81 Turkish regions were evaluated and statistical analyzes were conducted. Results are as follows; (i) Nannospalax cilicicus was found to be monophyletic and sister in relation to Nannospalax xanthodon; (ii) We suggested for the first time that the Central-Anatolian populations should be classified under the species name Nannospalax cilicicus (stat. n.); (iii) the unidentified 2n = 52 cytotypes from Bolu and Nannospalax leucodon cytotypes were reciprocally monophyletic, these data support the notion that the 2n = 52 cytotypes from Bolu belong to an unidentified taxon; (iv) study also offered evidence for the monophyly of N. tuncelicus for the first time; (v) Nannospalax xanthodon (2n = 36, 38, and 40) and Nannospalax nehringi composed several species-specific clades, which form polytomy structure, so relationships between these species are still unclear.