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Öğe 24-year-old Male patient Diagnosed with Intramucosal Signet Ring Cell Gastric Cancer with Molecular Analysis: A Case Report(Kare Publ, 2020) Eroglu, Mehtap; Akin Bali, Dilara Fatma; Aktas, Sedef Hande; Kankilic, TeomanStomach cancer is the third leading cause of death among cancer-related deaths in the world. Signet-ring cell carcinoma (SRCC), a type of gastric adenocarcinoma, is frequently diagnosed in people aged fifty or older, and its incidence increases with age, but SRCC is rare in young age groups. In general, this type of cancer is thought to be more aggressive and has a worse prognosis than other types of gastric cancer. However, there are uncertainties about the characteristics and survival outcomes. Since the diagnostic tools used in patients with SRCC have low sensitivity and specificity in diagnosis and prognosis, it is important to support the diagnosis, follow-up of treatment and relapse with molecular genetic biomarkers. The aim in the current case is to see if TP53, which is the most frequently mutated gene in SRCC and NF1, that is expressed as one of the largest genes in the human genome and classified as a tumor suppressor gene, can be used as a prognostic genetic biomarker in the pathogenesis of early SRCCIt is predicted that P53 may be a determinant factor in the pathogenesis of SRCC due to the mutation burden in this case.Öğe A new chromosomal race (2n=44) of Nannospalax xanthodon from Turkey (Mammalia: Rodentia)(Taylor & Francis Ltd, 2017) Kankilic, Teoman; Arslan, Atilla; Seker, Perincek Seckinozan; Kankilic, Tolga; Toyran, Kubilay; Zima, JanA new karyotype for blind mole rats was recorded in Tunceli province in Eastern Turkey. The karyotype contained 44 chromosomes, including 13 biarmed pairs, 7 acrocentric pairs, and one heteromorphic pair with a submetacentric and an acrocentric homologue in the autosomal complement (FNa=69). The X chromosome was submetacentric and the Y chromosome medium-sized subtelocentric (FN=73). Distinct dark centromeric C-bands were observed on most of the biarmed and three pairs of the acrocentric autosomes. The NORs were detected on short arms of three subtelocentric pairs and one acrocentric pair of autosomes. The diploid number of chromosomes and the karyotype characteristics observed are obviously unique among hitherto studied populations of blind mole rats and the complement can be evaluated as a new chromosome race of Nannospalax xanthodon. The distribution ranges of individual chromosome races of the species recorded in Eastern Anatolia are revised and possible interracial hybridization is discussed in respect of the finding of a new race.Öğe Allozyme variation in bank vole, Myodes glareolus (Mammalia: Rodentia) in Northern Anatolia(PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD, 2013) Colak, Reyhan; Kandemir, Irfan; Karacan, Gul Olgun; Kankilic, Teoman; Colak, Ercument; Yigit, Nuri; Ozkurt, Sakir OnderA total of 94 specimens from 16 populations of Myodes glareolus, collected between 2004 and 2007, from different altitudinal distributions were analyzed, using 16 enzyme systems. We found that 10 out of 22 loci (Idh-2, alpha-Gpdh, Me, Pgm, Pgd, Mdh-s, Ada, Est-1, Ldh-1, and Ldh-2) were polymorphic. Group 1 included population from altitudes ranging from 27 to 605 m above sea level (ASL), and Group 2 were from altitudes ranging from 1003 to 1288 m ASL. The summaries of the genetic parameters also displayed differences between the 2 groups. The possible reasons of such fragmentation between M. glareolus populations were discussed. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Öğe Allozyme variations in Anatolian populations and cytotypes of the blind mole rats (Nannospalax)(PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD, 2015) Kankilic, Teoman; Kankilic, Tolga; Sozen, Mustafa; Colak, ErcumentEnzymatic proteins encoded by 28 putative loci in 326 samples of 12 mol rat cytotypes collected from 97 localities in Anatolia were investigated by standard horizontal starch-gel electrophoresis. A total of 61 alleles were determined for 28 isozyme loci and 23 of the 28 were polymorphic. Eight of the 23 polymorphic loci were agreeable to the Hardy Weinberg equilibrium. It was determined that deviations from the Hardy Weinberg equilibrium in the examined populations were due to a heterozygote deficiency. It was revealed by allozyme analyses that mole rat populations in Anatolia have formed 4 cytotypes groups, represented by 4 species (Nannospalax xanthodon, Nannospalax ehrenbergi, N. cilicicus, and N. nehringi). Cytotypes in western Anatolia (2n = 36, 2n = 38, 2n = 40, 2n = 52) showed private alleles in different enzyme systems; therefore, these cytotypes were genetically different, both from each other and other cytotypes. Although cytotypes in central Anatolia (2n = 52S, 2n = 56, 2n = 58, and 2n = 60) contained a different diploid chromosome number, they showed identical patterns in terms of their allele content in the 28 enzymatic loci. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Öğe Comparison of the chromosome banding patterns in Dryomys laniger and D. nitedula from Turkey(TUBITAK SCIENTIFIC & TECHNICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL TURKEY, 2016) Arslan, Atilla; Kankilic, Teoman; Yorulmaz, Tarkan; Kankilic, Tolga; Zima, JanThe karyotypes of Dryomys laniger and D. nitedula from Turkey were studied using C-banding and AgNOR staining. The standard karyotypes found in both species were fairly similar to previously published data (2n = 46, NF = 92 in D. laniger; 2n = 48, NF = 96 in D. nitedula). The C-banding pattern revealed a relatively small amount of heterochromatin in both karyotypes and C-heterochromatin was concentrated at centromeric areas of most autosomes and the X chromosome. Heterochromatin changes have apparently not been responsible for karyotypic divergences between the studied species. The AgNORs were recorded in the pericentromeric region of two autosome pairs in the complement of D. laniger, and at a single autosome pair of D. nitedula. The complement of D. laniger could be derived from that of D. nitedula after a tandem fusion of two autosomal pairs, and the assumed rearrangement also included the NOR region.Öğe Contributions to the Karyology and Distribution Areas of Cytotypes of Nannospalax leucodon (Rodentia: Spalacidae) in Western Anatolia(INST ZOOLOGY, BAS, 2010) Kankilic, Teoman; Kankilic, Tolga; Seker, Perincek Seckin; Colak, Reyhan; Selvi, Engin; Colak, ErcuementMole rats of the genus Nannospalax having high karyotypic variability (chromosome numbers ranging from 2n = 36 to 2n = 62) are dominant mammals occupying the subterranean niche in Anatolia. Respective distributional ranges of karyotypic forms within this taxon remain uncertain due to insufficient data. In the present study, karyological analyses of 36 specimens belonging to N. nehringi were examined from 10 sampling sites of Western Turkey. During the study, five karyotypic forms were recorded (2n = 36 NF = 68 from Aydin, 2n = 40 NF = 72 from Isparta, 2n = 56 NF = 72 from Usak, 2n = 60 NF = 78 from Isparta and 2n = 60 NF = 84 from Denizli and Burdur). When distribution areas of karyotipic forms are considered, these karyotypes are new records for this taxon in Turkey. In addition, this study aims to determine the most likely distribution areas of the four chromosome forms (2n = 36, 40, 56, 60) in Turkey paying attention on previously verified localities data.Öğe Evaluation of the role of Nrf2/Keap1 pathway-associated novel mutations and gene expression on antioxidant status in patients with deep vein thrombosis(Spandidos Publ Ltd, 2020) Akin-Bali, Dilara Fatma; Eroglu, Tamer; Ilk, Sedef; Egin, Yonca; Kankilic, TeomanDeep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a type of venous thromboembolism and a clinically complex vascular disease. Oxidative stress serves a key role in the pathogenesis of numerous cardiovascular diseases, particularly in endothelial dysfunction-associated syndromes. Nuclear factor erythroid-2-like 2(Nrf2) transcription factor is the primary regulator of antioxidant responses. The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are regulated by Nrf2 and its suppressor protein Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1). However, to the best of our knowledge, genetic abnormalites in the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway in DVT syndrome have not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway and antioxidant responses in DVT. Mutations and expression levels of genes involved in the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway were measured in 27 patients with DVT via DNA sequencing analysis and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, respectively. The Polymorphism Phenotyping v2 program was used to identify the pathogenic mutations. Total antioxidant activity levels were determined by measuring the effect of serum samples from 27 patients with DVT on oxidation of the 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenz-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) system. A total of 23 mutations, including seven novel mutations, were detected in the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway in 24 (89%) of the 27 patients with DVT. Keap1 mRNA expression levels were significantly higher compared with Nrf2 expression levels in patients with DVT (P=0.02). Analysis of molecular characteristics and gene expression levels demonstrated that Nrf2/Keap1-associated mutations and total antioxidant levels can be used as precursor markers in the diagnosis of DVT.Öğe Genetic Diversity and Geographic Variation of Chromosomal races of Nannospalax xanthodon (Nordmann, 1840) and Nannospalax ehrenbergi (Nehring, 1898) from Turkey, Revealed by RAPD Analysis(INST ZOOLOGY, BAS, 2013) Kankilic, Teoman; Kankilic, Tolga; Sozen, Mustafa; Colak, ErcumentThe level of genetic polymorphism in chromosomal races of Nannospalax xanthodon and Nannospalax ehrenbergi was determined by applying random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPDs) analysis. One hundred and fifty four mole rat samples belonging to two species N. xanthodon (61 populations) and N. ehrenbergi (3 populations) distributed in Anatolia were studied. Remarkable variations of diploid chromosome numbers were identified for N. xanthodon (2n=36-60). Eleven RAPD-PCR primers generated 160 polymorphic loci. The mean proportion of polymorphic loci was 92% (147 bands) for all chromosomal race implying high levels of genetic variability in N. xanthodon and N. ehrenbergi. Estimation of genetic diversity based on PCR amplification of RAPDs was high for both species. Results of RAPD- PCR observed within and among species were also connected with the peripatric mode of speciation. We determined that RAPD bands showed high diagnostic value between chromosomal races as they were very distinctive for each chromosomal race and absent from other forms. Genetic distance (1),) values between chromosomal races suggest that most populations analyzed in this study may be valid biological species.Öğe Genetic Variations in Nrf2-Keap1 Complex: A Step towards Understanding Cancer Resistance in Blind Mole Rats Cytotypes(Pleiades Publishing Inc, 2019) Akin-Bali, Dilara Fatma; Kankilic, TeomanThe Nrf2-Keap1 regulation system plays a crucial role in cytoprotection against electrophilic/oxidative stress. Previous studies have identified missense mutations in Nrf2/Keap1 complex which abolish its activity. The amino acid corresponding to codon 212 in Keapl's IVR domain is conserved as tyrosine (Y) among different mammalian species whereas only Nannospalax and two other species carry a cysteine (C) residue at this position. These species include Sperm whale and European hedgehog that live in hypoxic environment. In this study, we examined genetic variations in Nrf2-Keap1 complex, which was reported to be important in cancer pathogenesis in previous studies, in cancer resistant blind mole rat species with varying chromosome numbers (2n: 46-60) that we collected from different regions in Turkey. This study was the first to provide information on genetic variants in Nrf2/Keap1 complex of blind mole rats living in Turkey.Öğe Genetic Variations of Growth Hormone Receptor Exon 10 in Blind Mole-Rat Superspecies (Rodentia: Spalacidae) in Turkey(Inst Zoology, Bas, 2024) Kankilic, Teoman; Tatyuz, Ilhan; Kankilic, Tolga; Civelek, Ilkay; Senol, OzhanA phylogenetic analysis of 16 cytotypes in a sample of 105 blind mole -rats of the genus Nannospalax Palmer, 1903 from the entire Anatolian region has been carried out. Three superspecies (N. xanthodon, N. leucodon and N. ehrenbergi) were found to have undergone monophyletic radiations. We determined that the superspecies N. ehrenbergi and N. xanthodon contain a mixture of cryptic species distributed in the Anatolian part of Turkey. Our study indicated a fundamental split between two groups, one consisting of populations of N. ehrenbergi from the South-eastern Anatolia and the other including the remaining taxa (N. xanthodon and N. leucodon) from the remaining regions of Anatolia and from Thrace. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that there were two new unnamed cryptic species (2n=48-52 cytotype group and 2n=56 cytotype group) within the superspecies N. ehrenbergi that were reciprocally monophyletic. We reviewed species identified by traditional morphological methods to determine their taxonomic validity. We suggest that N. cilicicus (stat. n.), which is endemic to the central Anatolia, has to be considered a distinct species and not a synonym of N. xanthodon.Öğe Genetic variations of Turkish bank vole, Myodes glareolus (Mammalia: Rodentia) inferred from mtDNA(TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD, 2016) Colak, Reyhan; Karacan, Gul Olgun; Kandemir, Irfan; Colak, Ercument; Kankilic, Teoman; Yigit, Nuri; Michaux, JohanThe bank vole, Myodes glareolus, lives in deciduous forests throughout the Palearctic region. In Turkey, this species is distributed only in northern Anatolia (the Black Sea region) where these forests exist. This study reveals genetic differentiation among bank vole populations based on two regions of mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome b and D-loop). Populations in northern Anatolia are divided into two genetic lineages (the "eastern" and "western Black Sea" lineages) by the Kizilirmak Valley. While the western Black Sea lineage is close to the Balkan lineage, in accordance with their geographical proximities, surprisingly, the Uludag lineage, also situated in Western Turkey appears related to the eastern Black Sea population. The divergence time analyses suggest a separation between the Balkan and Turkish groups around 0.26 Mya, whereas the split between the eastern and western Black sea lineages appeared a little bit later (0.20 Mya). Our results suggest that regional refuges existed for this species in Turkey and that small-scale habitat fragmentations led to genetic differentiations between Myodes populations.Öğe Geographical Distribution Pattern of Mitochondrial DNA Cytochrome b Diversity in Populations of Arvicola amphibius (Linnaeus, 1758) (Mammalia: Rodentia) in Turkey as Determined by PCR-RFLP(INST ZOOLOGY, BAS, 2018) Seker, Perincek Seckinozan; Selvi, Engin; Kankilic, Teoman; Colak, ErcumentArvicola amphibius (Linnaeus, 1758) is a semiaquatic rodent living in and around wetland habitats covered by rich vegetation. It has a broad distribution in the Palearctic and three subspecies live in Turkey. In order to identify the geographical distribution of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b diversity in A. amphibius populations in Turkey, the restriction fragment length polymorphism method was applied. The digestion patterns of four restriction enzymes (Alu I, Rsa I, Sau3A I and EcoR V) in 100 samples of A. amphibius from 20 localities in Turkey brought out four mtDNA lineages [Thrace (THR), central Anatolia (CA), southern Anatolia (SA) and eastern Anatolia (EA)], each having high genetic diversity. In contrast to the three lineages in THR, CA and SA, respectively, corresponding to the known subspecies A. a. cernjavskii, A. a. persicus and A. a. hintoni, separate populations constituting the fourth A. amphibius lineage in EA were determined. The results proved that the variable topography and geomorphological conglomeration process of Anatolia lead to an allopatric differentiation and had a large impact on the appearance and shaping of intraspecific genetic variations in water voles. Moreover, the existing high genetic variability in Turkish water vole populations propounds the importance of Anatolia as a potential refuge in the Pleistocene.Öğe Histological structure of Nannospalax xanthodon cochlea tissue (Mar,10.1007/s11756-021-00746-5, 2021)(Springer, 2021) Balcioglu, Esra; Gur, Fatih Mehmet; Gur, Hatice Emel; Bilgici, Pinar; Kankilic, TeomanA Correction to this paper has been published:Öğe Identification of novel Nrf2/Keap1 pathway mutations in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia(Taylor & Francis Inc, 2020) Akin-Bali, Dilara Fatma; Aktas, Sedef Hande; Unal, Mehmet Altay; Kankilic, TeomanAcute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a malignancy of lymphoid progenitor cells, characterized by a wide range of biological and clinical heterogeneity. Oxidative stress is a common problem observed in carcinogenesis and it is involved in developing treatment resistance. Nuclear Factor Erythroid-2-Like 2 (Nrf2) transcription factor is the main regulator of antioxidant responses. The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are tightly controlled and regulated by Nrf2 and its suppressor protein Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1). Recently, many studies have shown that most of the genes in the Nrf2/Keap1/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kappa B)/phosphotyrosine-independent ligand for the Lck SH2 domain Of 62 KDa (p62) pathway show abnormally high mutational variations in cancer. However, variations in the Nrf2/Keap1/NF-kappa B1/p62 pathway in pediatric ALL have not been thoroughly investigated, yet. Thirty children, who were diagnosed with pediatirc ALL were included in the study. The Nrf2/Keap1/NF-kappa B1/p62 pathway variants were analyzed by DNA sequencing analysis. The PolyPhen-2 program was used for identifying pathogenic mutations. Our study examined the molecular dynamics (MD) perspectives of the effect of A159T and E121K mutations on protein stability for the first time in the literature by using the GROMACS45 software package utilizing the OPSLAA force field. Of the detected 17 nucleotide changes, 6 were novel. The study predicted the potential pathological effect of two mutations p. A159T and p.E121K in the Keap1 gene. The MD perspectives revealed that the E121K mutant's observed structural behavior accounted for the key role of His-129 and E121K, where E121K exhibited much higher drift compared to His-129. For a future perspective, it would be meaningful to study the protein-small molecule interactions of the Keap1 protein to elaborate on the drug effects in patients carrying these mutations.Öğe Investigations on the Ecology of Eurasian Water Vole, Arvicola amphibius (Rodentia: Mammalia) in Ankara Province(ZOOLOGICAL SOC PAKISTAN, 2013) Yavuz, Guliz; Colak, Ercument; Kankilic, TeomanThe population dynamics of Arvicola amphibius were investigated in Ayas (Ankara, Turkey), during the period between August 2005 and July 2006. The method of capture-mark-recapture was used and 123 individuals were marked during the study. For each animal, total body length, body weight, reproductive condition, as well as features of habitat were recorded. The width of the riparian vegetation was measured by ranging from 1 to 5 m. The reproductive period lasted from March to October. In adult females, the total length varied from 306 mm to 321 mm, while in adult males, it varied from 305 mm to 326 mm, it was compared with other populations. Estimated monthly population size of the water voles ranged from 3 in January to 49 in July.Öğe Karyotypes of two Iranian bat species, Myotis blythii and Miniopterus schreibersii (Chiroptera : Vespertilionidae, Miniopteridae)(TUBITAK SCIENTIFIC & TECHNICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL TURKEY, 2008) Karatas, Ahmet; Charakheloo, Muhammed Mouradi; Kankilic, TeomanThe karyotypes of 2 bat species from Iran were examined. The diploid number of chromosomes (2n) and the fundamental numbers of chromosomal arms (NFa) were determined to be 2n = 44 and NFa = 54 for Myotis blythii and 2n = 46 and NFa = 50 for Miniopterus schreibersii, respectively. The karyotypes of Iranian bats show similarity within populations in other countries with respect to the diploid chromosome numbers; however, they are quite different in the fundamental chromosome numbers and the numbers of autosomal arms.Öğe Morphological and biometrical comparisons of the baculum in the genus Nannospalax Palmer, 1903 (Rodentia: Spalacidae) from Turkey with consideration of its taxonomic importance(TUBITAK SCIENTIFIC & TECHNICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL TURKEY, 2014) Kankilic, Teoman; Kankilic, Tolga; Seker, Perincek Seckin Ozan; Kivanc, ErkutThe morphological variability of the baculum (os penis) of 147 adult specimens of species in the genus Nannospalax from 58 localities in Turkey was examined using morphological and numerical taxonomic methods. Significant differences among all of the Turkish species in the genus were determined by morphological and biometrical comparison of the bacula, and the results of this study showed that N. nehringi and N. xanthodon are separate species and that the names are not synonyms. Additionally, because the central Anatolian mole rat populations that were classified by previous studies as members of N. nehringi or N. xanthodon had highly different baculum morphologies, these populations were classified as a different species (N. labaumei) in this study. When compared to the other populations, the central Anatolian populations, which have greater diploid chromosomal sets (2n = 56, 58, 60), had very different baculum morphologies. Whereas individuals of the species N. labaumei had the smallest bacula, the largest baculum occurred in a representative of the species N. leucodon. From this study, the results indicate that 5 different blind mole rat species (N. ehrenbergi, N. leucodon, N. nehringi, N. xanthodon, and N. labaumei) live in Turkey, and in addition to these species, some of the chromosomal races (2n = 36, 40, 52) should be treated as distinct species.Öğe NUCLEAR AND ORGANELLE GENES BASED PHYLOGENY OF DRYOMYS (GLIRIDAE, RODENTIA, MAMMALIA) FROM TURKEY(Hungarian Natural History Museum, 2019) Kankilic, Teoman; Seker, Perincek Seckinozan; Aydin, Burcu; Altunbas, Derya; Selvi, Engin; Yigit, Nuri; Colak, ErcumentMolecular phylogeny, phylogeography and genetic structure of the genus Dryomys Thomas, 1906 from Turkey were identified by using partial sequences of beta-fibrinogen intron 7 and mitochondrially encoded 12S ribosomal RNA genes and also combined data of two genes. Within Dryomys nitedula species, both, nuclear and mitochondrial genes coherently separated the Thrace lineage from the other lineages in Anatolia. Contrary to this, complex and incomprehensible phylogenies were recovered for Anatolian populations of this species. The analysis of the combined data of these two genes resolved mentioned complexity and incongruity and made phylogeny compatible with the results of past studies for the relative position of the Anatolian lineages. Thus, the presence of four different lineages (one in Thrace and three in Anatolia) within D. nitedula in the localities exemplified across Turkey was confirmed. Genetic differentiation (K2P distances) between the lineages were moderate at the level of intraspecific diversity. In addition to this, genetic distance (K2P = 5.5%) determined between D. nitedula and D. laniger conformed the distance suggested for the separate species of mammals. Evolutionary divergence time estimations demonstrated that the probable divergence between D. laniger and D. nitedula and among its detected lineages started in the border of Late Miocene and Pliocene (5.3 Mya) and lasted to the beginning of the Calabrian Stage of Pleistocene (1.8 Mya) in line with the previous results obtained from fossil and molecular data.Öğe Phylogenetic Inference from 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing in Chromosome Races of the Genus Nannospalax Species (Rodentia: Spalacidae)(Pleiades Publishing Inc, 2024) Kankilic, Teoman; Celikbilek, Habibe Didem; Kankilic, Tolga; Seker, Perincek Seckinozan; Selvi, Engin; Civelek, IlkayIn 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.Öğe Phylogeny of species and cytotypes of mole rats (Spalacidae) in Turkey inferred from mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequencees(INST VERTEBRATE BIOLOGY AS CR, 2012) Kandemir, Irfan; Sozen, Mustafa; Matur, Ferhat; Kankilic, Teoman; Martinkova, Natalia; Colak, Faruk; Colak, ErcumentWe described the genetic variation of cytochrome b gene sequences of blind mole rats in Turkey. We examined 47 individuals belonging to nine cytotypes of three superspecies Nannospalax leucodon, N. xanthodon and N. ehrenbergi in the 402bp gene sequence of cytochrome b. Phylogenetic analyses showed that relationships between cytotypes were well supported, but deeper divergence between species showed insignificant relationships. Cytotypes of N. xanthodon with low diploid number of chromosomes from western Turkey formed a monophyletic group distinct from the populations with higher number of chromosomes (2n = 56-60). The monophyly of N. xanthodon was supported with respect to N. leucodon (2n = 56) in the Bayesian and maximum likelihood phylogenies. The divergence between two analyzed cytotypes of N. ehrenbergi (2n = 52, 2n = 56) was 9.4 %, and the Kilis cytotype (2n = 52) appeared as the basal branch of the whole analysed dataset. N. ehrenbergi cytotypes were paraphyletic and they formed unsupported relationships with previously described N. galili (2n = 52), N. golani (2n = 54), N. carmeli (2n = 58) and N. judaei (2n = 60) from Israel. The results of this study showed that the Nannospalax species complex most likely represents more species than currently recognized, especially in N. xanthodon. We suggest that cytotypes of N. xanthodon and N. ehrenbergi from Turkey should be investigated in detail as possible candidates for being separate species.
