Sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene have been used for DNA barcoding and determining the genetic diversity of mammal species. In the current study, our intention was to test the validity of COI barcodes for detecting genetic divergence and to reveal whether or not there is a genetic variation at this marker within canids. Three species (Canis aureus, Canis lupus and Vulpes vulpes) from the family Canidae were selected for DNA barcoding using samples collected from Iran and Turkey. All three species had unique barcoding sequences and none of the sequences were shared among these species. The mean sequence divergences within and among the species were 0.61% and 12.32%, respectively, which fell into the mean divergence ranges found in some mammal groups. The genetic diversity of these three canid species was relatively higher than that found in previously reported studies.

In the present study, partial sequences (439 bp) of mitochondrial DNA including D-loop region were obtained from seven golden jackals, Canis aureus, collected in Turkey. They were compared to the D-loop sequences registered in the GenBank database under the name Canis aureus. We determined four D-loop haplotypes (333 bp) among the seven Turkish sequences. Despite the limited number of sequences, our analysis indicated that Canis aureus consists of two allopatric haplogroups (a major haplogroup representing Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Italy, Serbia and Turkey, and a minor haplogroup containing one haplotype from India) within the sampling area. Interestingly, one haplotype from Senegal was clustered close to grey wolves, used as out-group, and this haplotype might not belong to golden jackal as suggested in previous studies. Our work presented the important data obtained from the Turkish samples to reveal the phylogenetic relationships among golden jackals, and it has suggested that there is a relatively high genetic variability in Turkish golden jackals.

No abstract

In this study, we focused on determining the genetic variability of Turkish gray wolves and also to reveal phylogenetic relationships of the Eurasian wolf populations using mitochondrial DNA sequences. Partial mitochondrial DNA sequences (440 bp) were obtained from 12 Turkish gray wolves, including D-loop region (332 bp). We found seven D-loop haplotypes (332 bp) among the 12 Turkish gray wolves. The D-loop sequences of the Turkish gray wolf were compared to sequences registered in GenBank from Eurasia under the name Canis lupus. Five Turkish haplotypes were shared with conspecific sequences from other regions of Eurasia in the species’ range. Two haplotypes were unique for the Turkish wolves. The existence of shared haplotypes suggests that the gray wolves in Turkey and other regions might be originated from the same gene pool. The present study reports significant data for determining the genetic variability and revealing the phylogenetic relationships of Turkish gray wolves; it is suggested that the genetic variability of Turkish gray wolves is relatively high.