There are very few studies regarding genetic variability in this genus. Benazzou et al. (1984) first performed an allozyme analysis of the genus Meriones using nine enzyme systems. Bulut and Yiğit (2011) investigated allozyme variations of three subspecies of M. tristrami from western Anatolia. Yiğit et al. (2013) used 24 enzyme systems to determine allozyme variations of five Meriones species. Hence, the aim of the present study was to reveal the genetic diversity among the M. tristrami subpopulations, which have a wider range than do the other Meriones species in Turkey. Materials and methodsSpecimens of the M. tristrami were caught from ten localities in Turkey and a total of 83 specimens were studied (Figure 1). These subspecies of M. tristrami were described with slightly morphological and biometrical characteristics, except for M. tristrami blackleri, which has a very marked white tip on the tail and occupies the westernmost part of Anatolia. Moreover, these subspecies (codes are Mt1, Mt4, Mt5, Mt6, Mt7, and Mt8 in this study) from the easternmost to the westernmost areas have a different number of chromosome arms (Yiğit et al.

An assessment on biometric differentiation depend on distribution of the Anatolian Jird Meriones tristrami (Mammalia: Rodentia