This study was conducted to explain the karyological analysis and morphological characteristics of blind mole rat samples collected from Ceyhan, Adana in Turkey. The chromosomes of the blind mole rat samples were stained and analysed using conventional methods. The chromosomes were defined according to centromere positions by processing photographs of metaphase cells. The karyotype of Nannospalax ehrenbergi showed 53 chromosomes (2n=53) and fundamental number of chromosomal arms NF=66 and the number of autosomal arms NFa= 62. The karyotype showed a hybrid individual. X and Y chromosomes were determined as metacentric and acrocentric, respectively. The autosomal set had 5 (+1 single homologous) pairs of metacentric/submetacentric and 20 pairs of acrocentric. Morphological studies were carried out on two male Nannospalax ehrenbergi skulls from Adana province. Lengths of three external (height, hindfoot length and weights (gr)) and 24 cranial morphological points on skulls were measured using an electronic caliper. This was the first study in which 2n=53 NF=66 population was determined from Ceyhan. This form was described as a hybrid form. The portion behind the palate (os palatinum) has no a sharply defined styloid process.

Blind mole rats (Nannospalax) are subterranean mammals noted for their longevity and cancerresistance. It is known that these animals' vestigial eyes, particularly the Harder gland around the eyes, maygenerate considerable amounts of melatonin. Furthermore, the melatonin production mechanism in thecircadian rhythm cycle of blind mole rats is regarded to be different from that of other living beings. Themelatonin and Clock genes are hypothesized to be linked to the formation, development, and spread ofcancer, but the researchers still cannot explain their extraordinary cancer resistance.In this study, we hypothesized that the melatonin production mechanism in the circadian rhythm cycle ofblind mole rats, which have been shown in the literature to be cancer-resistant, may differ from that of otherliving species due to the difference in their amino acid variations. Differences in the DNA of the Clockgenes (Cry1 and Per1) involved in melatonin biosynthesis in blind mole rats were studied compared toother model species (Spalax galili, Mus musculus, Heterocephalus glaber, Rattus norvegicus, and Homosapiens). As a result, while no variations were found in the Cry1 gene; only p.G7R variation was found inthe Per1 gene. The SNAP2 software had demonstrated that the human analogs of this variation harmfuleffects. It was suggested that more or full exon sites, more samples and genes should be studied to observemore variants in Nannospalax species. Thereby, the cancer resistance of blind mole rats may be explainedbetter by these variations and the functions of protein domains where these variants are located in.

Blind mole rats (Nannospalax) have become famous for their long lifespans and cancer resistance, but it is still unknown what causes them to be resistant to cancer. These animals may have a different melatonin synthesis mechanism from other creatures due to their lifestyle, which is estimated to be connected to their cancer resistance. In this study, gene variants in Clock genes Cry1, Cry2, Bmal1, Per1 and Per2, which are involved in the synthesis of melatonin in Nannospalax species living in Turkey were investigated and compared with the other organisms including Nannospalax galili, Mus musculus, Heterocephalus glaber, Rattus norvegicus, and Homo sapiens. In addition, it was investigated whether the detected variations have a pathogenic effect in humans. For this purpose, in-vitro methods and some bioinformatics tools were employed in this DNA-based research. 29 variants in total; 11 in Per1, 7 in Per2, 2 in Cry1 and 9 in Cry2 gene, were identified, no variation was found in Bmal1 gene. Some of these variations have been found in regions where DNA repair processes for light-induced UV damage occurred. Other variations were detected in PAS domain and 5'-UTR regions, and the remaining variations were in nondomain regions of proteins. Since Clock gene variations has not been investigated in Nannospalax species, these in-vitro and in-silico methods may give suggestions to choose and focus on detected variations to be used for further studies.