In the present study, mitochondrial DNA polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay was used to assess the phylogenetic and phylogeographic relationships among 27 brown trout Salmo trutta populations from Turkey. The complete NADH 5/6 region and a second segment comprising the cytochrome b gene and D-loop of mtDNA amplified by PCR were digested with six and five restriction enzymes, respectively. A total of 27 haplotypes were observed and divided into three major phylogenetic assemblages, namely Danubian (DA), Adriatic (AD) and a newly proposed Tigris (TI) lineage. The timing of the net nucleotide divergence between the major lineages along with the geological history of Turkey suggested pre-Pleistocene isolation of the Turkish brown trout and provided evidence that Turkey could be considered as a centre of diversification for these lineages. The average haplotype diversity (0Á1397) and the nucleotide diversity (0Á000416) within populations were low in comparison to the observed interpopulation nucleotide diversity (0Á021266). PCR-RFLP analysis showed that most of the mtDNA sequence variation found in the Turkish brown trout populations was imputable to differences among lineages. On the other hand, there was also an obvious relationship between geographical distribution of the populations and their clustering. The present study showed that brown trout populations from Turkey are highly divergent and mainly have a unique genetic profile that could be used for conservation and management purposes.

Aim Chorthippus parallelus is one of the classic model systems for studying genetic structure and phylogeography in the Western Palaearctic. Here, we investigate the regional genetic differentiation of C. parallelus and evaluate the historical and evolutionary processes responsible for such genetic structuring, test the nature of the Turkish Straits system as a barrier to dispersal, and explore the contribution of Anatolian populations to the biodiversity of the Western Palaearctic. Location Western Palaearctic. Methods We incorporated sequence data from dense sampling of the phylogeographically important Anatolian region with both previous and newly obtained data of the nuclear fragment cpnl‐1 and the mitochondrial fragment COI–tRNALeu–COII. In total, 1049 sequences of cpnl‐1 from 33 regions were analysed to investigate the genetic diversity, genetic structuring and phylogeography of C. parallelus across its distributional range. The mtDNA region was additionally used to test whether the Turkish Straits system acts as a barrier. Results The analyses revealed that not all southern refugial populations of C. parallelus have contributed equally to the post‐glacial recolonization of Europe. Four genetic clusters across the species' range were recovered: cluster A (eastern part of the Anatolian Diagonal); cluster B (western part of the Anatolian Diagonal); cluster C (Spain, Italy, southern Balkans, west part of Anatolia and Russia); and cluster D (covering the entire distributional range of the species). The Turkish Straits system has been a weak barrier to dispersal by C. parallelus, allowing gene flow from Anatolia to the Balkans. Main conclusions The current patterns of genetic structuring of C. parallelus were best explained by multiple expansion and contraction events. Anatolia has been well connected to the Balkans, contributing genetically to the establishment of central and northern European populations prior to the Holocene. The Anatolian refugium is suggested to be the centre of origin for Western Palaearctic C. parallelus diversity rather than a Balkan refugium.

The parasitoid wasp subfamily Braconinae is dominated by the type genus Bracon, a genus which probably now contains more than 1000 described species and no reliable subgeneric groupings. By analysing 28s D2-3 rDNA sequences in representative braconines we show that the genus is paraphyletic. It is unlikely that sufficient molecular data will be amassed, or new morphological characters discovered, in the foreseeable future to divide this huge amorphous genus into reciprocally monophyletic clades. As we believe that it is unsatisfactory to leave this situation as it stands we propose that Bracon should be treated formally as a likely paraphyletic taxon, and we argue that the ICZN should consider creating such a category. On the basis of our estimated phylogeny we also propose a revised classification for this subfamily that avoids paraphyletic tribes and subtribes, replacing several of these with informal genus groups. 0 2001 The Linnean Society of London ADDITIONAL KEY WORDS: simultaneous analysisparaphylymetataxa -Braconcongruencephylogenetic taxonomy.

Polymorphism of prolactin receptors might play a role in mammary carcinogenesis as a consequence of intracellular changes of PRLR signalling.

The parasitoid wasp subfamily Braconinae is dominated by the type genus Bracon, a genus which probably now contains more than 1000 described species and no reliable subgeneric groupings. By analysing 28s D2-3 rDNA sequences in representative braconines we show that the genus is paraphyletic. It is unlikely that sufficient molecular data will be amassed, or new morphological characters discovered, in the foreseeable future to divide this huge amorphous genus into reciprocally monophyletic clades. As we believe that it is unsatisfactory to leave this situation as it stands we propose that Bracon should be treated formally as a likely paraphyletic taxon, and we argue that the ICZN should consider creating such a category. On the basis of our estimated phylogeny we also propose a revised classification for this subfamily that avoids paraphyletic tribes and subtribes, replacing several of these with informal genus groups. 0 2001 The Linnean Society of London ADDITIONAL KEY WORDS: simultaneous analysisparaphylymetataxa -Braconcongruencephylogenetic taxonomy.

No abstract

Purpose The main goal of this study was genotyping of free-living parasites and sub-grouping of pathogenic or non-pathogenic amebae obtained from Turkey's thermal springs. In so doing, distribution and abundance of possible pathogenic or causative strain for humans, which are caused by Acanthamoeba and Naegleria strains, would be elaborated. The number of extensive studies on the general occurrence and distribution of parasitic strains is very high worldwide, but there has been a paucity of information with regard to Turkey. Methods From a total of 434 obtained thermal pool samples, free-living amebas were isolated from 148 water samples using the non-nutrient agar (NNA) culture method. Subsequently, the cultivated samples were used for DNA isolation; then 102 obtained DNA samples were subjected to PCR amplification using various primers for samples of genera Acanthamoeba and Naegleria. Ultimately, estimation of genotype or subtype was evaluated by sequencing. Results About 29 samples that belong to Acanthamoeba and Naegleria were estimated from a total of 102 amplified PCR samples. These eukaryotic PCR products which have Acanthamoeba genus appearance, generated 26 subtypes and 3 Naegleria samples. Among the 26 Acanthamoeba genotypes, 22 aligned sequences were matched with various GenBank reference samples, while the 4 divergent genotypes were not elaborated and marked as ND. Most of the Acanthamoeba genera were determined as likely dominating groups and clustered as T form within totally eight groups. Eight, seven and three subtypes were found as T4A, T15 and T11 genotypes, respectively while the remainings were ultimately found in four groups. Results confirming the predominance of T4A, which is known the most causative form, the presence in the pools. Despite being uncommon, N. fowleri, lovaniensis and australiensis were also observed among the surveyed pools. Conclusion The present study is descriptive and is not unique. However, this is the most comprehensive study of the molecular distribution sampling of thermophilic Acanthamoeba and Naegleria that confirmed and demonstrated their ubiquitous presence throughout Turkey. By this estimation, in some spas, the most and likely causative form Acanthamoeba including T4 and Naegleria fowleri has also been confirmed.

No abstract