Genetic diversity within Anatolian brown hares (Lepus europaeus Pallas, 1778) and differentiation among Anatolian and European populations

Abstract

Genetic variability of Anatolian hares and relationships between Anatolian and European populations were assessed by a multilocus allozyme approach to infer evolutionary relationships between hares from Asia Minor and Europe. Of the 48 loci assayed, 19 (39.6%) were polymorphic with two to four alleles in the Anatolian hares. Among all Anatolian alleles, 14 were so far not found in the compared 717 brown hares from Europe. Overall, genetic diversity was highest in Anatolian hares, intermediate in brown hares from the southern and southeastern Balkans and lowest in central European populations. The rich genetic diversity in Anatolian hares might be a consequence of Anatolias biogeographic position with the chance of multiple gene flow from neighbouring regions, and the likelihood of long-term presence of hares during the last ice age, when large parts of more northern latitudes did not provide suitable habitats. However, among 28 loci used for the comparison between European and Anatolian populations, most common alleles of European brown hares were also common in Anatolian populations and no alternately fixed alleles were found for Anatolian and European populations. This together with only little or moderately varying allele frequencies produced low genetic divergence between Anatolian and European populations. Genetic differentiation among Anatolian populations was also low. Even between the two forms with different coat colour (brownish and yellowish) in Anatolian hares, there was little genetic differentiation. Altogether, all Anatolian hares studied presently are closely related to European brown hare populations, and only some distantly spaced population pairs revealed increased genetic divergence.

The taxonomic status and geographic distribution of the European hare (Lepus europaeus Pallas, 1778) in Turkey (Mammalia: Lagomorpha)

“…The findings of the present study regarding the pelage color were in line with those of Yom-Tov (1967). Sert et al (2005) reported that genetic diversity was the highest in Anatolian hares, moderate in brown hares from the southern and southeastern Balkans, and the lowest in Central European populations. However, Sert et al (2005) stated that genetic differentiation among Anatolian populations was low and there was an increase in genetic diversity only among some population pairs that were distributed distantly from each other.…”

“…However, according to Sert et al (2005), this distinct color difference was not in parallel with a pronounced genetic diversity. Sert et al (2005) also reported that even though many alleles found in Anatolian hares were not found in European populations, their allozyme data indicated a close phylogenetic relationship between European and all Anatolian brown hares. Sert (2006) recorded that the variations of the fur color occurred by means of the narrowing and expansion of light and dark bands or the disappearance of some bands of hairs.…”

“…Sert et al (2005) determined that the hares from the semiarid Şanlıurfa region, close to the Syrian border, had a distinct yellow pelage color, whereas all other Anatolian hares in their study represented more or less the European brown hare pelage type, with variably brownish colors interspersed with yellowish, black, and white elements, as well as grayish thighs. However, according to Sert et al (2005), this distinct color difference was not in parallel with a pronounced genetic diversity. Sert et al (2005) also reported that even though many alleles found in Anatolian hares were not found in European populations, their allozyme data indicated a close phylogenetic relationship between European and all Anatolian brown hares.…”

“…To date, Lepus europaeus has been recorded from different parts of Turkey by Steiner and Vauk (1966), Sert et al (2005), Sert (2006), and Tez et al (2012). Sert et al (2005) determined that the hares from the semiarid Şanlıurfa region, close to the Syrian border, had a distinct yellow pelage color, whereas all other Anatolian hares in their study represented more or less the European brown hare pelage type, with variably brownish colors interspersed with yellowish, black, and white elements, as well as grayish thighs.…”

“…Sert et al (2005), Ben Slimen (2006, and Stamatis et al (2008) examined genetic diversity of Anatolian hares by analyzing allozymes, microsatellites, and mtDNA. Demirbaş et al (2010) and Tez et al (2012) also studied some cytogenetical and morphological features of hares in Turkey.…”