Phylogenetic analysis of Dryomys nitedula (Pallas, 1778) (Rodentia: Gliridae) populations distributed in Northern Anatolia

In this thesis, the sequences of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cytochrome b (cytb) gene region of 47 Dryomys nitedula specimens collected from 17 localities determined from the west and east of Kızılırmak in Northern Anatolia were analysed. A total of 32 haplotypes were identified for the data set created without including the outgroup (Eliomys) and different lineages of the species, and 43 haplotypes were identified for the data set created by including the outgroup and different lineages of the species. In the Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic trees, when Kızılırmak was accepted as a boundary, it was determined that the eastern and western haplotypes were grouped in the same branches, while the Sivas haplotype was grouped together with the western haplotypes, and the two Samsun haplotypes also exhibited a separate branching within the western group. It was observed that Giresun and Gümüşhane samples were divided into different lineages. A moderate degree of genetic differentiation was found between populations from east and west of the Kızılırmak. It was thought that the river or ecological barrier may be interrupting the continuity of forest habitats, restricting gene flow between populations. In the phylogenetic trees obtained, although it is seen that the western and eastern groupings are generally formed, it can be said that there is not a clear distinction between east and west.