Distribution range of Bufo bufo species group (Anura, Bufonidae) along the Black Sea coast of Turkey inferred from molecular data

With the geological and phylogeogrophic history Anatolian geography, which is the junction point of three different biological hotspot, served as a speciation centre and home range for many different species. The systematic uncertainty of the species (Bufo bufo and Bufo verrucosissimus) belonging to Bufo bufo species group living in Anatolia still has been continuing. As literature is investigated, the disordance among the results of recent molecular studies is standing out. With this thesis, it is aimed to resolve the systematic problem. In this context the haplogroups were determined by using the mitochondrial DNA (16S and Cytb) and nuclear DNA (RPL3) sequences of 51 individuals from 17 provinces locating along the Black Sea Region and the sequences obtained from GenBank. Phylogenetic analyses (Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference) were carried out by using these haplogroups. As a result of mitochondrial DNA sequence analyses, it was found that Artvin specimens nested in the same branch with Georgian samples belonging to Bufo verrucosissimus species while the rest of all haplogroups on a different branch and belonging to Bufo bufo species. As to nuclear DNA sequences analyses, all the samples nested in a single branch, therefore, a clear seperation was not determined.