Molecular phylogeny of Pipistrellus kaup, 1829 (Chiroptera: vespertilionidae) species distributed in Türki̇ye

The systematics of bat species remain taxonomically challenging due to morphological similarities and the presence of cryptic species complexes. In this context, molecular biology-based approaches transcend classical morphological definitions by providing clearer insights into both intraspecific and interspecific relationships. Studies employing mitochondrial markers—particularly the cytochrome b (Cytb) gene—have significantly contributed to understanding the genetic diversity and phylogenetic structure within the genus Pipistrellus. This thesis investigates four Pipistrellus species (P. pipistrellus, P. pygmaeus, P. kuhlii, and P. nathusii) distributed in Türkiye through molecular phylogenetic analyses based on Cytb gene sequences. DNA was extracted from samples collected across various geographical regions of Türkiye, followed by PCR amplification, sequencing, and phylogenetic analyses. In addition, the species' distribution patterns were assessed, and both inter- and intraspecific genetic variations were statistically evaluated. The results revealed that P. pipistrellus individuals form three major clades, with eastern and western clades coexisting in certain localities. In P. kuhlii, genetic traces corresponding to the P. k. lepidus and P. k. kuhlii subspecies groups were identified, suggesting that Türkiye functions as a transition zone between distinct lineages. For P. nathusii, individuals genetically similar to European lineages were detected in the Thrace and Black Sea regions. Moreover, the molecular identification of some individuals originally classified morphologically as P. pygmaeus matched P. pipistrellus, highlighting the limitations of morphological diagnostics in distinguishing cryptic species. Overall, the findings demonstrate that Türkiye is not merely a species distribution zone but also a region of concentrated phylogenetic diversity and ongoing evolutionary processes.