Cytogenetics analyses of the genus Spermophilus Cuvier, 1825 (Mammalia: Rodentia) species distributed in Turkey

Cytogenetic analysis were studied on three species of the genus Spermophilus distributed in Turkey (S. citellus, S. xanthoprymnus and S. taurensis). Different chromosomal features occurring in different subpopulations of S. xanthoprymnus, which has a wide distribution area in Anatolia and the absence of Turkey's population of banded chromosome studies in S. citellus and the fact that different chromosome morphologies are still encountered in the S. taurensis population led us to carry out this study. With this study, G, C and Ag-NORs banding of S. xanthoprymnus, sampled from Bolkar Mountains, and S. citellus was performed. The G, C banding patterns and Ag-NORs chromosome features was given for the first time from the samples of S. citellus obtained from Turkish Thrace. In addition, new chromosomal features of S. taurensis, an endemic species, were also presented. In this study, diploid chromosome number of S. xanthoprymnus was 2n=42, fundemental chromosome number (NF) was 82, autosomal chromosome number (NFa) was 78, while C banding revealed a heterochromatin region in one chromosome. As a result of Ag-NOR staining of S. xanthoprymnus, eight NOR stains were determined in the male sample, and six NOR stains were detected in the female sample. The diploid chromosome number of S. citellus species was determined as 2n=40, NF=77, NFa=74, while C banding revealed a heterochromatin area in two chromosomes. As a result of Ag-NOR staining of S. citellus species, seven NOR staining were detected. S. taurensis species, diploid chromosome number was determined as 2n=40, NF= 80, NFa= 76. As a result, in this thesis, NOR number difference, chromosome arm number difference and different heterochromatin block areas were determined between species. Although the fundemental chromosome numbers of these three species are similar to previous studies, their chromosome morphologies are different. This difference is thought to be caused by factors such as geographical isolation, some mutations and habitat difference.