Population Structure of Edible Dormouse, Glis glis (Linnaeus, 1766) in Turkey, Inferred from RAPD-PCR

The genetic structure of Glis glis (LINNAEUS, 1766) using RAPD-PCR technique was analysed. This study is conducted on 35 individuals collected from seven localities of Turkey. Twelve of the 20 RAPD markers tested yielded 74 polymorphic DNA bands. To show the genetic relation between the studied populations, genetic distance and similarity calculations of Nei were used. The total genetic diversity and genetic differentiation values were calculated as H-T = 0.305 and G(ST) = 0.864, respectively. The dendrogram based on genetic distance data formed two clusters. The first one consisted of Kirklareli and Zonguldak populations. The second cluster was divided into two subgroups; the first one contained Ordu and Giresun populations, and the second subgroup was formed from Trabzon, Rize and Artvin populations. Populations from Thrace were not separated from those in Anatolia. All seven populations examined form North West Turkey and North East Turkey groups.