Abstract:

This study was designed to evaluate the genetic diversity, population structure, and demographic history of Paratanytarsus dissimilis (Diptera: Chironomidae) sampled from some regions of Turkey using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. For this purpose, a total of 32 P. dissimilis larvae representing 7 populations in Turkey were collected, sequenced, and analysed. Fifteen haplotypes were identified in the study area, and it was observed that all of these haplotypes except one haplotype (H9) were unique to a population. Relatively high haplotype diversity (h=0.95161) and low nucleotide diversity (π=0.04624) were detected for the overall population. Maximum likelihood (ML) and haplotype network analyses suggested that these 7 populations could be divided into three groups as East, Hatay, and West. It was determined in analyses of molecular variance (AMOVA) and pairwise FST comparisons that P. dissimilis in Turkey exhibited high genetic structuring at several levels (p<0.01). Further, as a result of the performed neutrality tests and mismatch distribution analyses, it was detected that both the three groups and the overall population were demographically stable, and no deviations from neutrality were observed for expansion or a bottleneck. In this study, the genetic diversity, population structure, and demographic history of some P. dissimilis populations in Turkey were evaluated, and a contribution was made to the current knowledge on the life history and sustainability of the species. Nevertheless, further studies using more samples, sampling sites, and molecular markers are needed to better understand the population diversity and demographic history of P. dissimilis.

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