Investigation of mitochondrial DNA of some West Anatolian Gammarus species (Crustacea: Amphipoda) by PCR-RAPD techniques

Abstract

Aim: Mitochondrial DNA is widely used in order to estimate the amount of genetic variability within and between different species, because of its conserved structure and organization. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Polymerase Chain Reaction (RAPD-PCR) can be used for both systematic and genetic studies. In this study, it was aimed to investigate mitochondrial DNA variation of some West Anatolia Gammarus species (Crustacea: Amphipoda) by RAPD-PCR. Material and Methods: In this study, Gammarus species were obtained from different localities of West Anatolia and mitochondrial DNA was extracted with the Chelex method. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Polymerase Chain Reaction assays were used to estimate mtDNA variation. The genetic similarities were determined by statistical analyses. Results: In this study, mtDNA isolated from 129 individuals of Gammarus sp were analyzed by RAPD-PCR using 39 different random 10-mer primers, but PCR amplification were only obtained with primers M13, OPB08 and B7. The results were evaluated by Nei Genetic Distance Dendogram Program modified from Phylip 3.5 version. The tested Gammarus species were found as closely-related in a cluster except for Gammarus uludagi. These species were also shown as a distant relative to the other Gammarus sp. Conclusion: RAPD-PCR analysis of mitochondrial DNA employed in this study reveals that there is a close relationship between studied West Anatolian Gammarus species. This study is also reinforce the fact that the mitochondrial DNA can be used as a powerful molecular marker in phylogenetic relationships. Conflict of Interest: Authors declare no conflict of interest