A preliminary molecular study of the Iranian species of Calomyscus (Rodentia- Calomyscidae) using RFLP

Document Type : Research articles

Authors

• B. Sahebjam ¹
• Jamshid Darvish ²
• Eskandar Rastegar Pouyani ³
• Roohollah Siahsarvie ²
• Safie Akbarirad ¹

¹ Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

² Rodentology Research Department, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

³ Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Sabzevar, Sabzevar, Iran

10.22067/ijab.v5i2.3337

Abstract

The Calomyscidae is a small family of Rodentia that has recently been classified into 8 species in a single genus, Calomyscus. Currently 5 species are reported in Iran: C. elburzensis,، C. bailwardi، C. grandis ، C. urartensis and C. hotsoni. Species discrimination based on morphological characteristics is difficult, so this study re-evaluated the phylogenetic relationships and taxonomic status of the morphotypes within Calomyscus using PCRRFLP as a molecular marker. Forty seven samples of Calomyscus spp from 9 geographically separated regions of Iran were analyzed. The cytochrome b gene was amplified by PCR, digested using 3 restriction enzymes, HinfI, HincII and HaeIII, and the patterns separated electrophoretically. Species of long tailed hamster were discriminated from one another. A phylogenetic analysis of the dataset produced well distinguished clades.

Keywords

• Calomyscus
• Cytochrome b
• RFLP

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