Analysis of genetic diversity of Eurasian Nuthatch (Sitta europaea Linnaeus, 1758) populations in Iran through mtDNA markers

The aim of the study is to investigate diversity, variation and genetic structure within Eurasian Nuthatches populations from Zagros and Alborz habitats. For this purpose, 19 individuals of four populations from Alborz (Golestan and Gilan) and Zagros forests were captured and blood samples were collected. Then genetic variations and Genealogical analysis was calculated using complete ND2 gene sequence (1041bp) and TRN model, Bayesian trees and maximum likelihood, respectively. Also, median joining algorithm showed the relationships among haplotypes. The results displayed that Alborz populations were separated from Zagros by 1 and 100 posterior probability and bootstrap values, respectively. In addition, among 19 sequenced samples, 12 unique haplotypes (eight individuals from Alborz and four haplotypes from Zagros) were analyzed, out of which, haplotypes of Alborz were distinct from haplotypes of Zagros populations by 32 mutations. FCT statistical values, resulted from Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA), represented significant variations in genetic structure among Alborz and Zagros populations. Moreover, FST revealed significant variations among all populations. The occurrence of spontaneous expansion for Alborz and Zagros populations was determined using neutrality tests. At last, the 3% genetic distance between Alborz and Zagros populations indicated local compromise by the two subspecies which can be considered as evolutionary units in conservation plans for biodiversity.