Analysis of the Systematic Status of Capoeta aculeata in Qanats of Naieen-Ardestan, Namak and Karun Basins (Iran) Using the Gene COI

In this study 18 Capoeta aculeata from Qanats in Namak basin, Naieen, Ardestan and rivers in Karun basin were analyzed using Cytochrome Oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences. Totally 5 haplotypes were retrieved. The observed haplotypes in Qanats of Ardestan and Namak basin in Tehran province were exactly the same and this similarity can be a sign of common origin of them. The haplotypes observed in Qanats of Naieen region were different from haplotypes observed in other regions. The haplotypes observed in Karun and Namak basins were closely related. This close affinity can be indication of a past possible connection between the two basins. The K2P divergence among the haplotypes in the studied regions varied between 0.2-0.7 percent. The results showed that Capoeta group is a monophyletic group with close affinity to the species of the genus Luciobarbus compared to other genera analyzed here. The divergence of Capoeta aculeata from C. capoeta seems to be occurred about 4.24-5.1 MYA.