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A number of phylogeographic studies have revealed the existence of multiple ice age refugia within the Balkan Peninsula, marking it as a biodiversity hotspot. Greece has been reported to harbor genetically differentiated lineages from the rest of Balkans for a number of mammal species. We therefore searched for distinct red deer lineages in Greece, by analyzing 78 samples originating from its last population in Parnitha Mountain (Central Greece). Additionally, we tested the impact of human-induced practices on this population. The presence of 2 discrete mtDNA lineages was inferred: 1) an abundant one not previously sampled in the Balkans and 2) a more restricted one shared with other Balkan populations, possibly the result of successful translocations of Eastern European individuals. Microsatellite-based analyses of 14 loci strongly support the existence of 2 subpopulations with relative frequencies similar to mitochondrial analyses. This study stresses the biogeographic importance of Central Greece as a separate Last Glacial Maximum period refugium within the Balkans. It also delineates the possible effects that recent translocations of red deer populations had on the genetic structuring within Parnitha. We suggest that the Greek red deer population of Parnitha is genetically distinct, and restocking programs should take this genetic evidence into consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Many zooplanktonic organisms, like the cyclic parthenogenetic rotifer Brachionus plicatilis (Rotifera: Monogononta), are actually a complex of species and biotypes with a high degree of morphological similarity (i.e. cryptic species). Various phylogenetic studies with molecular markers (e.g. ITS1 and COI) on wild Brachionus populations described the presence of at least nine genetically divergent Brachionus species and biotypes. Because different studies found evidence that these cryptic species and biotypes differ significantly in ecological preferences and thus probably behave differently in response to rearing conditions in the hatchery, questions rise on the actual identity of the rotifer strains used in aquaculture, where Brachionus discrimination is still based on morphology. This study is a part of an investigation of the genetic make-up of strains used in hatcheries, aquaculture research institutes and laboratories, and describes the rapid and sensitive PCR–DGGE method for the detection of Brachionus species and biotypes based on nucleotide sequence variation within the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. Considerable genetic diversity was found, albeit smaller within hatcheries than within laboratories and aquaculture research institutes. All 16S haplotypes produced an unambiguous DGGE fingerprint out of which a database was constructed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]