A study of genetic diversity among different population of Orthochirus sp. based on cytochrome C oxidase subunit I and 16srRNA sequencing

Abstract

Orthochirus sp. (Family: Buthidae) is widespread throughout the world. There are 17 species, 7 of which have been reportedin Khuzestan Province of Iran, including the most diverse species related to the scorpion. In the present study, specimens of O. iranus,O. farzanpay, O. zagrosensis, and O. stockwelli were collected from different areas in this province. Phylogenetic analysis was conductedthrough duplicating and sequencing the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COXI) and 16SrRNA genes and comparing their geneticdiversity. Orthochirus iranus had the highest genetic distance from O. stockwelli, while the lowest genetic distance was observed betweenO. farzanpay and O. stockwelli. In addition, the highest interspecific divergence was reported between the species of O. iranus andO. zagrosensis, while the lowest interspecific divergence was found between the species of O. farzanpay and O. stockwelli. The resultsindicated that cytochrome c oxidase (COXI) and 16SrRNA genes have species identification value.