First Report on the Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of Fannia Sp. (Diptera: Fanniidae) İdentified in Türkiye

Abstract

This study provides the first data on the molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of Fannia sp. specimens collected from livestock farms in Kırşehir province, Türkiye. Two molecular markers, the mitochondrial DNA COI gene and the partial region of the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) gene, were used for the molecular characterization of the specimens. All COI sequences were identical, representing a single haplotype. Similarly, all ITS2 sequences were identical, representing a single genotype. The BLASTn analysis of the Turkish Fannia COI haplotype showed 100% similarity to Fannia canicularis haplotypes from Portugal, Spain, China, Finland, India, South Korea, Poland, and Canada, and to Fannia subpubescens Collin, 1958 from Finland, and Fannia sp. from Canada, suggesting these are likely F. canicularis. The COI barcode region successfully separated the Fannia species into monophyletic clusters in ML and BI analysis. Besides, the BLASTn analysis of the Turkish Fannia ITS2 genotype revealed lower similarity (64.2% - 88.4%) to ITS2 sequences from other Fannia species. These findings suggest that the mitochondrial COI barcode region is a reliable marker for differentiating the Fannia species. Further studies are needed to elucidate the genetic diversity and epidemiology of these flies in Türkiye.