Abstract
An extensive biogeographical survey was conducted from 2004 through part of
2007 of nematodes associated with the edible fig, Ficus carica, in seven
different regions of Turkey. Figs (syconia) were collected, dissected and
harvested for nematodes from 308 apparently wild or naturalised F. carica
trees along roadsides and trails. Nematode specimens were examined
morphologically and molecular analyses of sequences of the D2/D3 expansion
segments of the large subunit (LSU) rDNA and partial mitochondrial DNA COI
(mtCOI) were done. Of the 308 fig trees, 150 (49%) were positive for what
was morphologically confirmed to be Schistonchus caprifici. Figs on one tree
in Kahramanmaras city, South East Turkey, were found to contain S. caprifici
and dauer juveniles of what appears to be a diplogastrid nematode. Molecular
analyses produced congruent trees for both sequenced loci supporting the
hypothesis that S. caprifici from different locations in Turkey are part of
a well supported clade with some inherent variability. No geographic
patterns were observed for either locus suggesting that the sequences
generated represent inherent intraspecific variation for S. caprifici and
that human activities related to the culture of the edible fig have allowed
for mixing of any previously allopatric lineages.
