Phylogeographic resolution of Botrylloides leachii (Savigny, 1816) from the North-eastern Mediterranean Sea

Globally distributed sea squirts (tunicates) are one of the most diverse taxonomic group among the chordates. They can undergo whole-body regeneration when it considers that regenerative abilities of vertebrates are highly limited and mostly restricted to the tissue or organ level, research on colonial tunicates is emerging as novel and highly promising field in both regenerative biology. Beside of these, Botrylloides leachii has a pivotal role in many other studies with their another special feature that is undergoing into hibernation when the ambient conditions are not favorable. The two genera of botryllid ascidian are spread among all of the world seas; the Botryllus genus consist 32 species and originated from the Mediterranean Sea and Botrylloides has 19 species. The presence of 6 botryllid ascidian species (Botrylloides leachii, Botrylloides niger, Botrylloides anceps, Botrylloides israliense, Botryllus schlosseri and Botryllus rosaceus) are confirmed in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. In this study, we are planning to clarify the phylogeographic resolution of Botrylloides leachii in the North Eastern Mediterranean Sea by using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers (cytochrome oxidase subunit I –COI and histone H3). Beside of these, blastogenic cycles of 14 samples have been monitored by daily for one month to understand differences between those morphs