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There have been many different agricultural support tools varying by countries. These agricultural support tools are determined according to different indicators such as the policies, expectations, regions, and economic levels of the countries and may differ from each other. One of these agricultural support tools is Less Favoured Area (LFAs) that has been applied for a long time. Turkey has many geographically different regions and many different agricultural support tools like those in the other counties However, considering the EU full membership process policies, a specified support tool for the LFAs, which are widely used in the EU, has not been implemented in Turkey. Mersin province is one of the areas where that is an issue and so was selected for this study. The province has a dual structure, with high mountains (Taurus) and wide plains. People in the mountainous areas make a living from animal production, especially goat breeding. The study framework was based on the logistic regression model, which was compared farmers' descriptive statistics and socio-economic features in villages in the mountainous/semi-mountainous areas and on the plains of Mersin province. Farmers’ intentions for land allocation and livestock and their migration tendencies were analysed in different scenarios. Age, experience, number of small ruminants, land size and credit usage were found to have a statistically significant effect on farmers’ decisions about continuing farming. Their decisions changed across the policy scenarios provided, and a policy that considers regional differences was found to be significant in their decisions. The paper shows agricultural support policies should consider regional differences to compensate for income losses due to physical conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Türkiye is known to have the highest diversity of the spider family Agelenidae in the Western Palaearctic and the highest diversity of the subfamily Ageleninae globally. The new agelenid genus Anatextrix gen. nov. (Ageleninae, Textricini) and its type species, A. spectabilis sp. nov. (♂♀; Mersin and Adana provinces, southern Türkiye), are described. A key to all four genera of Textricini is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Non-Indigenous Species (NIS) Caulerpa taxifolia var. distichophylla (Sonder) Verlaque, Huisman & Procaccini has been reported for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea along the coast of South Turkey. This NIS is actively expanding into the Eastern and Western Mediterranean Sea. In this paper, we present an overview of the current distribution of this alga in the Mediterranean Sea, based on relevant scientific publications, grey literature and personal observations. New records from the Sicilian coast (Italy) are also reported. Caulerpa taxifolia var. distichophylla was found over a wide range of environmental conditions (depth, light and substratum), suggesting a broad ecological plasticity of this alga which makes it a potential threat for the Mediterranean benthic communities. In this respect, artificial structures, often linked to harbours and maritime traffic, seem to provide suitable habitats for this NIS. Since maritime traffic is intense in the Mediterranean Sea, further expansion of C. taxifolia var. distichophylla in this region is to be expected. For this reason, it is very important to build up an overview on the current distribution of the species and its possible pattern of colonisation in relation to environmental conditions, as well as in view of future climate change scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present the impact categorizations of 51 alien plant species in Turkey, which were determined using the Generic Impact Scoring System (GISS). The evidence on environmental and socioeconomic impacts of these alien species was searched in literature. Impacts were classified into 12 categories (six for environmental and six for socioeconomic) and, within each category, the impact was assessed on a six degree scale. Environmental impacts were recorded for 80% of the species and mostly concern ecosystem processes (changes in nutrient or water availability and disturbance regimes), while socioeconomic impacts, identified for 78% of the species assessed, are typically associated with agricultural production or human health. Summed scores of individual species across categories of environmental and socioeconomic impacts were not significantly correlated. By taking into account the actual distribution of the assessed species, we evaluated the regional distribution of (potential) impacts in Turkey. The Black Sea region harbours the highest number of species with impacts (34 species, i.e. 67% of the total assessed for the whole country), 28 species were recorded in the Marmara, 21 in the Mediterranean, 17 in the Aegean and 12 in each of the South East Anatolia, Central Anatolia and East Anatolia regions. The species that have negative impact on forestry are only found in three regions. Altogether 21 species are agricultural weeds, but we only found evidence of a minor socioeconomic impact for some of them. Determining the impacts based on specific criteria (i) provides basis for objective risk assessment of plant invasions in Turkey, (ii) can be taken as early warning to combat these plants and (iii) contributes to the growing body of evidence of the impacts of alien plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New taxonomic and faunistic data on the agelenid spiders of Turkiye and the Caucasus are provided. Five species are described as new to science: Maimuna antalyensis sp. nov. (♂♀; Turkiye: Antalya), Tegenaria ballarini sp. nov. (♂♀; Turkiye: Antalya), T. beyazcika sp. nov. (♂; Turkiye: Antalya), T. egrisiana sp. nov. (♂♀; Georgia: Imereti), and T. hoeferi sp. nov. (♂♀; Armenia: Kotayk). Tegenaria lazarovi Dimitrov, 2020, syn. nov. is proposed as a new junior synonym of T. averni Brignoli, 1978. Persiscape caucasica (Guseinov, Marusik & Koponen, 2005) is newly reported from Armenia, and T. chumachenkoi Kovblyuk & Ponomarev, 2008 is reported for the first time from Turkiye. New distribution records for T. dalmatica Kulczyński, 1906, T. hamid Brignoli, 1978, T. longimana Simon, 1898 and T. percuriosa Brignoli, 1972, and topotype material for T. tekke Brignoli, 1978 are reported. The record of Eratigena fuesslini (Pavesi, 1873) from Turkiye is found to be based on a misidentification, and is herein attributed to T. hamid. The presence of an embolic spine, unknown in any other species of Tegenaria, is documented in T. anhela Brignoli, 1972 for the first time. Photographs are provided for all treated species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species from Turkey, Anteon leleji sp. nov. (Hymenoptera, Dryinidae), is described and illustrated. Its relationship with Palaearctic and Afrotropical species of Anteon is discussed. The new species is close to A. xericum Olmi & van Harten described from Yemen, and known also from other Afrotropical countries. The key to the Palaearctic species of Anteon is modified to include the new species. New records of Anteon species from Turkey are registered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species, Sarcophaga (Pandelleisca) mersinensis sp. nov. is described from the Mediterranean region of Turkey. The male terminalia are documented with line drawings, photographs and scanning electron microscope images. The species is compared with the two most similar species, Sarcophaga (Pandelleisca) baudeti (Lehrer) and Sarcophaga (Pandelleisca) theodori (Lehrer), both known from Israel. A key is provided to the western Palaearctic species of Pandelleisca Rohdendorf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turkey falls within Vavilov's Center of origin and harbors large genetic diversity of several economically important crop species. Wild crop relative, such as wild einkorn, wild emmer, wild barley, wild oats, wild rye and their respective domesticated forms, in addition to a multitude of other crop species, have been cultivated for millennia in several parts of Turkey, but especially in the northern part of the Fertile Crescent. Turkish farmers developed landraces from these crops; however, these landraces and the indigenous knowledge gained over many generations are being lost due to several anthropogenic and other factors. Landraces of wheat and other major and minor crops still play an important role in the livelihood of small scale farmers in Turkey. This paper reviews and contrasts the current status of Turkey's main wheat landraces with their past; and suggests specific strategies for their maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on results of several collecting trips of the authors in Turkey. In the course of this research, a long-lasting question was addressed. It could be proven that the nominal species Bulimus frivaldskyi L. Pfeiffer, 1847 is closely related to Meijeriella canaliculata Bank, 1985, and thus this species is shifted from the genus Ena Turton, 1831, to the genus Meijeriella Bank, 1985. Meijeriella canaliculata Bank, 1985, could be recorded from Turkey for the first time. The nomenclatural situation of the species Euchondrus septemdentatus (Roth, 1839) vs. its replacement name Euchondrus borealis (Mousson, 1874) is discussed. A new arrangement of the species formely comprised in the genus Zebrina Held, 1837 is presented, and the genera Rhabdoena Kobelt & Moellendorff, 1902, and Leucomastus A. Wagner, 1927 are re-established. The following species and subspecies new to science could be described: Vitrea gostelii sp. n. (Pristilomatidae), Turanena demirsoyi sp. n., Euchondrus paucidentatus sp. n., Rhabdoena gostelii sp. n. (all Enidae), Metafruticicola kizildagensis sp. n. (Hygromiidae), and Assyriella thospitis menkhorsti ssp. n. (Helicidae). For several other species, new distribution records are listed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chyromyidae of Turkey are reviewed and all 15 species known from the country are listed. The following are new records: Chyromya miladae Andersson, 1976, Gymnochiromyia inermis (Collin, 1933), Aphaniosoma approximatum Becker, 1903, A. micromacro Carles-Tolrá, 2001, A. propinquans Collin, 1949 and A. proximum Ebejer, 1998. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tulum cheese is one of the most important conventional fermented dairy products produced in Türkiye. In this study, the effects of modified atmosphere packaging on the microbiological, physicochemical, sensory properties, and shelf life of Tulum cheese were investigated. For this aim, Tulum cheese samples were divided into four groups (B=100% CO2, C =100% N2, D=70% N2+30% CO2, E=75% N2+25% CO2), and the control samples were packaged in the air (A). These samples stored at 4±1°C were analyzed for the microbiological, chemical, and sensory on days 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, and 240. TMAB, LLP, lactic streptococcus, lipolytic microorganisms, proteolytic microorganisms, and yeast-mold counts increased while the counts of coliform group bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, and Staphylococcus aureus continually decreased in all groups during the storage. During the storage period, the E. coli and sulfate-reducing anaerobic bacteria counts were detected below detectable levels (<1.0 log10 CFU/g) in all groups. Other chemical parameter values increased continuously while pH values continually decreased during the storage in all the groups. It was observed that the total sensory scores of the samples decreased continually during the storage period. However, when the scores of the E group were evaluated within themselves, significant differences were obtained. In conclusion, Tulum cheese samples packaged in MAP showed significant changes in quality, and their shelf life was extended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Crimean barbel, Barbus tauricus Kessler, 1877, is a riverine cyprinid fish commonly found in welloxygenated streams with gravel bottom in the Black and Azov Sea basins. Its population has plummeted in the Salgir, Chornaya, and Alma rivers (Crimea) and hence this fish has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. The knowledge about its age, growth, length-weight relation, spawning period, and diet composition are either scarce or not available. This paper aimed to fill the existing gaps in the knowledge by describing selected biological characteristics of B. tauricus in the Çiftekavak Stream, in the outskirts of the city of Rize, NE Turkey. Materials and methods. Crimean barbel were collected by electrofishing (60 Hz pulsed DC) from April to November 2014. The total length (L, cm) and weight (W, g) of each specimen were recorded, and sagittal otoliths, gonads, and gut contents were then recovered. The length-weight relation (LWR) was calculated by a simple power function W=aLb. The age rings on sagittal otoliths were counted to determine fish age that was later used to analyse their growth by various growth models. The wet weight of gonads was used to calculate the gonadosomatic index (GSI). The gut contents were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level and the contribution of a prey in the total diet composition was analysed by the occurrence frequency of prey groups (%O) and by numerical percentage frequency of prey groups (%N). Results. The age ranged from 0 to 4 years and more than 50% of the fish represented the 0-year group followed by 1-year group (21.9%) and 2-year group (13.5%). The von Bertalanffy growth model adequately described the correlation between the fish length and the age and indicated that females grew faster than males. The LWR identified negative allometric growth patterns in males and females. The higher values of GSI from males and females were recorded from April through July, while the lowest value of GSI was observed from September through November indicating the completion of the spawning season. A total of 14 prey items (including sand grains) were identified from the guts of Crimean barbel. The main prey items were Culex sp. (larva + pupa + adult), Chironomidae, followed by Ephemeridae and Zygoptera. They constituted up to >78%O (>95%N) of the diet. Conclusions. The results of this study will assess the conservative regulations and policies that will eventually provide a sustainable management of Crimean barbel stocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out in the Kızılırmak Delta Cernek Bird Ringing Station, Central Black Sea Region, during August and September 2020, to survey the louse species found on shorebirds (Aves: Charadriiformes). A total of 241 birds belonging to 13 species were searched for chewing lice. Eleven species in six genera of the family Scolopacidae (Actitis hypoleucos, Arenaria interpres, Calidris alba, Calidris alpina, Calidris falcinellus, Calidris ferruginea, Calidris minuta, Gallinago gallinago, Tringa glareola, Tringa totanus, Xenus cinereus) and two species in one genus of the family Charadriidae (Charadrius dubius, Charadrius hiaticula) were examined. Birds were caught alive with mist-nets, ringed, searched for lice, and released. A total of 153 birds (63.49%) were infested with lice belonging to 16 species, five amblycerans: Actornithophilus bicolor, Actornithophilus ochraceus, Actornithophilus totani, Actornithophilus umbrinus, Austromenopon lutescens, and eleven ischnocerans: Carduiceps fulvofasciatus, Carduiceps meinertzhageni, Carduiceps zonarius, Lunaceps actophilus, Lunaceps falcinellus, Lunaceps schismatus, Quadraceps hiaticulae, Quadraceps obscurus, Quadraceps ravus, Quadraceps strepsilaris and Saemundssonia platygaster frater. These eight species are new records for Turkey: Ac. bicolor, Ac. ochraceus, Ca. fulvofasciatus, Lu. falcinellus, Lu. schismatus, Qu. ravus, Qu. strepsilaris and Sa. platygaster frater. In addition, Qudraceps hiaticulae was recorded from Little ringed plovers (Charadrius dubius) for the first time in the world in this study. According the lice checklist of wild birds in Turkey, a total of 188 bird species examined and 122 of them were infested, and a total of 217 chewing lice species has been recorded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey of yellow dwarf viruses (YDVs) -associated diseases of wheat plants was performed for the first time in the Şırnak Province, Turkey. In plants wheat cultivated areas, symptoms such as diminished leaf size, dwarfing, yellowing, and reddening of leaves wheat plants were observed in cultivated areas. A total of 441 specimens were collected regardless of showing symptoms and assayed for Barley/Cereal Yellow Dwarf Viruses [B/CYDV] association by PCR tests using virus coat protein gene (CPG)-specific primer pairs. These assays demonstrated that 13.38% (55 samples) were positive to the occurrence of BYDV-PAV (9.73%) and CYDV-RPV (0.73%) for wheat viruses, but no BYDV-MAV, -SGV, and -RMV infections of BYDVs were found in PCR assays of collected samples. In addition, double infection of BYDV-PAV and CYDV-RPV was detected in 12 samples with a 2.91% infection rate. The CPG sequences of randomly selected two isolates were revealed using bacterial cloning and sequencing. Sequences obtained were deposited in GenBank under Accession numbers OL685734 and OL685736 for BYDV-PAV; and OL685735 and OL685737 for CYDV-RPV. BLASTn analysis of CPG sequences of four isolates shared high nucleotide homology with their intraspecies isolates, with 97.35-98.67% for two BYDV-PAV and 97.72-97.89 for two CYDV-RPV. The consensus tree constructed classified B/CYDV-associated wheat viruses with their phylogenetically closest individuals from Turkey and the world. This survey is the first report of BYDV-PAV and CYDV-RPV associated with wheat plants in Şırnak Province of Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The green cone-headed planthopper, Acanalonia conica (Say, 1830) (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Flatidae), is native to North America and is already found in several European countries. The species is found to occur in Bulgaria and Türkiye for the first time and is the first representative of the family Acanaloniidae in both countries. The localities in Bulgaria where the species has been recorded are in the town of Malko Tarnovo, near the Turkish border, while the locality in Türkiye is in the Asiatic part of Istanbul. Data on the current distribution range in Europe, a list of plants on which A. conica has been found, and photos of the species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for organic products has increased with the increase in individuals’ education and income levels, their sensitivity to the quality of the products, and their willingness to pay higher prices for natural and quality products. Confidence in organic products, caring about the health effects of organic products, and the ease of accessing them are among the factors that increase their consumption. Organic products are also perceived as natural products in Turkey. The awareness of questioning the certificates and logos of purchased organic products has not yet been formed. Those who do not know the legislation, such as the organic logo requirement, perceive all kinds of natural products obtained from rural areas as organic. In this study, 477 questionnaires from households were obtained in Bursa, the 4th largest city in Turkey. The study aimed to reveal organic milk and dairy products (OMDP) consumption perceptions, consumption status, and reasons for preference by participants’ income level. Consumers’ awareness and perceptions of OMDP, their OMDP consumption status, and the relationship between OMDP consumption and income level. The study also inquired whether consumers would be willing to pay more for OMDP and whether this willingness to pay was affected by income levels. Middle-income consumers consumed the most organic milk—consumers with high income purchased OMDP the least. However, in case of increased product awareness, half of the high-income consumers were willing to pay 30% more for OMDP. This research is a reliable, empirical field study to reveal Turkish OMDP consumers’ characteristics and contribute to the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Red meat consumption in the world is in a rapid upward trend and has reached a level that involves many sectors. Studies on red meat consumption have become a guide not only for policies for the red meat sector, but also for health and environmental practices. With its population size, structure and economy among emerging economies, Türkiye has an important place in red meat consumption. In the present study, red meat consumption in Türkiye and the factors affecting the amount of consumption were examined with the two-stage Heckman Model. According to the findings obtained, red meat consumption in Türkiye is mainly beef and lamb. It was found that factors such as income, religious belief, regionality, education and household size affect the amount of consumption. An important finding of the study was that only 29.1% of consumers had enough red meat consumption that meets the criteria for a balanced diet. This rate is a proof that people living in the country should reconsider their policies in terms of access to adequate and balanced food. On the other hand, the per capita consumption of red meat determined for Turkey in the study was found to be considerably higher than the official figures. This difference between the values can be reduced by improving the control system for keeping records in enterprises and by making adjustments in the calculation criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic decision-support tools are becoming an essential component of government strategies to tackle non-native species invasions. This study describes the development and application of a multilingual electronic decision-support tool for screening terrestrial animals under current and future climate conditions: the Terrestrial Animal Species Invasiveness Screening Kit (TAS-ISK). As an adaptation of the widely employed Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit (AS-ISK), the TAS-ISK question template inherits from the original Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) and related WRA-type toolkits and complies with the 'minimum requirements' for use with the recent European Regulation on invasive alien species of concern. The TAS-ISK consists of 49 basic questions on the species' biogeographical/historical traits and its biological/ecological interactions, and of 6 additional questions to predict how climate change is likely to influence the risks of introduction, establishment, dispersal and impact of the screened species. Following a description of the main features of this decision-support tool as a turnkey software application and of its graphical user interface with support for 32 languages, sample screenings are provided in different risk assessment areas for one representative species of each of the main taxonomic groups of terrestrial animals supported by the toolkit: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, annelids, insects, molluscs, nematodes, and platyhelminths. The highest-scoring species were the red earthworm Lumbricus rubellus for the Aegean region of Turkey and the New Zealand flatworm Arthurdendyus triangulatus for Croatia. It is anticipated that adoption of this toolkit will mirror that of the worldwide employed AS-ISK, hence allowing to share information and inform decisions for the prevention of entry and/or dispersal of (high-risk) non-native terrestrial animal species - a crucial step to implement early-stage control and eradication measures as part of rapid-response strategies to counteract biological invasions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying risk and uncertainty is paramount and there are methods and tools deployed to alleviate risk and uncertainty for a supply network to be resilient (Kumar, Mangla, Kumar and Song, 2021). And supply chain orientation (SCO) is one of tools to mitigate supply chain risk and uncertainty (SCRU). The goal of the study is to identify the impact of SCO on SCRU in the dairy supply chain. And the other purpose of the study is to investigate perception differences among supply chain members (dairy farmers, dairy plants and dairy retailers) of SCO and SCRU. And scope of the study is dairy farmers, dairy plants and dairy retailers that are doing business in Erzurum dairy supply chain. And Erzurum city is chosen for the study because economic events taking place in Erzurum has wider consequences for the whole region. According to the study it is determined that there is a perception difference among dairy supply network partners of SCO and SCRU. And finally, it is determined that SCO affects dairy SCRU negatively. This means as SCO among members increases SCRU decreases in the dairy products supply network. So, SCO can be an effective tool for mitigating SCRU in the dairy products supply chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Celonites ivanovi sp. nov. is described as a new species from Dagestan where it has been recorded from dry habitats in a small area on the northern side of the Greater Caucasus. Celonites cagrii sp. nov. is described from Erzurum Province in east Turkey. As in other members of the C. cyprius-group, the females of both species were observed to visit flowers of Heliotropium (Boraginaceae). A morphological examination including the male genitalia of all species of the C. cyprius-group revealed that C. ivanovi sp. nov. and C. cagrii sp. nov. share the apomorphic characters of this group and are closely related to Celonites osseus Morawitz, 1888. Mean genetic distance between C. ivanovi sp. nov. and C. cagrii sp. nov. based on COI-5 sequences is 7.40%. The geographical distribution of all members of the C. cyprius-group is summarized and an illustrated key is provided for the identification of males and females of the species. A lectotype is designated for C. osseus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to estimate the future of the global hazelnut sector for 2019-2025 using the data of 1961-2018. ARIMA model was used to forecast hazelnut production and export quantity. Hirschman Herfindahl Index (HHI) and Concentration Ratios (CR) have been used to determine market status. According to HHI and CR, the world hazelnut market was oligopoly in 1961-2018 and the biggest player in this market was Turkey. Because Turkey was the largest manufacturer and marketer of hazelnut in the industry, 64% of the production and 67% of the exports of world hazelnut were provided by Turkey as the average in the period 2011-2018. Turkey thus determines the world price in hazelnut. According to the concentration ratio, CR1 will be 0.63 and 0.67 in the export and production; this means that about 63-67% of the world hazelnut production and export will have been provided by Turkey from 2019 to 2025. The number of countries producing, and exporting hazelnuts has risen from 13 to 32, and 9 to 58, respectively in the past fifty-eight years in the world. According to the findings of this study, it was forecasted that the competition degree of Turkey’s hazelnut export market will decrease during the period from 2019 to 2025. The results obtained from this study will help policymakers to monitor the way for hazelnut marketing in Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Phelypaea includes three holoparasite species with one of the most intense red flowers among all plants worldwide. So far, there are few references to other colour taxa of this genus. We describe a new yellow-coloured form, Phelypaea boissieri f. lutea, from Hakkari province in the Cilo Mountains of SE Turkey, found at an altitude of 2,470 m. In typical P. boissieri, here typified by us, the flowers are deeply red, and stems, calyx and scales are red to brown, or rarely pale-brown, whereas in the entire population of f. lutea the corolla, calyx, and scales are yellow to orange with black folds in the corolla, while only the stem is brownish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The agelenid spider species Coelotes vignai Brignoli, 1978 was described, based on female specimens from Turkey. New information: The unknown male is here described, based on specimens from the type locality: Bolu, Abant Mountains, Turkey. The variation of the female copulatory organs is illustrated. The relationships of the species with its putative closest congeners are discussed. The discrepancy between the morphological terminology used in the Coelotinae and Ageleninae is discussed and some suggestions how to unify them are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive species pose threats to either human health or inflict ecological and/or economic damage. The silver-cheeked toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus), a Lessepsian species, is one of the most harmful species in the Mediterranean Sea, because of its potent neurotoxin, impacts on marine biodiversity, and the increased costs and labor they inflict on fishers. Since the catch and consumption of this pufferfish is prohibited by almost all countries bordering the Mediterranean, they have now expanded into the entire Mediterranean and Black Sea. We performed a comprehensive study of L. sceleratus covering ecological aspects, growth, reproduction, diet and trophic level based on samples from southwestern coasts of Turkey. The estimated growth parameters were L8 = 88.7 cm, K = 0.27 year-1, C = 0.6 and WP = 0.1. Their sexratio was M/F = 1:0.69. Lagocephalus sceleratus appears to be a batch spawner with discontinuous oocyte recruitment and has different spawning seasons in the Eastern Mediterranean which seem to be based on temperature cues which get shorter in duration as one moves north from the Suez. We also report their first positive ecological trait, that they are controlling some other invasive species through their diets, such as lionfish, Red Sea goatfish, rabbitfish and longspine sea urchins, in addition to controlling themselves through cannibalism, which appears to be density-dependent. They are indeed a top predator in the region with a trophic level of 4.1. We suggest that targeted fishing using improved gear-types to reduce fishing gear damages are initiated, and that finding commercial markets for pufferfish could help to naturally fund ongoing control efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to estimate apricot production quantities in 2018-2025 periods by using 1961-2017 data of the leading countries in apricot production in the world. 57-year data were obtained from FAOSTAT and analyzed with the help of the SAS 9.4 statistics program. In order to determine these predictions, ARIMA models have been used. In cases where the data is not stationary, the one-year delay was made and the most suitable ARIMA model was chosen according to AIC, BIC, SSE, MSE, MPE criteria. According to the 8-year average estimation based on 26 years of data, the share of countries in apricot production is formed by Turkey with 19%, Uzbekistan with 14%, Algeria with 7%, Iran with 6%, and Italy with 6%. Turkey ranked second after Spain in fresh apricot exports and first in the dried apricots although dried apricot export prices are less than Germany price currently, the government focusing on higher-quality types in fresh and dried apricots, France, and the Netherlands supplied dried apricots from Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Megagrapha starki Barták & Grootaert, sp. nov. (Poland, Russia, Slovakia), Oedalea portugalica Barták & Grootaert, sp. nov. (Portugal), Hybos conicus Grootaert & Barták, sp. nov. (Greece, Turkey), and Platypalpus obscuroides Barták & Grootaert, sp. nov. (Slovakia) are described and illustrated. Diagnostic characters are discussed. The female of Syndyas merzi Shamshev & Grootaert, 2012 is described for the first time. New distributional records are presented: Megagrapha europaea Papp & Földvári, 2001 is first reported from Slovakia and Syndyas merzi Shamshev & Grootaert, 2012 is first reported from Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atelestus turcicus Barták, sp. nov. (Turkey) and Atelestus ibericus Barták, sp. nov. (Spain) are described and illustrated. A key to all known Palaearctic species of Atelestus is provided and the main diagnostic characters are discussed. The female of Nemedina acutiformis Carles-Tolrá, 2008 is described for the first time. New distributional records are presented: Atelestus dissonans Collin, 1961 - first records from Spain and Bulgaria, A. pulicarius (Fallén, 1816) - first record from Turkey, Nemedina alamirabilis Chandler, 1981 - first record from Bulgaria and N. acutiformis Carles-Tolrá, 2008 - first record from Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Golden jackal (Canis aureus) expansion in the last decades has triggered research interest in Europe. However, jackal phylogeny and taxonomy are still controversial. Morphometric studies in Europe found differences between Dalmatian and the other European jackals. Recent genetic studies revealed that African and Eurasian golden jackals are distinct species. Moreover, large Canis aureus lupaster may be a cryptic subspecies of the African golden jackal. Although genetic studies suggest changes in Canis aureus taxonomy, morphological and morphometric studies are still needed. The present study proposes the first comprehensive analysis on a wide scale of golden jackal skull morphometry. Extensive morphometric data of jackal skulls from Europe (including a very large Bulgarian sample), Asia Minor, and North Africa were analysed, by applying recently developed statistical tools, to address the following questions: (i) is there geographic variation in skull size and shape among populations from Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus?, (ii) is the jackal population from the Dalmatian coast different?, and (iii) is there a clear distinction between the Eurasian golden jackal (Canis aureus) and the African wolf (Canis lupaster sensu lato), and among populations of African wolves as well? Principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis were applied on the standardized and logtransformed ratios of the original measurements to clearly separate specimens by shape and size. The results suggest that jackals from Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus belong to one subspecies: Canis aureus moreotica (I. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1835), despite the differences in shape of Dalmatian specimens. The present study confirmed morphometrically that all jackals included so far in the taxon Canis aureus sensu lato may represent three taxa and supports the hypothesis that at least two different taxa (species?) of Canis occur in North Africa, indicating the need for further genetic, morphological, behavioural and ecological research to resolve the taxonomic uncertainty. The results are consistent with recent genetic and morphological studies and give further insights on golden jackal taxonomy. Understanding the species phylogeny and taxonomy is crucial for the conservation and management of the expanding golden jackal population in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A list of all the species of Chamaemyiidae known from Turkey is compiled from the literature and supplemented by new records. A total of 40 species in five genera is given with updated nomenclature. One undescribed species is illustrated but not named for lack of males. The distribution of each species outside Turkey is summarised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Faunistic records for 88 frit flies species from southwestern Turkey (Muğla province) and from Samsun (north Turkey) are given. Two species, Dicraeus civeleki sp. n., and Meromyza samsunensis sp. n., are described as new to science. Altogether, nine genera (Calamoncosis, Eribolus, Gaurax, Incertella, Speccafrons, Trachysiphonella, Chloropsina, Eutropha, and Lagaroceras) and 46 species are recorded for the first time from Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oenanthe millefolia (Apiaceae), which is presented as a new recorded species for the Turkish flora, was discovered for the first time in Kırklareli province of Turkey. It is also reported as a new species for the Greek flora based on an unidentified specimen which was collected from the Thrace region of Greece. In this study, an expanded morphological description, the geographical distribution, the habitat properties and the ecological features of the species are exhibited with illustrative figures. Moreover, the micromorphological and anatomical characters of the fruits and the anatomical properties of the stem, petiole, leaves and the palynological features of Oe. millefolia are determined and described for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Onosma anatolica Binzet, is described and illustrated as a new species from Niğde province in southern Anatolia, Turkey. It belongs to sect. Onosma L. subsect. Asterotricha (Boiss.) Gürke. The new species is closely related to Onosma subulifolia Riedl from which it is distinguished. O. anatolica is readily distinguished from O. subulifolia by its sterile shoots, the green-grey stem indumentum, longer bracts, yellow and puberulous petals. The IUCN threat category of O. anatolica is determined as "CR (Critically Endangered)". A distribution map and anidentification key for O. anatolica and O. subulifolia supplement the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tricimba rudolfi Kubík, sp. n. (Czech Republic, Portugal), Tricimba chalupi Kubík, sp. n. (Czech Republic), and Tricimba dursuni Kubík, sp. n. (Turkey) are described and illustrated. First records of Tricimba kaplanae Dely-Draskovits, 1983 from Corsica and Tricimba hungarica Dely-Draskovits, 1983 from Turkey are listed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to determine the effects of extensive or semi-intensive feeding on dry matter intake and milk composition in Anatolian water buffalo. Buffaloes were taken into trial in the 1st- 2nd months of their lactation. The buffaloes were divided into 2 groups, an extensive group (A) and a semi-intensive group (B) each group consisting of 12 buffaloes. Compared to the A group, the B group consumed more total dry matter (P<0.05; 13.17 vs. 11.12 kg day-1) and produced more milk day-1 (P<0.05; 7.34 vs 4.42 kg day-1). In the milk samples which were taken from the group A had higher (P<0.05) milk fat percentage than group B (milk fat=8.03 and 5.80 %, respectively). The somatic cell count (SCC) (44.7 and 60.3 × log10 mL-1), SNF (10.29 and 10.18 %) and protein percentages of milk (4.95 and 4.96 %) were similar for both groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species, Psephellus vanensis A.Duran, Behçet & B.Dogan (Asteraceae) from Anatolia, Turkey, is described and illustrated. The species grows on the serpentine stony field of the village of Çaldıran in the district of Başkale (Van province) in eastern Anatolia. It is morphologically similar to Psephellus pyrrhoblepharus (Boiss.) Wagenitz. Diagnostic characters are discussed, and a key to the most similar species is provided. Ecology, conservation status and notes on biogeography of the species are also presented. In addition, the geographical distribution of the new species and other related species in Turkey is mapped. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmo kottelati sp. n., is described from Alakır Stream (Mediterranean basin) in Turkey. It is distinguished from other Anatolian Salmo species by a combination of the following characters (none unique to the species): general body colour greenish to silvery in life; 7-9 parr marks along lateral line; four dark bands on flank absent in both sexes; black ocellated spots few, present only on upper part of flank in individuals smaller than 160 mm SL but in larger both males and females black spots numerous and located on back and middle and upper part of flank; red spots few to numerous, scattered on median, and half of lower and upper part of flank; head long (length 29-33% SL in males, 26-32 in females); mouth large (length of mouth gape 13-19% SL in males, 12-15 in females); maxilla long (length 10- 13% SL in males, 8-12 in females); 105-113 lateral line scales; 24-29 scale rows between lateral line and dorsal-fin origin, 17-19 scale rows between lateral line and anal-fin origin; 13-15 scales between lateral line and adipose-fin insertion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the troglobitic spider genus Typhlonesticus is described from specimens found in Keloğland Cave (Denizli Province, Dodurgalar Town), Turkey. Typhlonesticus gocmeni sp. n. is described on the basis of both sexes; and its phylogenetic relationships with closely related European genera and species are discussed based on morphological and molecular data (the cox1, rrnL and H3 genes). Three new combinations are proposed: Typhlonesticus idriacus (Roewer, 1931), comb. n., Typhlonesticus morisii (Brignoli, 1975) comb. n. and Typhlonesticus obcaecatus (Simon, 1907), comb. n. all ex Nesticus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urartucoris ermolenkoi P. V. Putshkov, 1979 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Coreidae: Pseudophloeinae) is recorded from Turkey for the first time. Redescriptions of the genus and species are provided, the male of U. ermolenkoi being described for the first time, and intraspecific variability of the species is discussed. Adults of U. ermolenkoi were collected from mid April to end of July and in mid September by means of pitfall traps. First data on the habitat of the species are provided: it is epigeic, inhabiting sparse forests and shrublands at higher elevations (ca. 1400-1600 m a.s.l.) in arid regions of central Anatolia. A revised key to the genera of the West Palaearctic Pseudophloeini is provided. Translations of the original descriptions from Russian are given in Appendix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alburnoides manyasensis, sp. n., is described from the Koca Stream (Lake Manyas drainage, Marmara Sea basin) in Anatolia. It is distinguished from all species of Alburnoides in Turkey and adjacent regions, Alburnoides tzanevi (Rezovska [Rezve], Istranca and Terkos streams in the western Black Sea drainage), Alburnoides cf. smyrnae (Banaz Stream, a drainage of Büyük Menderes River, Aegean Sea basin), Alburnoides fasciatus (streams and rivers in the eastern Black Sea drainage) and Alburnoides eichwaldii (Kura and Aras rivers [a drainage of Kura River], Caspian Sea basin) by a combination of the following characters (none unique to the species): marked hump at nape, especially in specimens larger than 60 mm SL; partly developed ventral keel between pelvic fin and anal fin, scaleless 1/2 to 2/3 its length; body depth at dorsalfin origin 29-32% SL; caudal peduncle depth 11-12% SL; 45-52+ 2-3 lateral-line scales; 9-12 scale rows between lateral line and dorsalfin origin; 4-5 scale rows between lateral line and anal-fin origin, 10½-12½ branched anal-fin rays; 40-42 total vertebrae [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The taxa of the Polymixis serpentina (Treitschke, 1825) species-group are revised. The external and genital features of all known taxa and a new species, P. ivanchiki sp. n. (Lebanon, Israel, Turkey and Iran) are described and illustrated. P. serpentina iatnana Hacker, 1996, is treated here as a species distinct from P. serpentina (stat. n.). A diagnostic comparison of the members of the species-group is provided; descriptions of the genitalia of Polymixis serpentina minoica Fibiger, 1992 and P. iatnana are given for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The karyotype, C-banding, and nucleoar organizer regions (NORs) of eight specimens of Konya wild sheep from Turkey were examined. The complement included six large metacentric autosomes, 46 acro- centric autosomes of decreasing size, a medium-sized acrocentric X chromosome, and a small bi-armed Y chromosome (the diploid chromosome number 2n=54, the number of autosomal arms NFa=58, the number of chromosome arms NF=61). G-banding allowed reliable identification of all the chromosome pairs and the pairing of homologous elements. All the autosomes possessed distinct centromeric or pericentromeric C-positive bands. The X chromosome had a pericentromeric C-positive band, and the Y chromosome was entirely C-heterochromatic. The NORs were located in the terminal regions of the long arms of three metacentric and two acrocentric autosomes. The karyotype of the Konya wild sheep and its banding patterns are quite similar to chromosome complement reported in domestic sheep and European mouflon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species, Hygrocrates deelemanus Kunt & Yağmur sp. n., is described on the basis of both sexes from the Mediterranean region of Turkey. Detailed morphological descriptions, diagnosis and figures of the copulatory organs of both Turkish species are presented. An identification key is presented for all the currently known species of Hygrocrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Male and female of Odaginiceps korykosensis sp. n. (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Tetragonicipitidae), collected in the intertidal zone of Kizkalesi beach along the Mediterranean coast of Turkey (Mersin Province), are described. Th e new species is the fi fth member of the genus and can easily be distinguished from the other species by the presence of four setae/spines on the second endopodal segment of P4 and by the structure of the caudal rami. Previously, representatives of the genus Odaginiceps have been reported from Gulf of Mexico, off Bermuda and Kenya. O. korykosensis sp. n. is the first record of the genus in the Mediterranean Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species Hersiliola turcica sp. n. is described on the basis of both sexes from Southeast Turkey. Males of the new species have an extraordinarily long embolus and females have very long insemination ducts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]