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Abnormal coloration shaped as small patches on a body or fins/tail flukes of cetaceans is relatively rare, although such cases have been recorded in multiple species. Several reports of anomalously colored dolphins and porpoises have been documented in the coastal waters of the Black Sea, with uneven distribution across the basin. Recently, during photoidentification (photo-ID) surveys conducted between 2022 and 2023, atypically pigmented bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) individuals with white patches on their dorsal fins and bodies were spotted in Turkish territorial waters near Zonguldak Province. The analysis of photographs from these sightings offers a simple approach to detect and characterize different types of skin coloration of cetaceans inhabiting the south-western waters of the Black Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Striped Hyaena, Hyaena hyaena, extends its distribution in the north into Turkey, where it has always been rare. In a status assessment conducted by Kasparek et al. in 2004, it was shown that the species is at the brink of extinction. We compiled information from different sources including a press survey and camera trapping in different parts of the country. The situation has even deteriorated since then. The population has strongly decreased, in particular, in the Marmara and Mediterranean regions, and presently the species survives in Western Anatolia only in some small relict populations in Manisa, İzmir, Muğla, and Bilecik provinces. The situation is different in southeastern Turkey, including the province of Hatay. The species could survive there and regular reports in the press (e.g., road kills) indicate that the species is still widespread and not extremely rare. Several animals were confirmed to live in a nature reserve established for the protection of Striped Hyaenas in the Hatay province. Altogether, the present-day distribution range of the Striped Hyaena in Turkey is split into two parts: a highly threatened relict populations in the west and a larger, slightly less threatened population in the southeast. This means that the species has lost about half of its distribution area in Turkey during the last three or four decades. If serious protective precaution measures are not taken, the Striped Hyaena population in western Anatolia will be completely lost in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Camera trapping is one of the most effective methods for mammal inventories in most habitats and conditions. This study is based on the mammal records of a camera trap study in Northwest Anatolia. The study area was about 3500 km2, and the study was carried out between May 2014 and May 2015. A total of 62 sites were surveyed, resulting in 3653 records of 16 mammal species (Sciurus anomalus, Erinaceus concolor, Felis silvestris, Canis lupus, Canis aureus, Vulpes vulpes, Ursus arctos, Meles meles, Martes foina, Martes martes, Mustela nivalis, Lutra lutra, Sus scrofa, Capreolus capreolus, Lepus europaeus, Cervus elaphus) in 11,868 camera trapping days. The highest detection rate among the species was that of Sus scrofa (36.57%), followed by Martes spp. (20.35%) and Canis aureus (19.44%). Overall trap success for all species detected was 30.78% (recorded number/100 camera trapping days). It was detected that mammal species diversity was higher in natural forested lands than in human-affected areas. Species diversity in the study area was recorded to be significantly higher than the results of other studies from different parts of Turkey. We present here a detailed inventory, distribution data, and contemporary diversity data for the study area, and comparative data for further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acomys cilicicus is endemic to Turkey and known from a very restricted area. The exact distribution of the species was not known up to now and the IUCN status of the species was Data Deficient (DD). To determine the exact distribution area of the species, 39 localities within the historical distribution were surveyed by using 3243 Sherman traps between 2013 and 2016. Turkish spiny mouse samples were obtained from 14 of these 39 localities and the current distribution of the species was determined. We found that the Turkish spiny mouse has two isolated populations in the area between Silifke and Erdemli with a total distribution area of about 104.5 km2, extending from sea level up to 510 m a.s.l. Population trend estimates showed a steep decline in the last 20 years from 21.42 to 2.75 as trap night index value. These data, along with the decline in habitat quality and continuing threats to the species, merit an IUCN status of Critically Endangered (CR). The main threats for this species are habitat loss due to urbanization, new motorway construction, stone quarry development, conversion of Mediterranean shrublands into agricultural fields, and afforestation. For conservation purposes, a species protection action plan is necessary immediately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are twelve Microtus species in Turkey and two of them are endemic to the steppic central Anatolian plateau. In this study, previously collected specimens that were recorded as Microtus irani from southeastern Turkey were reevaluated by karyologically comparing different species distributed throughout southeastern Turkey. The taxonomic status of this species was raised to a new species, Microtus elbeyli sp. nov., which has dark ochreous dorsal color, agrestis morphotype in M2, and 2n = 46, NF = 50, NFa = 46 karyotype. The new species described here raises the total number of Microtus species in Turkey to 13 and endemic vole species in Anatolia to three. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We performed this study on the subterranean mole rat Nannospalax xanthodon (Nehring, 1898) in western Turkey and we analyzed karyotypes of 121 specimens from 54 localities. We determined that N. xanthodon has 2n = 36, NF = 70; 2n = 38, NF = 74; 2n = 40, NF = 72; 2n = 50, NF = 70; 2n = 50, NF = 74; 2n = 52, NF = 70; 2n = 56, NF = 72; and 6 different cytotypes of 2n = 60, NF = 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84 in the specimens analyzed from western Turkey. We filled most of the karyological gaps in western Anatolia and documented distributional areas of cytotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used 33 blind mole rats belonging to 10 different chromosomal races from 10 localities in western Turkey. We applied G-and C-banding techniques to compare chromosomal races as well as clarifying relationships between them. We discussed cytogenetic similarities and differences between chromosomal races. We concluded that 2n = 60C is the ancestor of the other chromosomal races. However, as a result of ongoing evolution processes 2n = 38 and 2n = 60K have become ancestors to chromosomal races on their peripherals. We discovered which rearrangements contribute to the evolution of such a complex chromosomal race system in a genus. With this study we provide a comprehensive comparison of the 10 chromosomal races and perform a cladistic analysis using chromosomal rearrangement character states. According to our tree, chromosomal races with a low diploid number formed a monophyletic group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Zoology is the property of Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The karyotypes and morphology of 98 specimens of the subterranean mole rat Spalax leucodonNordmann, 1840 across 18 localities in and around Kastamonu province were analysed. It was determined that S. leucodonhas 2n = 54, NF = 72; 2n = 56, NF = 74; 2n = 58, NF = 74; 2n =60, NF = 74 in the populations from the Kastamonu region. According to these karyological findings based on chromosome morphology the diploid chromosome numbers of 2n = 56, 2n =58, and 2n = 60 determined here are new for Spalax leucodonin Turkey. Because diploid numbers of these populations were formerly found from geographically distant localities in Turkey, they were given as 2n = 56N, 58N, and 60N, to differentiate them from the other forms having the same diploid chromosome numbers but different chromosome morphology. As a result of t-test analysis, separation of all chromosomal forms from each other beside 2n values by many character measurements supported the opinion that each of the chromosomal forms of Spalaxshould be evaluated as good biological species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Zoology is the property of Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)