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In this study invertebrate infestation in green turtle (Chelonia mydas) nests were recorded for the first time for Kazanlý beach, Mersin, Turkey. For this aim, in 2006 nesting season, 294 natural intact green turtle nests were sampled to examine their contents and invertebrate infestation was found in 76 (25.85% of the total sampling green turtle nests). These infested nests were examined in terms of the invertebrate faunal composition. The specimens found in the green sea turtle nests were identified to order, family or genus levels and they were represented in 5 orders. These invertebrate groups are Elater sp. larvae (Elateridae; Coleoptera), Pimelia sp. larvae (Tenebri-onidae; Coleoptera), Enchytraeidae (Oligochaeta), Cyrptostigmata (Acari), Oniscidae (Isopoda), Formicidae (Hy-menoptera). Elater sp. was the most common invertebrate group in the green turtle nests. According to student t test, we found statistically significant differences between 7 independent variables and invertebrate species pres-ence. Furthermore, logistic regression analysis explained that there is a negative relationship between hatching success rate and invertebrate species presence. © 2020 Folium Publishing Company.

To determine blood biochemistry and reassess and compare red blood cell morphology based on individuals' gender, age and SVL (Snout-Vent Length), we studied 30 blood samples of Bufotes variabilis (15 males, 15 females) from Omaz Valley, Denizli/Turkey. For age determination, bone samples were threated according to the skeletochronology procedure and a strong positive correlation between SVL and age structure (Pearson's, n = 30, r(2) = 0.937, p < 0.001) was detected. Like all anurans, the shapes of the erythrocytes and their nuclei were ellipsoidal while their dimensions were bigger than expected when compared with those in the previous studies. Statistical evaluations of the red blood cells were made according to individuals' gender, age and SVL and no significant differences were found amongst them. This is the first study about the blood biochemistry of B. variabilis which includes pH, blood gas, oximetry, electrolyte (potassium, sodium, calcium, chloride and bicarbonate ion concentrations) and metabolite ED-glucose and L(+)-lactate concentration] values. Biochemical data were statistically analysed according to gender, age and SVL to evaluate whether there are any relationships or differences between the studied individuals. Statistical analyses of the biochemical assessments showed that cCa values of females were significantly high (t-test: t = 2.30, df = 20, p < 0.05), possibly due to the spawning period. The mean value of the individuals' age was 7.77 +/- 1.33 years with the mean SVL of 80.4 +/- 1.2 mm. Pearson's correlations of the biochemical data indicated a very significant relationship between cCl ion concentration and SVL as well as age. However, highly significant positive correlations were found between SO2 - pO(2), FO(2)Hb - pO(2), FO(2)Hb - sO(2), FHHb - pCO(2), cNa - pH, cNa - cK, cCa - cK, cCa - cNa, cHO(3) - pCO(2) and cLac - cGlu values while pO(2) - pCO(2), SO2 - pCO(2), FHHb - pO(2), FHHb - sO(2), FHHb - FO(2)Hb, cK - pCO(2) values showed a very significant negative correlation. These are the first biochemical data and evaluations about B. variabilis blood. In addition, according to the data obtained in our study, it is possible to say that age can be used as a substitute of SVL when it is not possible to procure the exact measurements of an individual for assessment. C1 [Ulubeli, Sevay Ayse; Baskale, Eyup; Kaska, Yakup] Pamukkale Univ, Dept Biol, Denizli, Turkey.

The aim of this study was to catalog the species of amphibians and reptiles in Honaz District, in the province of Denizli, Turkey, based on field surveys carried out during March-October of 2015-2018. The species found include five amphibians (Bufo bufo, Bufotes variabilis, Pelophylax bedriagae, Hyla orientalis, Rana macrocnemis) and 22 reptiles: two turtles (Mauremys rivulata, Testudo graeca), nine lizards (Stellagama stellio, Mediodactylus kotschyi, Anatololacerta danfordi, Lacerta trilineata, Ophisops elegans, Ablepharus kitaibellii, Pseudopodus apodus, Blanus strauchi, Heremites auratus), and 11 snakes (Xerotyphlops vermicularis, Dolichophis jugularis, D. caspius, Hemorrhois numnifer, Eirenis modestus, Telescopus fallax, Elaphe sauromates, Natrix natrix, N. tessellata, Eryx jaculus, Montivipera xanthina). In addition, the various factors threatening these species in this area were determined and proposals for the conservation of these species are presented. © 2020 Gidis and Baskale.

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This study provides the external features of Pelophylax caralitanus (ARIKAN, 1988), sampled in five localities in Turkey, estimates its population sizes and presents new distribution sites extending the known range. Pelophylax caralitanus exhibit sexual size dimorphism, females become larger than males. In contrast, morphometric characters and coloration patterns do not differ significantly among sexes or localities/populations. The known distributional range of P. caralitanus was extended to the province of Burdur, where two new populations were detected. The sizes of these populations, estimated using the Capture-Marking-Recapture (CMR) method, were 5,046 individuals in Lake Golcuk, 1,198 individuals in the Beysehir-Kusluca habitat, and 1,211 individuals in a pond at Derebucak. This species was found in natural lakes and ponds but also artificial irrigation channels, pools and ponds. All these habitats were covered with aquatic vegetation.

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Fethiye beaches are the one of the most important sea turtle nesting beaches from Turkey. The reproductive biology of nesting loggerhead turtles was investigated there during three consecutive nesting seasons (2011-2013). A total of 253 nests were recorded in three seasons, and these nests included an average 80.4 eggs per nests. The incubation periods have decreased considerably over the last decade, potentially pointing to a climate change effect. The nest density was 7.2 nests/km in 2011, 10.7 nests/km in 2012 and 12.6 nests/km in 2013. Despite this 3-year increase, the overall number of nests over the last two decades shows a gradual decline, although the pattern differs from beach to beach. It was determined that the habitat loss and tourism activities are the main problems and are effect breeding activities of the species. In this respect, site-specific conservation actions were started at the Fethiye beaches. ©Biharean Biologist, 2016.