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The study presents data on the food composition of the Unisexual Lizard, Darevskia unisexualis (Darevsky, 1966), from Hanak, Ardahan, Turkey. A total of 172 preys were determined in the digestive systems of 44 individuals examined in the study. Insecta, Aranea, Malacostraca, and Gastropoda constitute food composition of lizards. Major prey groups in the food composition are included in Hymenoptera (46.5%), Coleoptera (13.4%), Diptera (8.1%), Lepidoptera (7.6%), Orthoptera (7%) and Hemiptera (7%) in number, whereas Hymenoptera (70%), Lepidoptera (25%), Coleoptera (23%), and Diptera (20%) in frequency. Our result confirm that the Unisexual Lizard is an insectivorous and active predator and generally feed with poor flying or non-flying invertebrates.

The cedar of Lebanon, Cedrus libani A. Rich, is distributed around the shores of the eastern Mediterranean in Turkey, Syria and Lebanon. The most anamolous aspect of its distribution is its presence in two patches in the Black Sea Region, approximately 500 km to the north of its main distribution in Turkey. Cuneiform tablets speak of an area which was turned into a land of cedar during the Hittite era, suggesting that the two patches might have been planted at that time. Genetic studies agree that these two patches originated at a later date than the cedars further south. Here, we make use of another means to test the hypothesis that the northernmost distribution of the cedar of Lebanon was due to reforestation during the mid-Holocene period. We determine distributional patterns for the species using a maximum-entropy algorithm and identify the most important environmental factors in shaping its distribution. We project the distribution of the species under the climatic conditions of the present, the mid-Holocene and the Last Glacial Maximum. We find the distribution range of the cedar of Lebanon to have shifted over time, encompassing western and southern Anatolia in the Last Glacial Maximum, then shrinking and retracting to the western Anatolia range in the mid-Holocene. The current range of the species was arrived at after the Holocene period. The projections support the possibility that the remnant forests in northern Turkey could have been created through reforestation, and that the Hittite myth may be substantiated.

Seasonal and ontogenic variation of food composition in Anatolian water frogs (Pelophylax ridibundus group) were analysed in the Seyhan and Ceyhan Deltas, southern Turkey. A total of 1,226 prey items were retrieved from the stomachs of 335 individuals (75 juveniles, 148 males, 112 females) in spring, summer and autumn. The frogs fed mainly upon invertebrates, especially insects (80.4%), and the prey spectrum was strongly influenced by prey availability in the environment. The most frequently consumed prey items were Hemiptera (31.6%), Coleoptera (29.0%), Hymenoptera (23.6%), and Diptera (21.5%). While adult frogs consume various invertebrate preys such as annelids, gastropods, arachnids, and insects, the diet of juveniles is mostly confined insects. No significant differences were found in the seasonal variation of prey types between sexes. Prey diversity and volume increased in spring and summer, and decreased in autumn with the decrease of the air temperature and reduced activity of the frogs., TUBITAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey) [112T913]; EBILTEM (Ege University Science and Technology Centre) [2013/BIL/013], This study was financially supported by TUBITAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey, Project number: 112T913) and EBILTEM (Ege University Science and Technology Centre, Project number: 2013/BIL/013).

The Arabian Sand Gazelle (Gazella marica Thomas, 1897) is endemic to the Middle East and its populations in South-eastern Anatolia in Turkey are in danger of extinction. Here, we focus on its protected habitats in the Mesopotamian steppes and examine how to create connectivity between habitats under changing climate conditions. We use ecological niche modelling for four time periods, as simulated in five General Circulation Models (GCMs), to assess the distributional shifts of G. marica over the decades and predict its future ecological connection effectivity based on a least-cost model. We suggest establishing three potential corridors between core protected areas. The findings indicate that there will be a southward and westward shift in the distribution of the species due to future climate change. Overall, the results of the GCMs suggest that climate change will trigger habitat loss for G. marica. Unless conservation measures take the forecasted changes in habitat into consideration, the extinction of this species will be unavoidable., Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) [GCP/TUR/061/GFF]; General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks, General Directorate of Plant Production and General Directorate of Forestry of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Turkey, This study was prepared in the context of the Surveys and Assessments on Biodiversity, SocioEconomic and Socio-Cultural Aspects, Ongoing Grazing Activities and Livestock Situation carried out in 2019 within the scope of the Conservation and Sustainable Management of Turkey's Steppe Ecosystems (GCP/TUR/061/GFF) project being executed by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in close cooperation with the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks, General Directorate of Plant Production and General Directorate of Forestry of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Turkey.

We evaluated the current status and main threats to the Caucasus viper (Vipera kaznakovi Nikolsky 1909), from the East Black Sea Region, Turkey, via 21 days of intensive fieldwork and interviews with locals. We found that habitat loss and destruction, illegal collection, and intentional or accidental killings are the main threats to V. kaznakovi in the region. We prepared a 5-year Action Plan for the Turkish General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks and outline a strategy for promoting the sustainability of the species with participation of regional administrations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and locals. The major conservation measures include: (1) creating protected areas in regions with high viper densities (2) preventing and controlling illegal collection, (3) raising awareness among locals to reduce the intentional and accidental killing of vipers. Copyright: © 2022 by the authors., Acknowledgements: The data obtained in this study were reached within the scope of a project entitled “The species conservation action plan of Hopa viper, Vipera kaznakovi, in Artvin”, funded by the Directorate of Artvin Branch of the 12th Regional Directorate of the Department of Nature Protection and National Parks of the Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs. We would like to thank the establishment concerned and Turunç Peyzaj Ltd.Şti. for the support to the study.

Wetlands are critically important for biodiversity and human wellbeing, but face a range of challenges. This is especially true in the Mediterranean region, where wetlands support endemic and threatened species and remain integral to human societies, but have been severely degraded in recent decades. Here, in order to raise awareness of future challenges and opportunities for Mediterranean wetlands, and to inform proactive research and management, we identified (a) 50 key issues that might affect Mediterranean wetlands between 2020 and 2050, and (b) 50 important research questions that, if answered, would have the greatest impact on the conservation of Mediterranean wetlands between 2020 and 2050. We gathered ideas through an online survey and review of recent literature. A diverse assessment panel prioritised ideas through an iterative, anonymised, Delphi-like process of scoring, voting and discussion. The prioritised issues included some that are already well known but likely to have a large impact on Mediterranean wetlands in the next 30 years (e.g. the accumulation of dams and reservoirs, plastic pollution and weak governance), and some that are currently overlooked in the context of Mediterranean wetlands (e.g. increasing desalination capacity and development of antimicrobial resistance). Questions largely focused on how best to carry out conservation interventions, or understanding the impacts of threats to inform conservation decision-making. This analysis will support research, policy and practice related to environmental conservation and sustainable development in the Mediterranean, and provides a model for similar analyses elsewhere in the world., Arcadia, WJS is funded by Arcadia.

Eiselt's pond turtle (Emys orbicularis eiselti) was described in 1998, based on only 4 museum specimens collected in the 1960s and 1970s. Its distribution range has been massively reduced by large-scale drainage measures and only little suitable habitat remains near the Turkish-Syrian border. During 20-yr-long fieldwork we could locate only 18 individuals of this subspecies. We estimate the number of surviving Eiselt's pond turtles to be less than 100 mature individuals in the wild. The distribution range (area of occupancy) in the Amik Maras Rift Valley shrank from originally 11,612 km(2) to only 206 km(2) at present (approx. 2%), qualifying E. o. eiselti as a Critically Endangered taxon. Without immediate conservation measures and the strict protection of the remaining habitat, the subspecies will soon be extinct., Chelonian Research Institute; Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey TUBITAK [103T189, 110T927]; Ege University Coordination Office for Scientific Research Projects [2000/FEN/039], The authors thank Peter Pritchard, who enabled financial support from the Chelonian Research Institute for fieldwork in 1999. The authors also thank the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey TUBITAK (project no. 103T189, 110T927) and the Ege University Coordination Office for Scientific Research Projects (2000/FEN/039) for financial support within different projects related to the search for turtles. Fieldwork and sampling were permitted by the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks (permit no. 2010/6732). All animal handling was in accordance with accepted wildlife husbandry standards as approved by Decision #2010/13 of the Laboratory Animals Ethical Committee at Ege University, Turkey.

The Spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with small and fragmented populations located around the Mediterranean basin. In Turkey, this species has remained poorly studied which hampers solid assessment of threats and conservation measures. We studied the spatial distribution, habitat use, and demography of the species in the Gediz Delta (Aegean coast of Turkey) between 2015 and 2017 with a specific capture-mark-recapture survey made in the Sazligol marshes. A total of 114 individuals (20 juveniles, 62 males and 32 females) were captured and released in that period. Carapace length of adult females was on average higher (205.2 +/- 3.2 mm) than in adult males (190.9 +/- 2.3 mm). Sex ratio was biased with 1.94 males per female. Based on the capture-recapture histories of 65 individuals (3 juveniles, 37 males and 25 females) marked in 2015, we estimated the population size of the Sazligol marsh population to be 137 +/- 23 individuals, which corresponds to a density of 5.7 individuals per ha. The main threats detected were agricultural activities, urbanisation and captures for the pet trade., Doga Dernegi; Tour du Valat, Ege University Scientific Research Fund (Ege Universitesi Bilimsel Arastirmalar Fonu) [2017/FEN/041]; PACA Regional Council; MAVA Foundation, This study is part of a project supported by Doga Dernegi and the Tour du Valat, Ege University Scientific Research Fund (Ege Universitesi Bilimsel Arastirmalar Fonu) [Grant No: 2017/FEN/041]. Legal authorization for the study was provided by the Turkish National Parks Authority (Research permit No: 72784983-488.04-41632) and ethical permission was provided from Ege University. We are grateful to these organizations, the PACA Regional Council and the MAVA Foundation for their generous financial support.

In this study, 702 specimens belonging to the genus Medon Sephens were examined. The material was obtained from various field trips between 2010-2019 by using aspirator, sifter, pitfall trap, berlese funnel and MSS trap methods. As a result of the study, 15 of the 22 known species from Turkey were identified. Medon brunneus (Erichson, 1839), M. ferrugineus (Erichson, 1840), M. lanugo Assing, 2004 and M. subfusculus Fagel, 1969 from the Aegean Region, M. semiobscurus (Fauvel, 1875), M. abantensis Bordoni, 1980 and M. lamellatus Assing, 2004 from the Central Anatolian Region are reported for the first time. Besides, M. rufiventris (Nordmann, 1837) is recorded for the first time from both the Aegean and Central Anatolian Regions. In addition, many new locality records of the recorded species were presented. The distributions of all Medon species in Turkey were mapped., Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey, TUBITAK [112T907, 215Z080], This study is partly prepared from a Doctorate Thesis approved by the Institute of Natural Sciences of Ege University on October 2019. This study was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey, TUBITAK (Project no: 112T907 and 215Z080). We are grateful to Dr. Ersen Aydin Yagmur (Manisa), Serkan Yaman (Manisa) and Doruk Koksal (Aydin) for their help in our field trips, In addition to, Kadir Bogac Kunt (Bursa) and Mehmet Emin Bulut (Balikesir) for their gift to staphylinid specimens collected during their field trips.

Borçka-Karagöl Tabiat Parkı ve çevresinde yayılış gösteren kurbağa türleri ve dağılışları, 2003-2006 yıllarıile 2015-2017 yıllarında yapılan arazi çalışmalarıyla belirlenmiştir. Karagöl Tabiat Parkı ve çevresinde 5 kuyruksuz[Rana macrocnemis, Pelophylax ridibundus, Hyla orientalis, Pelodytes caucasicus ve Bufo verrucosissimus] veiki kuyruklu kurbağa [Mertensiella caucasica ve Ommatotriton ophryticus] türü olmak üzere toplam yedi amfibitürünün yaşadığı tespit edilmiştir. Karögöl’de, 1465 metre yükseklikte Rana macrocnemis, Pelophylax ridibundus,Hyla orientalis, Pelodytes caucasicus, Bufo verrucosissimus, Mertensiella caucasica ve Ommatotriton ophryticustürlerinin sintopik olarak yaşadığı belirlenmiştir. 1465-1750 m arasında söz konusu türlerden Rana macrocnemis,Pelophylax ridibundus, Hyla orientalis, Pelodytes caucasicus, Bufo verrucosissimus ve Ommatotriton ophryticusbirlikte yaşamaktadır. 1750 – 2200 m arasında ise Rana macrocnemis ve Mertensiella caucasica türleri birlikteyaşamaktadır. Karagöl’de Pelophylax ridibundus baskın tür olarak göze çarpmaktayken, Orman içi ve subalpinbölgede Rana macrocnemis baskın tür olarak gözlenmiştir.

This study presents data on the food composition of the Near Eastern Fire Salamander, Salamandra infraimmaculata, from Bingöl, eastern Turkey. A total of 139 prey items was determined in the food content of 28 individuals (14 juveniles, 7 males, and 7 females). Insecta (N%= 37.4), Gastropoda (27.3%), and Isopoda (25.9%) constitute together 91% of the food items. The most frequent prey groups in the diet are Coleoptera (F%=50.0%), Isopoda (57.1%), and Gastropoda (46.4%). Coleoptera (V%= 34.6%), Gastropoda (28.0%), and Isopoda (23.5%) had the highest prey volumes. No significant difference was found between the sexes in food composition. The species generally feeds upon poorly flying or slow-moving invertebrates, but is opportunistic in taking up more mobile prey species as well. Diptera, Odonata and Hemiptera were found in small numbers only.

We studied the age structure of a population of the Ocellated Skink, Chalcides ocellatus in Mediterranean Turkey using the skeletochronological method. We examined the cross sections of femoral diaphyseal of a total of 106 museum specimens including 53 adult females and 42 adult males. The snout-vent length was significantly correlated with age. The mean age was 6.0 years (3–10 year) for males and 5.8 years for females, but the difference was statistically not significant. Sexual maturity is reached after their third hibernation period. The lifespan was significantly shorter in southwestern Anatolia than in southern Anatolia (mean age 5.43 years vs. 6.50 years for both sexes combined; P

Here we studied the possible cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Anatolian endemic mountain viper, Montivipera bulgardaghica albizona (M.b. albizona) venom on human PC-3 and DU-145 prostate cancer cell lines. M.b. albizona venom induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis of both prostate cancer cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Protein array results revealed that the levels of major components of the mitochondrion-initiated and the extrinsic death receptor-mediated pathways were significantly changed in prostate cancer cells by venom treatment. These data suggest that one or more of the purified components of the M.b. albizona venom may serve as an appropriate therapeutic agent for prostate cancer. Further bioactivity guided studies are required for the identification of bioactive compounds of M.b. albizona venom. © 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

The study presents data on the food composition of the snake-eyed lizard (Ophisops elegans), from Gökçeada (Imbros), Çanakkale, Turkey. A total of 94 preys were determined in thedigestive systems of 20 individuals (10 males, 10 females) examined in the study. Insects (67%)constitute most of its food composition. Major prey groups in the food composition are included inAranea (13%), Lepidoptera (13%), Coleoptera (19%), and Homoptera (20%) in numeric proportion.No significant difference was observed between sexes considering food composition.

A new Ottoman viper subspecies, M. xanthina varoli n. subsp., is described from the higher altitudes of Gundogmus (Antalya). The new subspecies differs from the other M. xanthina populations by pholidosis; higher number of intercanthals and lower number of subcaudalia. Also, the whiteness between windings or spots on dorsum pattern were observed in new subspecies, similar to the southern populations. Furthermore, the spots on the ventrals became denser in the mid-body and forms darker colorization at the end of body of the males and the tail tips are yellowish-orange or light orange on both sexes. © 2020, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecology., The data contained in this study were reached within the scope of a project entitled “The Task of Inventory and Monitoring of the Biological Diversity of the Terrestrial and Inland Water Ecosystems in Antalya Province”, funded by the 6th Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs. We would like to thank the establishment concerned and Turunç Peyzaj Inc. Co. for the support to the study. While deciding the description of new subspecies, we inspired by the results of Stümpel et al. (2016).

We estimated growth parameters of Emys orbicularis and Mauremys rivulata in Mediterranean Turkey with the skeletochronological method, using specimens drowned in fyke nets. In adult E. orbicularis, the median age was 8 years in males and 10 years in females. The median age of adult M. rivulata was 10 years for both sexes. Both species reach sexual maturity at an age of 5–7 years. No difference was found in age composition between the sexes.

This study presents data on age, growth and longevity of a population of Neurergus strauchii in Eastern Anatolia (Bingol, Turkey) based on skeletochronological data. The phalangeal diaphyseal cross-sections of 54 individuals studied (12♂, 42♀) showed that females are on average older than males: the ages ranged from 6 to 14 years, with an average age of 8.8 years in males and 10.9 years in females. Sexual maturity is reached at an age of 4-5 years in both sexes. The slow growth and the longevity make the species vulnerable.

Interactions between the environment and internal regulation drive the biophysiological dynamics of lizards. Although diurnal lizards are usually heliothermic, they can sometimes be active in the absence of sunlight. Here, we report, for the first time, a case of nocturnal behavior (aided by the artificial light) in the spiny-tailed lizard - Darevskia rudis (Bedriaga, 1886) - a species that normally exhibits diurnal activity. © 2018 Centre for Biodiversity of Montenegro.

Here, we report 32 new localities for Neurergus strauchii (Steindacher 1887) from southern and eastern Anatolia, Turkey, based on fieldwork conducted in 2005 - 2017. These results represent range extension to the west, the south, and the northeast and fill the gaps on its distribution. Besides, the species is first time reported from Adıyaman province. We updated the distribution of N. strauchii for future conservation and management studies., Bu çalışma ile; Neurergus strauchii için Doğu ve Güneydoğu Anadolu bölgesinden 32 yeni lokalite tespit edilmiştir. Arazi çalışmaları 2005-2017 yılları arasında gerçekleştirilmiştir. Sonuç olarak; türün dağılış sahasının batı, güney ve güneydoğu istikametinde genişlemiş ve bilinen dağılış alanları arasındaki boşluklar doldurulmuştur. Bununla birlikte tür Adıyaman ilinden ilk kez tespit edilmiştir. Gelecekte yapılacak olan koruma ve yönetim çalışmaları için dağılış alanı güncellenmiştir.

WOS: 000359991700032, In this study, we report 2 new close localities for Eumeces schneideri from Aydin, western Anatolia, Turkey. The specimens were examined morphologically and compared with the relevant literature. These new localities have filled in the gap in the species' distribution range in western Anatolia, Turkey. According to the morphological results, the female specimens resembled E. s. barani in terms of the scales along the dorsal midline. However, the color-pattern characteristics of the specimens were found to be somewhere between E. s. barani and E. s. princeps; thus, the specimens were accepted as E. s. cf. barani.

Amphibian species and their distribution of the Borçka-Karagöl natural park and its environs was determined between 2003-2006 and 2015-2017 by field studies. A total of seven amphibian species were found in the Karagöl Nature Park and its vicinity, including five species of anurans [Rana macrocnemis, Pelophylax ridibundus, Hyla orientalis, Pelodytes caucasicus and Bufo verrucosissimus] and two newts [Mertensiella caucasica and Ommatotriton ophryticus]. It has been determined that species of Rana macrocnemis, Pelophylax ridibundus, Hyla orientalis, Pelodytes caucasicus, Bufo verrucosissimus, Mertensiella caucasica and Ommatotriton ophryticus inhabits at 1465 meters altitude in Karögöl as syntopically. Between 1465-1750 m, Rana macrocnemis, Pelophylax ridibundus, Hyla orientalis, Pelodytes caucasicus, Bufo verrucosissimus and Ommatotriton ophryticus syntopically inhabits and between 1750 and 2200 m, Rana macrocnemis and Mertensiella caucasica species live together. At Karagöl, Pelophylax ridibundus is dominate species while Rana macrocnemis is dominate species in the forest and subalpine region., Borçka-Karagöl Tabiat Parkı ve çevresinde yayılış gösteren kurbağa türleri ve dağılışları, 2003-2006 yılları ile 2015-2017 yıllarında yapılan arazi çalışmalarıyla belirlenmiştir. Karagöl Tabiat Parkı ve çevresinde 5 kuyruksuz [Rana macrocnemis, Pelophylax ridibundus, Hyla orientalis, Pelodytes caucasicus ve Bufo verrucosissimus] ve iki kuyruklu kurbağa [Mertensiella caucasica ve Ommatotriton ophryticus] türü olmak üzere toplam yedi amfibi türünün yaşadığı tespit edilmiştir. Karögöl’de, 1465 metre yükseklikte Rana macrocnemis, Pelophylax ridibundus, Hyla orientalis, Pelodytes caucasicus, Bufo verrucosissimus, Mertensiella caucasica ve Ommatotriton ophryticus türlerinin sintopik olarak yaşadığı belirlenmiştir. 1465-1750 m arasında söz konusu türlerden Rana macrocnemis, Pelophylax ridibundus, Hyla orientalis, Pelodytes caucasicus, Bufo verrucosissimus ve Ommatotriton ophryticus birlikte yaşamaktadır. 1750 – 2200 m arasında ise Rana macrocnemis ve Mertensiella caucasica türleri birlikte yaşamaktadır. Karagöl’de Pelophylax ridibundus baskın tür olarak göze çarpmaktayken, Orman içi ve subalpin bölgede Rana macrocnemis baskın tür olarak gözlenmiştir

In this study, with the aim of evaluating coagulant activities in the venom of M. xanthina, we analyzed venom proteins, digestion patterns of fibrinogen chains with venom and the effects of protease inhibitors on M. xanthina venom proteases using Tricine-sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Venom samples were obtained from four adult specimens of Montivipera xanthina collected in Gümüldür (Izmir, Turkey). SDS-PAGE analysis demonstrated that 17 protein bands in the range of 20–250 kDa were present. The specific digestion patterns of fibrinogen chains revealed that M. xanthina venom possesses fibrinogenolytic enzymes which could be included in coagulation processes during envenomation Fibrinogenolytic activity directed exclusively towards the Aa-chain with a time-dependent activity towards Bb-chains suggests the presence of both metalloproteinases and serine proteases in M. xanthine venom. In the present study, the occurrence and inhibition of fibrinogenolytic activity of M. xanthina venom were clearly observed. For further analysis, the isolation, identification, and characterization of individual venom components will provide insight into their function and biological roles.

The taxonomic situation of Anguis fragilis species is still unclear in Turkey. In order to clarify this situation, we used the DNA sequences of 16S rRNA and cytochrome b genes to analyze the phylogenetic relationship among A. fragilis populations. A total of 13 haplotypes in 16S rRNA dataset and 20 haplotypes in cytochrome b dataset were detected. Kimura 2-parameter genetic distance was found to be 0.012 for 16S rRNA and 0.026 for the cytochrome b dataset. Neighbor joining (NJ) trees were constructed to analyze phylogenetic relationship among specimens and were supported with median joining networks. Results indicate a clear genetic structuring in A. fragilis populations sampled from north of 40° north latitude of Turkey. Both mitochondrial gene sequences successfully detected the intraspecific variation among specimens of different populations. Genetic structuring, correlated with geographic distance, was found to be significant at the specimens sampled from edge populations of peripherally isolated climatic conditions.

We examined the seasonal changes in the food composition of the European pond turtle, Emys orbicularis in Lake Suluklu (Manisa, Turkey) during spring and summer 2010. The stomach contents of 110 (40 ♂♂, 62 ♀♀, eight juveniles) E. orbicularis individuals were analyzed, and 461 prey items were found. Gastropods (2.2%), earthworms (0.4%), insects (67.2%), fishes (6.9%), amphibians (15.0%), and plant material (8.2%) constituted the food of the species. Food consisted primarily of insects and other invertebrates during the breeding season and of vertebrate and plant material (especially seeds and roots) during the post-breeding season. Based on these results, the European pond turtle is a generalist opportunistic omnivore whose diet is most strongly influenced by prey availability.

During our field work in the Tepeler Village (Ardahan, Turkey) on 27th of August, 2010, we observed hatchlings of Darevsika valentini. The mean body length of was found as 28.06±1.14 (25.3 30.4) and the total length as 70.81±3.92 (61.9 81.0). Juveniles were generally observed under stones and those portions of the roots of annual herbaceous plants which remain under stone are also used as shelters for juveniles. Neonates on the southern slopes of the hills could be individually seen and mostly, individuals aggregated [median number of individuals, 6 (115)] and lived in groups.

The study presents data on the food composition of Horváth’s toadheaded agama, Phrynocephalus horvathi, in northern slopes of Mount Ararat (Aralık, Iğdır). A total of 294 prey items were determined in the digestive systems of 36 (8 males, 11 females, and 16 juveniles) individuals examined in the study. Prey groups in the food composition are included in Aranea (1.4%), Orthoptera (1.0%), Hymenoptera (73.5%), Coleoptera (23.1%) and Diptera (1.0%). No significant difference was observed between sexes regarding food composition. Consequently, Phrynocephalus horvathi is partially myrmecophagous (73.5%) and an active predator.

In this study, 15 amphibian and reptile species were recorded from 12 different localities in the Camili Biosphere Reserve, known as the first biosphere site of Turkey. Two of these species are urodelan, four are anuran, four are Lacertilia and five are Ophidia. Two black coloured Natrix specimens collected from biosphere rezerve area are comperedwith literature data belongs to N. megalocephala. Moreover, the population and habitat status of threatened species were investigated, required conservation measures were explained., Bu çalışmada, Türkiye’nin ilk biyosfer rezerv alanı olarak bilinen Camili bölgesinde 12 ayrı lokaliteden amfibi ve reptillere ait 15 tür tespit edilmiştir. Bunlardan ikisi Urodela, dördü Anura, dördü Lacertilia ve beşi Ophidia grubundandır. Bölgeden yakalanan iki siyah renkli Natrix cinsine ait örnek, taksonomik durumu tartışmalı olan Natrix megalocephala’ya ait literatür bilgisi ile karşılaştırılmıştır. Ayrıca, tehdit altında olan türlerin populasyonları ile biyotoplarının durumları incelenerek, korunmaları için alınması gereken önlemler açıklanmıştır.

During a monitoring survey of the amphibians and reptiles in Lake Suluklu¨ (Manisa, Turkey) in the spring of 2010, we found that the smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris) population was composed of partially paedomorphic individuals. During the study, 146 aquatic individuals (56 males, 90 females) were captured and marked. Of these individuals, 27 (seven males, 20 females) were paedomorphic. The population size in Lake Suluklu¨ was calculated as 305 (SE ¼ 20.72, range ¼ 270-351). According to these data, it was calculated that about 18.5% (56 individuals) of the population consisted of paedomorphic individuals.

In a study on the population dynamics of the Uludag Frog, Rana macrocnemis Boulenger, 1885 at Uludag, 4,952 individuals were marked with toeclipping, visible implant elastomer and vi alpha tags between 2006 and 2008. 47.1% of the population consisted of males, 39.0% of females and 13.8% of juveniles, and a male-biased sex ratio was observed. According to the formula of Jolly-Seber, the mean population size was calculated for individual study plots as 1,535 in Kirazliyayla, 1,578 in Sarialan, 1,481 in the Hotels District, 823 in Lake Kilimli, 742 in Lake Kara, 675 in Lake Aynali, 658 in Lake Kogukdere, and 151 in Lake Heybeli. The total population size was estimated at 7,643 individuals (3,113 in forest, 4,530 in the subalpine belt) in 1.30 ha areas (0.14 ha in forest, 1.16 ha in the subalpine belt) in study plots of Uludag ranging between 1,476 to 2,450 m a.s.l. The capture probability ranged from 0.21 to 0.93 and the survival rate ranged from 0.57 to 0.98 among the populations, and the mean popu...

Two new Viper specimens obtained from Zekeriyakoy (Ardanuc, Artvin) in Northeastern Anatolia were investigated. When obtained data were compared with the related literature, it was observed that pholidosis characteristics and body measurements of the retrieved specimens were similar to both Vipera ( Pelias ) olguni and Vipera ( Pelias ) darevskii . The specimens were considered to be V. cf. darevskii since their defining characteristics were more similar to V. darevskii than V. olguni .

WOS: 000346851100013, A record of the Italian wall lizard, Podarcis siculus (Rafinesque-Schmaltz, 1810), from Atakum (Samsun, Central Black Sea Region) is provided in this study. In addition, 5 specimens (3 male male and 2 female female) from Atakum (Samsun) and 14 specimens (7 male male and 7 female female) from Gelibolu (Canakkale, Thrace), with records provided recently, were evaluated in terms of measurements, pholidosis, and color and pattern. With the record from Samsun, the Italian wall lizard's distributional range has been extended about 360 km eastwards. The specimens examined from both localities were determined to resemble P. s. hieroglyphicus (Berthold, 1840), distributed in Thrace and Anatolia. Moreover, some information on the breeding biology of the specimens is provided.

Po prvi puta izvještamo o reprudukciji u udomaćenoj populaciji crvenouhe kornjače (Trachemys scripta elegans) iz južne Anatolije (Anamur, Mersin). Opazili smo ženku koja je izlegla 15 jaja ujutro, 3. lipnja 2012., te ženku koja je kopala gnijezno 16. svibnja 2015. Dana 23. Rujna 2013 opazili smo i dva netom izvaljena mladunca, dužine 26.1 mm i 28.4 mm dužine. Sukladno našim opažanjima, Mediteranska obala Turske ima potencijal da ispunjava potrebe ove vrste. Utjecaj crvenouhe kornjače na nativne populacije kornjača je kompeticija za hranu i mjesta za sunčanje., Here, we report for the first time reproduction in a naturalized population of the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) from Southern Anatolia (Anamur, Mersin). We detected a female laying 15 eggs in the morning of July 03. 2012 and a female digging nest on May 16. 2015. Moreover, two hatchlings 26.1mm and 28.4mm in length were observed on September 03. 2013. According to our observations, the Mediterranean coast of Turkey has the potential to provide the requirements of the species. The described impacts of the red-eared sliders on native turtles are competition for food and basking sites.

In the present study, the peripheral blood cells (erythrocytes, leucocytes and thrombocytes) morphology of Emys orbicularis and Mauremys rivulata were examined in the blood smears prepared using Wright’s stain and the erythrocyte number was conducted as well. In E. orbicularis, the average of erythrocyte length was measured as 20.1µm, width 12.7µm and size 200.8µm2; while in M. rivulata these were measured as 19.3µm, 12.3µm, and 186.7µm2 respectively. The fact that agranulocytes (lymphocytes and monocytes) were dominant cells; nucleus cannot be distinguished in eosinophiles and basophiles due to intensive granulation in cytoplasm; thrombocytes are flat, ellipsoid cells were observed in the blood smears. In 1mm3 blood, the average erythrocyte count in E. orbicularis was 430,666 and 467,500 in M. rivulata, and the erythrocyte count was established to be higher in males.