Search

In the years 2010 and 2014, fifty-four samples of Phoenicolacerta laevis from eight localities in Adana (n=6) and Hatay (n=48) were collected and examined for helminth parasites. New host and locality records were recorded. As a results of present study, three species of Digenea, Sonsinotrema tacapense, Prosthodendrium chilostomum, Brachylaima sp. (metacercaria); two species of Cestoda, Oochoristica tuberculata and Mesocestoides sp. and four species of Nematoda, Skrjabinodon medinae, Spauligodon sp., Thubunaea sp. and a larva of the Ascaridiidae Ascarididae gen. sp. were reported for lizard samples. We document new host records for all of helminth species reported here. Sonsionotrema tacapense (Digenea), and Thubunaea sp. (Nematoda) are recorded for the first time from Turkey. There are, to our knowledge, no reports of helminths for P. laevis in Turkey and also from its range.

In this study, comparison of a life history traits (e.g. body size, age at maturity, longevity) of two populations of Phoenicolacerta laevis from different altitudes is being carried out (Anamur, 22 m a.s.l.; Andırın, 1.083 m a.s.l.) for the first time. We applied phalangeal skeletochronology to obtain the age of juveniles and adults. Age was determined by counting the lines of arrested growth (LAGs) in cross-sections. Males in both populations were the larger of the two sexes and a male biased sexual dimorphism was determined for both populations. Body size (SVL) was similar in both sexes and populations. Age of maturity was calculated to be 3 years of age for males and females in both populations. The average age of males and females was calculated as 6.62 ± 0.37 (Mean±SE) and 6.11 ± 0.26 years in Anamur, and 6.15 ± 0.51 and 5.26 ± 0.24 years in Andırın. There was statistically significant variation between sexes, but no significant difference in populations was found in relation to age. For both populations, a significant positive correlation was found between age and SVL in males and females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the years 2010 and 2014, fifty-four samples of Phoenicolacerta laevis from eight localities in Adana (n=6) and Hatay (n=48) were collected and examined for helminth parasites. New host and locality records were recorded. As a results of present study, three species of Digenea, Sonsinotrema tacapense, Prosthodendrium chilostomum, Brachylaima sp. (metacercaria); two species of Cestoda, Oochoristica tuberculata and Mesocestoides sp. and four species of Nematoda, Skrjabinodon medinae, Spauligodon sp., Thubunaea sp. and a larva of the Ascaridiidae Ascarididae gen. sp. were reported for lizard samples. We document new host records for all of helminth species reported here. Sonsionotrema tacapense (Digenea), and Thubunaea sp. (Nematoda) are recorded for the first time from Turkey. There are, to our knowledge, no reports of helminths for P. laevis in Turkey and also from its range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During fieldwork in western Anatolia 4 specimens (1 adult male, 2 subadult males, and 1 subadult female) of Phoenicolacerta laevis from Dalaman, Muğla Province, were collected in November 2014. The results including meristic pholidolial characteristics, metric measurements, and color-pattern features of specimens are compared with the data given in the previous literature. The occurrence of P. laevis in southern and western Anatolia is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reproduction cycle of male Kulzer's Rock Lizard, Phoenicolacerta kulzeri, was studied in a mountain population living at 2000 m a.s.l. on Mount Sannine, Lebanon. Males showed active spermiogenesis in spring, following the renewal of the post hibernation activity, and in autumn, from September until they enter into hibernation in November. About 40% of males exhibited a short testicular regression period during the hottest months, in July and August. Relative testicular volume was correlated with male body size and varied seasonally. Males of P. kulzeri showed a more distinct reproductive pattern than the common reproductive pattern of most lacertid lizards in the Mediterranean region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new locality record for the Hatay Lizard Phoenicolacerta laevis from Özdere (Menderes, İzmir) is presented based on our fieldwork in coastal Aegean Sea Region in July 2013. Our record is north westernmost locality and represents a considerable range extension for both species and genus, around 165 km air distances to the northwest from nearest known locality (Marmaris, Muğla). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]