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Zoology in the Middle East Volume 34, 2005
ISSN 0939-7140 Covered in the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE). Admitted to ISI Master Journal list and covered by the BioSciences Information Service (Biosis Previews) and Biological Abstracts, the Zoological Record and many other review organs. Price per article: Euro 10.00 (plus Euro 2.00 postage/handling) |
Christian Dietz, Isabel Schunger, Ozgur Kesapli Didrickson, Ahmet Karatas, Frieder Mayer
First record of Pipistrellus pygmaeus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in Anatolia
Abstract. According to morphological characters and mitochondrial DNA sequences, eight very small bats of the Pipistrellus pipistrellus complex captured at the Kuş Cenneti National Park in the Marmara Region of Turkey could be assigned to the recently discovered species Pipistrellus pygmaeus. This finding represents the first record of Pipistrellus pygmaeus in Anatolia and the second in Turkey. The species may be distributed much further along the Aegean coast of Anatolia.
Key words. Distribution, Pipistrellus pygmaeus, bats, Chiroptera, Anatolia, Turkey.
Zoology in the Middle East 34, 2005: 5-10
Sherif M. Baha El Din
An overview of Egyptian species of Hemidactylus (Gekkonidae), with the description of a new species from the high mountains of South Sinai
Abstract. Five species of the genus Hemidactylus have been recognised in Egypt to date: H. flaviviridis, H. foudaii, H. robustus, H. sinaitus, and H. turcicus. The status of these species is reviewed and a new species of the genus is described from the high mountains of South Sinai. The new species differs most noticeably from other Hemidactylus in Egypt (except H. persicus) and the Middle East in having a distinctly depressed head; significantly higher number of labials and ventrals across mid abdomen; and in possessing a contrasting black and white tail pattern in adults. H. persicus differs from the new species in having a significantly higher number of labials and subdigital lamellae; having notably broader digital pads; reaching much larger sizes; and lacking the contrasting tail pattern in adults.
Key words. Gekkonidae, Hemidactylus, new species, Egypt, Sinai.
Zoology in the Middle East 34, 2005: 11-26
David Jandzik
Record of a black-coloured Natrix in northeastern Turkey, with comments on the validity of the Bigheaded Grass Snake, Natrix megalocephala Orlov & Tunijev, 1987
Abstract. A specimen of Natrix megalocephala was found near Hopa in northeastern Turkey. The morphological characters are compared with other specimens of N. megalocephala and N. natrix scutata from Russia and Turkey and are discussed together with the diagnostic data from the original description of the species. The morphologically intermediate character of the investigated specimens confirms the previously published doubts about the validity of the weakly diagnosed taxon N. megalocephala.
Key words. Reptilia, Colubridae, Natrix megalocephala, Natrix natrix, Turkey, distribution, taxonomy.
Zoology in the Middle East 34, 2005: 27-34
Ali Mukhaysin Attaala, Bazar Salem Rubaia
First record of the eel Anguilla bengalensis from Arabia with notes on freshwater fishes from Hadhramout, Yemen
Abstract. The relatively rich freshwater fauna of Wadi Hajr in southeastern Yemen is studied, and details on the diagnostic characteristics of two newly recorded eel species, Anguilla bengalensis and A. bicolor, are given. A. bengalensis is the first record for the Arabian Peninsula; specimens collected apparently belong to the subspecies labiata. Information is also given on four other freshwater fishes new to Yemen or to Wadi Hajr: Garra tibanica, Barbus exulatus, and Awaous aeneofuscus as autochthonous occurrences, and Oreochromis mossambicus as an introduced species.
Key words. Indian Ocean, Wadi Hajr, freshwater fishes, Anguilla bicolor, freshwater eels, morphology.
Zoology in the Middle East 34, 2005: 35-44
Maroof A. Khalaf
Five additional records of fishes in the Gulf of Aqaba, including Mola mola (Forskl, 1775), new for the Red Sea
Abstract. Five species are reported for the first time in the Gulf of Aqaba: Chanos chanos (family Chanidae), Novaculichthys macrolepidotus (family Labridae), Grammatorcynus bilineatus (Family Scombridae), and Arothron immaculatus (family Tetraodontidae) were already known to occur in the Red Sea, but the pelagic, oceanodromous species Mola mola (family Molidae) is reported for the first time from the Red Sea. For each of the records a set of diagnostic characters is given, based on specimens from Aqaba.
Key words. Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea, Jordan, Mola mola, new records.
Zoology in the Middle East 34, 2005: 45-52
Michel Bariche, Jean-Paul Trilles
Preliminary check-list of Cymothoids (Crustacea: Isopoda) parasitic on marine fishes from Lebanon
Abstract. This article provides the first annotated list of the cymothoid fauna (Crustacea: Isopoda) from Lebanon. Three genera (Anilocra, Nerocila and Ceratothoa) are represented by seven species. The specimens correspond to: (1) species already known and reported from different parts of the Mediterranean Sea (Anilocra physodes, Nerocila bivittata, Ceratothoa italica, C. oestroides, C. oxyrrhynchaena), especially from the western basin; (2) two specimens belonging to a new species or a Mediterranean form of Ceratothoa collaris, a common species along the North-Western coasts of Africa; and finally (3) other specimens suggesting the presence of a new species belonging to the genus Nerocila.
Key words. Cymothoidae, parasitic isopods, parasites, fishes, Lebanon, Mediterranean Sea.
Zoology in the Middle East 34, 2005: 53-60.
Rahim Ghayourfar
Three new species of termite from Iran (Isoptera, Termitidae)
Abstract. During a study of the Iranian termite fauna, specimens of the genera Microcerotermes Silvestri and Amitermes Silvestri were collected from different parts of Iran. Morphological studies revealed three new species: Microcerotermes dashlibronensis n. sp., M. saravanensis n. sp., and Amitermes yasujensis n. sp. which were found in Dashlibron (Golestan province), Saravan (Sistan & Baluchestan province) and Yasuj (Kohkiluyeh & Boyerahmad provinces). The new species are described and illustrated.
Key words. Termite, new species, Termitidae, Amitermes, Microcerotermes, Iran, Middle East.
Zoology in the Middle East 34, 2005: 61-66
Siavosh Tirgari, Omid Paknia
First record of the ponerine ant Pachycondyla sennaarensis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Iran, with notes on its ecology
Abstract. The mainly African stinging ant Pachycondyla sennaarensis is reported from Fars province in southern Iran, which represents the northern limit of its distribution. It occurs mostly in rural and urban habitats where the humidity reaches up to the soil surface, such as in parks. It preys on small arthropods using its sting.
Key words. Ant, stinging, Pachycondyla, Iran, Middle East.
Zoology in the Middle East 34, 2005: 67-70
Csaba Csuzdi, Tom Pavlicek
The earthworms (Oligochaeta) of Jordan
Abstract. A new subspecies, Dendrobaena orientalis karak ssp. nov., is described, and four other earthworm species (Eisenia fetida (Savigny, 1826), Octodrilus transpadanus (Rosa, 1884) Microscolex dubius (Fletcher, 1887) and Ocnerodrilus occidentalis Eisen, 1878 (families Lumbricidae, Acanthodrilidae, Ocnerodrilidae respectively)) are recorded as new for the fauna of Jordan. O. transpadanus also represents a new record for the Levantine zoogeographic province. In addition, new data on the distribution of other earthworm taxa in Jordan are presented. The earthworm fauna of Jordan comprises altogether 13 species, of which 7 are thought to be introduced.
Key words. Oligochaeta, earthworms, distribution, Jordan, Levant, Middle East.
Zoology in the Middle East 34, 2005: 71-78
Valerio Vignoli
Description of a new species of Compsobuthus Vachon, 1949 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from southern Iran
Abstract. A new species of Compsobuthus Vachon, 1949 is described; the specimen was collected near Persepolis in Fars Province, south-western Iran. Compsobuthus petriolii n. sp. belongs to the werneri group on the basis of the rows of denticles on the movable fingers, which appears as external accessory granules. The new species is of a slender appearance with particularly elongated pedipalp chelae, and is easy to distinguish from all congeneric taxa. Meristic data, drawings, and an identification key are provided.
Key words. Scorpiones, Compsobuthus petriolii n. sp., systematics, Iran.
Zoology in the Middle East 34, 2005: 79-86
Tariq Al-Najjar
Seasonal and spatial variations in mesozooplankton biomass in the northern Gulf of Aqaba
Abstract. No significant differences were found among the average amounts of mesozooplankton studied at seven stations in the northern part of the Gulf of Aqaba (six coastal and one offshore station) in 2003. The seasonal variation of the zooplankton biomass, however, followed a clear pattern: average values were high during autumn and spring, and low during summer (JuneSeptember). Size fractions >500 m dominated the sampled biomass and comprised 69% of the total biomass. A higher portion of biomass (58%) was obtained at the coastal stations compared with 42% at the offshore station.
Key words. Zooplankton, biomass, seasonality, Gulf of Aqaba, Jordan, Middle East, Red Sea.
Zoology in the Middle East 34, 2005: 87-92
Yasemin (Basbug) Saygi
Seasonal succession and distribution of zooplankton in Yeniağa Lake in northwestern Turkey
Abstract. The zooplankton community structure in Yeniağa Lake was studied during an eighteen-month survey between October 1997 and August 1999. Eight Cladoceran species, eight Copepoda and six dominant Rotifera taxa were identified. Sampling at Yeniağa Lake revealed large seasonal variations in the zooplankton abundance and succession. Before September 1998, the total zooplankton abundance ranged from 1,691 to 21,557 ind./m3. The dominant zooplankton groups changed from autumn/spring to summer: rotifers first increased, followed by nauplii in May, finally cladocera and calanoid copepods were dominant in the summer months. The summer population started with Daphnia magna and D. pulex, followed by the smaller Ceriodaphnia dubia. Diaphanosoma brachiurum started building up its population in the late summer. Copepoda were mainly represented by the calanoid copepod Acanthodiaptomus denticornis between May and September 1998. Zooplankton abundance and composition in the lake changed drastically after September 1998. Zooplankton abundance was between 237 (September) and 9,766 (August) ind./m3. Huge filamentous cyanobacteria blooms coincided with the depression of the zooplankton abundance. Microzooplankton (mainly Rotifera and Nauplii) were dominant and Rotifera were mainly represented by Keratella and Filinia.
Key words. Zooplankton, seasonal distribution, abundance, Yeniağa Lake, Turkey, Middle East.
Zoology in the Middle East 34, 2005: 93-100
M. Rusen Ustaoglu, Suleyman Balik, Didem Ozdemir Mis, Cem Aygen
The zooplankton of some mountain lakes in the Taurus Range (Turkey)
Abstract. The zooplankton of 16 mountain lakes in the Taurus Range was studied during 1996 and 1997, and a total of 116 zooplankton taxa, comprising 69 rotifers, 33 cladocerans, 12 copepods, one anostracan, and one chonchostracan was identified. Four rotifers (Brachionus polyacanthus, Asplanchnopus hyalinus, Lecane haliclysta, Dissotrocha aculeata medio-aculeata) and one copepod (Arctodiaptomus (Rh.) alpinus) are new for Turkish inland waters, and they are illustrated.
Key words. Rotifera, Cladocera, Copepoda, Anostraca, Chonchostraca, Anatolia.
Zoology in the Middle East 34, 2005: 101-108
Short Communications
Abdolghasem Khaleghizadeh, Soleiman Khormali
The Brown Bear, Ursus arctos, feeding on sunflowers in the vicinity of Golestan National Park, Iran
Zoology in the Middle East 34, 2005: 109-110
Murat Bilecenoglu, Goken Bilge, Halit Filiz
First record of the Small-toothed Argentine, Glossanodon leioglossus (Valenciennes, 1848) (Osteichthyes: Argentinidae), from Turkey
Zoology in the Middle East 34, 2005: 110-112
Hamid Reza Esmaeili, Brian W. Coad
Range extension for Mystus pelusius (Solander in Russell, 1794) (Actinopterygii: Bagridae) in southern Iran
Zoology in the Middle East 34, 2005: 112-114
Oya Ozulug
Living specimens of Ilyocypris salebrosa Stepanaitys, 1959 (Crustacea: Ostracoda) from Thrace, Turkey
Zoology in the Middle East 34, 2005: 114-16
Erol Atay, Beyhan Altintas
Anania verbascalis (Denis & Schiffermller, 1775) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae: Pyraustinae), new for Turkey
Zoology in the Middle East 34, 2005: 117-118
Bekir Keskin
A new record for the Tenebrionidae (Coleoptera) fauna of Turkey: Mesostena puncticollis Solier, 1835 (Pimeliinae: Tentyriini)
Zoology in the Middle East 34, 2005: 119-120