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Zoology in the
Middle East Volume
52, 2011 ISSN 0939-7140 Kasparek Verlag,
Heidelberg 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 Preview (abstract/cover page)s, the Zoological Record and many
other review organs. Price per article: Euro 10.00
(plus Euro 2.00 postage/handling) |
Adwan H.
Shehab, Samir A. Al-Ahmad, Fauzy F. Samara
Morphology and distribution of the Indian Gerbil, Tatera indica
(Hardwicke, 1807), in Syria (Rodentia: Gerbillinae)
Abstract. Twenty-two specimens of the Indian Gerbil (Tatera
indica Hardwicke, 1807) were collected during January and February 2009
from northeastern Syria near the border with Turkey. The external and
cranial morphology and biometric measurements are given. Skull, structure,
phallus and baculum were found to be similar to those reported from southern
Turkey. The cranial and dental measurements closely resembled those reported
for the Turkish population, but were larger than in Iranian specimens.
Ecological and biological aspects are discussed. The range of the Indian Gerbil
in Syria is restricted to rivers and irrigated lands in the northeastern parts
of the country.
Key words. Indian Gerbil, Tatera
indica, morphology, distribution, Mammalia, Rodentia, Syria.
Zoology in the Middle East 52, 2011:
3-10. | Preview
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Tamer Albayrak
Anthropogenic barriers to the distribution of the Grey Wolf (Canis
lupus Linnaeus, 1758) in the Beydağları Mountains area, Turkey
Mammalia: Carnivora)
Abstract. Field observations,
interviews with local people and Forestry Department workers and camera
trapping were used to determine the status of wolves in the
Beydağları Mountains and surroundings. Following interview data,
camera traps were placed at 17 stations between 1100 and 1900 m a.s.l. in
Çığlıkara Nature Protected Area (NPA) and were maintained for
1031 camera days, from 29 May to 25 September 2009. Wolf pictures were taken
during the time period of 20:00 and 06:00 hours and at the altitude of
16001800 m a.s.l. The population density of wolves was 0.9 individual per 100
km2 in the trapping
polygon, with a buffer area of 445.5 km2 calculated using Geographic
Information System (GIS). Çığlıkara NPA regularly hosts a wolf
population in the Beydağları region due to anthropogenic barriers,
topological barriers (high mountain ranges) and habitat preferences. The other
areas of the Beydağları region have human structures such as
villages, roads, farmland, high plateau houses, etc, that negatively affect the
wolf distribution pattern.
Key words. Grey Wolf, Canis
lupus, conservation, mammals, camera trapping, Anatolia, Turkey, Middle
East.
Zoology in the Middle East 52, 2011:
11-16. | Preview
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Jacqueline Loos, Tamar Dayan, Nora Drescher, Tal Levanony, Erez Maza,
Boaz Shacham, Roy Talbi, Thorsten Assmann
Habitat preferences of the Levant Green Lizard, Lacerta media
israelica (Peters, 1964) (Reptilia: Lacertidae)
Abstract. The Levant Green
Lizard, Lacerta media israelica (Peters, 1964), is a rare
and declining lizard species that is classified as regionally vulnerable in
Israel and Lebanon. We found information about historical observations of this
species at 42 different locations. During field work at these and 12 additional
locations between March and July 2009, we found 35 individuals at 21 different
sites. Sixty-six percent of formerly inhabited places appeared not to be
inhabited by the species anymore. L. media israelica inhabited
heterogeneous plots, with an average of 30% herbaceous and shrub layer,
moderate slope angle and a high proportion of woodland cover. Most observations
occurred at the margins of anthropogenic installations and near woodland sites,
such as fruit plantations, car parks, trails and traditional pasture landscape.
To conserve populations of the Levant Green Lizard, it will be important to
maintain landscape heterogeneity, including extensively used semi-open
shrubland areas (such as local garigue or batha) for the protection of this
species.
Key words. Mediterranean
Lacertid, microhabitat, landscape heterogeneity, ecotone.
Zoology in the Middle East 52, 2011:
17-28. | Preview
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Bektas Sönmez, Cemal Turan, Sükran Yalcin Özdilek
The effect of relocation on the morphology of Green Turtle, Chelonia
mydas (Linnaeus, 1758), hatchlings on Samandağ beach, Turkey
(Reptilia: Cheloniidae)
Abstract. We studied the
impact of nest relocation in Green Turtles, Chelonia mydas (Linnaeus,
1758), on hatchling morphology at Samandağ, Turkey, and examined 350
hatchlings taken equally from both natural nests and relocated nests. The
nuchal, vertebral and costal series were the most variable and the supracaudal
scutes were almost stable for the hatchlings in both groups. There were
significant differences in all sets of nuchal, costal and marginal except
vertebral scutes between hatchlings from natural and relocated nests.
Hatchlings from relocated nests also had a smaller straight carapace width and
lower weight than hatchlings from natural nests. Furthermore, hatchlings from
relocated nests had smaller left and right fore limb lengths than hatchlings
from natural nests. There were significant differences between both nests in
incubation duration and moisture content. Relocation thus has a negative effect
on hatchling morphology and consequently on the fitness of hatchlings. The
smaller size of hatchlings (with scute variations) results in reduced fitness.
In spite of the relocation of nests being an important protection technique, it
has a negative effect on the morphology and probably on the viability of
hatchlings.
Key words. Chelonia mydas,
morphology, nest relocation, conservation, Samandağ beach, Turkey,
Mediterranean Sea.
Zoology in the Middle East 52, 2011:
29-38. | Preview
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Eyup Baskale, Ferah Sayim, Samil Yildirim, Mehmet Kutsay Atatür, Ugur
Kaya
Reproductive ecology and body size-fecundity relationships of the Green
Toad, Pseudepidalea viridis (Laurenti, 1768), in the Kocaçay
Stream, Izmir, Turkey (Amphibia: Anura)
Abstract. We studied the
breeding biology of the Green Toad, Pseudepidalea viridis (Laurenti, 1768), in the 2007-2008
breeding seasons at Kocaçay Stream. The breeding period began in early February
and lasted approximately two months. The median of the breeding seasons was
calculated as 5tMarch for the entire study period 2007-2008. The
average clutch size was 14,594 eggs and this value was higher than in other
conspecific populations from Denmark, Israel and Italy. Clutch size and clutch
mass were significantly correlated with female body size, but single egg mass
and egg diameter were not. A negative significant correlation was seen between
clutch size and egg diameter.
Key words. Climate, clutch
size, green toad, reproductive output, spawning duration, Turkey.
Zoology in the Middle East 52, 2011:
39-46. | Preview
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Majid Bakhtiyari, Shafagh Kamal, Asghar Abdoli, Hamid Reza Esmaeli,
Mehrgan Ebrahimi
Comparison of the feeding behaviour and strategy of the Killifish, Aphanius
sophiae Heckel, 1847, at two different localities in Iran
(Actinopterygii: Cyprinodontidae)
Abstract. The feeding strategy and
behavioural differences of a Killifish, Aphanius sophiae Heckel, 1847,
were compared at a freshwater spring (Cheshme-Ali at Damghan) and a salty water
river (Shour River) by considering stable and non-stable environmental conditions. The results showed that Killifish were
affected by environmental differences. Chironomid larvae were its main food
item in Shour River, whilst the species mainly fed on crustaceans and Daphnia
at Cheshme-Ali. In Cheshme-Ali, the fish had suitable feeding for almost the
whole year in spite of some fluctuations during the period of shortened
daylight. In Shour River, however, the case was affected by salinity and thermo
period. Therefore suitable and stable conditions allowed more prey selection
for Killifish in Cheshme-Ali than in Shour River. The observations demonstrated
that Killifish probably preferred to hunt a specific prey that is abundant and
easy to capture. Furthermore, the size of both prey and predator can affect
their feeding diversity. The results in Shour River showed a higher relative
length of gut (RLG) (p<0.05) which means more energy utilization and
osmoregulation in the gut. Also the Shour River population shows a relatively benthic, passive behaviour and a low condition
factor (p<0.05) that is caused by different and non-stable conditions.
Key words. Aphanius sophiae, feeding behaviour,
Cheshme Ali Spring, Shour River, Iran, Middle East.
Zoology in the Middle East 52, 2011:
47-56. | Preview
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Ahmet Mutlu Gözler, Semih Engin, Davut Turan, Cemalettin Sahin
Age, growth and fecundity of the Turkish Brook Lamprey, Eudontomyzon
lanceolata (Kux & Steiner, 1972), in north-eastern Turkey
(Petromyzontiformes: Petromyzontidae)
Abstract. The age, growth and fecundity
of the Turkish Brook Lamprey, Eudontomyzon lanceolata (Kux &
Steiner, 1972), was studied at İyidere stream in the Black Sea region of
Turkey. The total length values varied between 2.0 and 17.3 cm (average 11.38
cm), and the total weight values between 0.02 and 9.4 g (average 2.57 g). The
sex ratio (female:male) was 1:1.16. Larvae start their metamorphosis after they
reach 2 years, and metamorphosis extends over 3 years. It begins at the end of
summer. Metamorphosis was observed in individuals longer than 13 cm, but even
some larger individuals showed larval characteristics. Females in 4th
year sampled between March and May had ovaries full of eggs. The absolute
fecundity was found to be on average 1898.5 eggs/female. No individuals who had
already laid eggs were found.
Key words. Fecundity, egg
size, Petromyzontidae, Black Sea region, Turkey, Middle East.
Zoology in the Middle East 52, 2011:
57-62. | Preview
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Aref Dia, Henri J Dumont
The Odonata of Lebanon (Insecta: Odonata)
Abstract. In a year-long survey of the
Odonata of Lebanon, 29 species of the approximately 49 known or expected to
live in the country were recorded. Some endangered species should be considered
for urgent protection. Others are doing well. A brief biogeographic analysis of
the fauna is given. The almost complete absence of species typical of semi-arid
to arid environments is to be noted.
Key words. Lebanon, Odonata,
biogeography, river ecology.
Zoology in the Middle East 52, 2011:
63-70. | Preview
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Fateme Firouzi, Shahrokh Pashaei Rad, Sakine Hossein Nezhad, Donat
Agosti
Four new records of ants from Iran (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Abstract. Four ant species are recorded
for the first time for Iran: Myrmica hellenica Finzi, 1926; Myrmica
deplanata Emery, 1921; Messor aralocaspius Ruzsky,
1902; and Messor picturatus Santschi,
1927. The ant fauna of Iran now includes 148 species.
Key words. Formicidae, Myrmica, Messor, Zanjan, Mazandaran,
Iran, Middle East.
Zoology in the Middle East 52, 2011:
71-78. | Preview
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Seyed Massoud Madjdzadeh, Hassan Ali Dawah, Mike Bruford
Morphometric differentiation of Tetramesa leucospae Zerova
& Madjdzadeh, 2005, populations associated with two geographically isolated
grass species in Iran (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae)
Abstract. Discriminant
function and cluster analyses were performed on 19 morphometric variables of
the head, thorax, propodeum, wing, antenna and leg to determine whether
individuals of Tetramesa sp. are distinguishable from the
morphologically similar Tetramesa leucospae Zerova & Madjdzadeh,
2005. The former was reared from the grass Leucopoa pseudosclerophylla
(Krivot.), an endemic species in the alpine region of southern Iran, and the
latter from Festuca sclerophylla (Boiss. Ex Bisch.) that is found on
stony slopes in northern Iran. Our results showed significant differences
between individuals of Tetramesa reared from these two geographically
isolated grasses. A stepwise discriminant function analysis selected six
morphological characters (distance between two top ocelli, length of compound
eye, breadth of thorax, width of propodeal foramen, stigmal vein and tarsal
segment 2 of hind leg) from which two characters (width of propodeal foramen
and distance between two top ocelli) provided the greatest discrimination between
these geographically isolated populations of Tetramesa. 84% of
individuals were reclassified correctly into their original populations using
these characters. A dendrogram of the cluster analysis based on data of squared
Euclidean distances between Tetramesa showed two main branches, one that
combined Tetramesa reared from L. pseudosclerophylla and the
other that represented the individuals reared from F. sclerophylla. This
analysis clearly implies that each host-associated population is restricted to
one grass species. We therefore concluded that the two Tetramesa
populations represent two host-adapted forms and we consider that they are an
example of superficially cryptic allopatric speciation in insects.
Key words. Morphometrics,
Hymenoptera, Eurytomidae, Leucopoa, Festuca, Poaceae,
host-adapted variation, Iran.
Zoology in the Middle East 52, 2011:
79-88. | Preview
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Adrian C. Pont, Nikita Vikhrev, Doreen Werner
The hunter-flies of Armenia. I. Some species of the genus Limnophora
Robineau-Desvoidy, with the description of a new species (Insecta, Diptera:
Muscidae)
Abstract. New field
observations on adult behaviour and predation in Limnophora riparia
(Fallén) and Limnophora patellifera (Villeneuve) in Armenia are given.
The adults of the little-known L. patellifera, and a new species, Limnophora
femoriseta sp. n. from Armenia and Turkey, are described. All three species
discussed here are new records for Armenia.
Key words. Hunter-flies,
Muscidae, Limnophora, Armenia, Turkey, predation.
Zoology in the Middle East 52, 2011:
89-103. | Preview
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Alireza Saboori, Mohammad Bagheri
A new species of Smaris Latreille, 1796 from Iran (Acari:
Smarididae)
Abstract. Smaris
maraghehiensis sp. n. (Acari: Smarididae) is described and illustrated from
larvae free-living on soil (off host) from Maragheh, Iran. It is the third
species of Smaris Latreille, 1796 based on larvae which is reported from
outside Australia. A key to the larvae of Smaris is presented.
Key words. Parasitengona, new
species, larva, ectoparasite, key.
Zoology in the Middle East 52, 2011:
105-110. | Preview
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Short
Communications
Rahimeh
Baramaki Yazdi, Maryam Shaghoozaie, Somayeh Galdavi, Mostafa Yousef Elahi,
Mohsen Shahriar Moghadam, Nahid Shokri Bousjein, Mohammad Javidkar
Identification of a new morphotype of the Indian Gerbil, Tatera indica
Hardwicke, 1807 (Muridae, Rodentia), from Iran
Zoology in the Middle East 52, 2011:
111-113. | Order article...
Michael Heiss
The first breeding record of the Red-footed Falcon, Falco vespertinus
(Linnaeus, 1766), in Azerbaijan
Zoology in the Middle East 52, 2011:
113-115. | Order article...
Bayram Öztürk, Arda M. Tonay, Aylin Akkaya, Ayaka Amaha Öztürk, Ayhan
Dede
Stranding of a Green Turtle, Chelonia mydas (Linnaeus,
1758), in the Turkish Black Sea
Zoology in the Middle East 52, 2011:
115-1117. | Order article...
Julia L. Y. Spaet, Jesse E. M. Cochran, Michael L. Berumen
First record of the Pigeye Shark, Carcharhinus amboinensis
(Müller & Henle, 1839) (Carcharhiniformes: Carcharhinidae), in the Red Sea
Zoology in the Middle East 52, 2011:
118-121. | Order article...
Gökhan Aydin
Conservation status of the Tiger Beetle Calomera aphrodisia
(Baudi di Selve, 1864) in Turkey (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae)
Zoology in the Middle East 52, 2011:
121-123. | Order article...
Hassan Ghahari, Reijo Jussila
Five species of Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera) new to Iran
Zoology in the Middle East 52, 2011:
123-124. | Order article...
Kerem Bakir, Tuncer Katagan
On the occurrence of Caprella scaura Templeton, 1836
(Crustacea: Amphipoda) in Turkish waters
Zoology in the Middle East 52, 2011:
125-126. | Order article...
Kamil Koc
Three new records of cheyletid mites from Turkey (Acari: Cheyletidae)
Zoology in the Middle East 52, 2011: 126-128. | Order article...
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