A review of the tribe Phanerotomini (Hymenoptera,Braconidae, Cheloninae) in Turkey,with a new host record for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phanerotoma</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bracotritoma</Emphasis>) <Emphasis Type="Italic">permixtellae</Emphasis>

In this study, the Phanerotomini of Turkey collected between July 1959 and July 2004, are listed. A total of thirteen Phanerotomini species were determined, and six of these are reported for the first time from Turkey. Phanerotoma (Bracotritoma) permixtellae Fischer, 1968 was reared from a new natural host Recurvaria pistaciicola (Danilevskii, 1955) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). With this present study an illustrated identification key for the Phanerotomini of Turkey is given. The distribution of the Phanerotomini species is discussed according to the phytogeographical provinces of Turkey.     

On the genus SuniusStephens, 1829 of Turkey. VI. A new micropterous species and distribution of the genus (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Paederinae)

A new species of the genus Sunius Stephens, 1829 is described from Konya province in Anatolia and illustrated: Sunius yamani sp. n. Additional records of six species of Sunius from Turkey are reported. A total of 39 species are now known from Turkey, 35 of them are endemic. Distribution maps are given for all Turkish members of the genus Sunius.     

The harvest of freshwater crayfish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Astacus leptodactylus</Emphasis> (Eschscholtz, 1823) in Turkey

Astacus leptodactylus is naturally and widely distributed in lakes, ponds and rivers throughout of Turkey. It has also been stocked in many freshwater systems in Turkey to establish new populations and to restore crayfish stocks devastated by the plague (Aphanomyces astaci) and some other reasons (i.e., farming and culinary purposes). Human consumption of A. leptodactylushas always been very low in Turkey; therefore, it was exported mainly to Europe until 1986. A plague was observed in 1985 in Eğirdir, Apolyont, Sapanca and Manyas lakes which included the main harvest areas, and the fishery was lost within 2 years. Consequently, crayfish harvest was banned in all populations to control the plague. Because of the plague, over-fishing and pollution, the harvest of A. leptodactylusin Turkey declined from approximately 5000 (1984) to 200 (1991) tons annually. In 2000s, there has been a gradual increase in the rate of harvest of A. leptodactylusin Turkey, reaching approximately 1600–1900 tons annually, but the plague is still observed in this species at certain localities. The present study reveals that A. leptodactylus in Turkey needs professional support for recovery, because the present harvest of A. leptodactylusis still nearly 20% of the crayfish catch in 1980s.     

The Quercus cerris woods of the alliance Carpinion orientalis Horvat 1958 in Italy

Abstract

A phytosociological study of the alliance Carpinion orientalis in the hilly and subcoastal areas of the Italian peninsula is presented. These woods are included in the suballiances Laburno-Ostryenion and Lauro-Quercenion; the distinction between these two suballiances is not always easy also because of the conservation status of these forest ecosystems. The hilly and subcoastal Turkey oak woods of the alliance Carpinion orientalis are mainly distributed on the Adriatic side of the Italian peninsula, where they are found on neutro-basic substrata to which these coenoses are linked. The Turkey oak woods of the alliance Teucrio siculi-Quercion cerridis are strongly linked to the acidic substrata typical of the Tyrrhenian side, but are sporadically found on the Adriatic side within small enclaves with more acidic substrata. A numerical analysis allowed us to rearrange the lower hierarchical levels of the associations of Turkey oak woods of the alliance Carpinion orientalis. In particular, the association Lonicero xylostei-Quercetum cerridis is included in the alliance Carpinion orientalis, and the new subassociation festucetosum exaltatae is proposed. The subassociation rosetosum arvensis is proposed for the association Daphno laureolae-Quercetum cerridis, and the new subassociation cytisophylletosum sessilifolii of the association Aceri obtusati-Quercetum cerridis is described.     

Cytotaxonomy of the Prosimulium (Diptera: Simuliidae) of Western Asia

Chromosomal analysis of more than 500 larval black flies from 19 sites in Armenia and Turkey revealed five taxa in the Prosimulium hirtipes group: Prosimulium frontatum Terteryan, Prosimulium rachiliense Djafarov cytoform ‘A,’ P. rachiliense Djafarov cytoform ‘B,’ Prosimulium tomosvaryi (Enderlein), and a new species of Prosimulium. To associate the names rufipes (Meigen) and tomosvaryi with cytological entities, larvae from the respective type localities in Germany were characterized chromosomally. Prosimulium frontatum is restricted to the Caucasus Mountains where studied populations have five unique inversions. It is most closely related to cytoforms ‘A’ and ‘B’ of P. rachiliense, the three taxa sharing one unique inversion. The two cytoforms of P. rachiliense are separated by about 1200 km, obscuring decisions about their reproductive isolation. The names rachiliense and possibly pronevitschae Rubtsov apply to cytoform ‘A’ in Armenia, whereas the name fulvipes (Edwards) might apply to cytoform ‘B’ in Turkey and to material formerly identified in Turkey as P. rufipes. Populations of P. tomosvaryi in Armenia are chromosomally distinct from previously studied populations in Europe and Morocco, although tied to European and Turkish populations by a shared X‐linked inversion. We conservatively view Armenian, European, and Turkish populations of P. tomosvaryi as a single, polymorphic species. A new species, chromosomally related to P. hirtipes (Fries) and P. tomosvaryi by two uniquely shared inversions, was discovered in Turkey. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London     

Insecticidal effects of some biological agents on Agelastica alni (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The alder leaf beetle (Agelastica alni L., Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) causes approximately 10% of total economic damage to hazelnut product per year in Turkey. A. alni larvae are susceptible to several pathogens indigenous to the area in which these insects occur in Turkey. In the present study, in order to find a more effective and safer biological control agent against this common pest, we evaluated the various biological agents’ insecticidal activity during the four hazelnut seasons from 2002 to 2005 on the larvae of the alder leaf beetle collected from the vicinity of Trabzon, Turkey. The tested agents are 25 insect-originating bacteria, 2 bacterial toxins and 1 viral preparation. The results showed that the highest insecticidal activity was obtained by bacterial isolates at 1.8 × 10⁹ bacteria/mL dose, within ten days on the larvae of A. alni. These are 90% for Bacillus thuringiensis biovar tenebrionis (4AA1), Bacillus sphaericus (Ar4, isolated from Anoplus roboris L., Col.: Curculionidae), and Bacillus thuringiensis (Mm2, isolated from Melolontha melolontha L., Col.: Scarabaeidae). Our results indicate that these isolates may be valuable as biological control agent.     

Ctenophthalmus harputus, a new Spalax flea from Turkey

ABSTRACT. Ctenophthalmus harputus sp.n. is described from the mole rat Spalax ehrenbergi Nehring collected near Elaziǧ city in eastern Turkey. This new flea species is classified in the Ctenophthalmus (Palaeo-ctenophthalmus) fissurus Wagner group. A key is given to the six species of Spalax fleas (Siphonaptera: Hystrichopsyllidae, Ctenophthalmus spp.) recorded from Turkey.     

Helminth communities of the Turkish endemic fish,Pseudophoxinus crassus (Ladiges, 1960): four helminth parasites for a new host record

Tuz Gölü (Salt Lake) Basin is one of the largest hypersaline lakes in the world and of extremely high biological importance owing to its high diversity and high level of endemism. It is hypothesized that the basin environment and the endemism of Pseudophoxinus crassus – a species of ray‐finned fish in the Cyprinidae family and found only in Turkey – might contribute to the host‐specific parasite characters. A total of 92 P. crassus specimens were collected by electrofishing between spring 2009 and autumn 2010 from the ?ncesu Stream in Konya Province, Turkey. By the end of the study period, four parasitic helminth species (Gyrodactylus latus, Asymphylodora imitans, Bothriocephalus acheilognathi and Pomphorhynchus laevis) were recorded. All had been reported previously from other hosts (non‐host specific). Among these parasites G. latus and A. imitans are new records for the helminth fauna of Turkey. Prevalence and infestation intensity, length classes, and sex compositions of infested populations, as well as the seasonality of infestation were obtained and the results compared with other studies.     

A new Middle Devonian gasterocomid crinoid from central Turkey and revision of the Gasterocomidae

A juvenile cup, disarticulated arm plates, and columnals of the crinoid Arachnocrinus sarizensis n. sp. are described from the Eastern Taurus Mountains of central Turkey. This is the first Paleozoic crinoid based on a cup and arm plates reported from Turkey. Suggested revision of the Gasterocomidae includes transfer of Arachnocrinus and Ancyrocrinus to the family and rejection of Kopficrinus from the family. The stratigraphic range of Arachnocrinus is extended upward into the Middle Devonian from the Early Devonian. The Devonian of Turkey is of special interest because it includes Laurasian and Gondwanan components on different tectonic blocks. The paleogeographic range of Arachnocrinus is extended from the North American plate onto the Anatolian block, which would have been located on the southern edge of the Paleotethys Sea in the Middle Devonian in a shelf basin off the northern coast of Gondwana at approximately 42° south latitude.     

Water mites of the genus Sperchon Kramer (Acari: Hydrachnidia: Sperchontidae) from Turkey,with description of a new species from Taurus Mountains (southern Turkey)

A new water mite species Sperchon (Hispidosperchon) serapae n. sp. is described. The material was collected from a slow-flowing stream during field study on the water mite fauna of the Lakes region in southwestern Turkey. An updated list of hitherto known species of Sperchon Kramer from Turkey, including nomenclatural changes and numerous new locality records to the species, is also given.     

A New Species of Laccobius Erichson, 1837 (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae: Hydrophilinae) from Turkey

A new species, Laccobius (Dimorpholaccobius) hopaensis sp. n. is described and Laccobius (Dimorpholaccobius) hoberlandti Gentili, 1982 is recorded from Turkey for the first time. In addition, a list of Laccobius Erichson, 1837 species known from Turkey is presented.     

A new Centaurea L. (Asteraceae) species from Turkey

A new Centaurea L. (Asteraceae) species from Turkey is described and illustrated. Centaurea mersinensis Uysal and Hamzao?lu exists on calcareous slopes in Pinus brutia forests of Ayd?nc?k (Mersin) in southern Anatolia. It belongs to C. sect. Phalolepis (Cass.) DC., and taxonomically its closest relative is C. lycaonica. Diagnostic morphological characters from very similar taxa are provided, and a key is provided that includes related species of sect. Phalolepis from Turkey. The geographical distribution of the new species and relatives of the same section are mapped. The chromosome number of C. mersinensis, 2n = 18, counted in root tips, is also reported and illustrated.     

Length–weight and length–length relationships for four shad species along the western Black Sea coast of Turkey

This study investigates length–weight and length–length relationships of four shad species (Alosa caspia caspia, Alosa immaculata, Alosa maeotica, Alosa tanaica) captured in the western Black Sea coast of Turkey. A total of 686 specimens, 355 females and 331 males, were caught by gill net, trammel net and longline from 2006 through 2007 along the western Black Sea coast of Turkey. The relationships of total length (TL), fork length (FL) and standard length (SL) are presented for inhabiting in the Black Sea four shad species and the relationships between total length (TL) and body weight (BW) from the two localities, Sile and Karasu in the western Black Sea coast of Turkey. The Length–weight relationships generally indicated positive allometric growth in Alosa species for both males and females and an isometric growth for A. immaculata females. The coefficient b ranged from a minimum 2.97 for females of A. immaculata to a maximum 3.75 for both sexes A. c. caspia. Results indicated that the length–length relationship between the three length measurements were highly correlated (r² > 0.99, P < 0.001).     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chelostes</Emphasis> van Achterberg, 1990 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Brachistinae) from Turkey

A new species of Chelostes van Achterberg, 1990, C. subrobustus sp. n., is described and illustrated from Asian Turkey. The Chelostes species of the world are keyed.     

A synopsis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bracon</Emphasis> species of Turkey with description of a new species (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Braconinae)

Our studies on Bracon F. fauna of Turkey started in 1979 and 107 species have been determined so far belonging to the subgenera Habrobracon Ashmead, Asiabracon Tobias, Rostrobracon Tobias, Bracon Fahringer, Cyanopterobracon Tobias, Glabrobracon Fahringer and Lucobracon Fahringer. Thirteen new Bracon species were published from Turkey. With this present study Bracon (Lucobracon) achterbergi Beyarslan sp. n. is described and its diagnostic characters are illustrated. The distribution of Bracon species are discussed according to the Euxin, Subeuxin, Mediterranean, Xeroeuxin, Iran Steppe, Anatolia Steppe, Central Anatolia Steppe and Mesopotamian Steppe phytogeographical provinces of Turkey.     

Helophorus erzurumicus sp. n., a new species from Turkey and some notes on H. ponticus Angus, 1988 (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae)

A new species of Helophorus Fabricius, 1775 is described from Erzurum, northeastern Turkey: Helophorus erzurumicus. In addition, distributional and morphological notes on H. ponticus Angus, 1988 are presented.     

Threat of non-native crayfish introductions into Turkey: global lessons

Introductions of crayfish species from their home range to new environments have been carried out in many parts of the world. The most important introduced crayfish species are Procambarus clarkii, Pacifastacus leniusculus, Cherax destructor, C. quadricarinatus, Orconectes limosus, O. rusticus and Astacus leptodactylus. The environmental impact of crayfish introductions can be positive, negative or neutral. However, native crayfish populations in Europe have been negatively affected by introductions of non-indigenous crayfish species from America. Negative effects of non-native crayfish introductions included displacement of native crayfish species, transfer of disease (crayfish plague), consumption of fish eggs, reduction of fish stocks, consumption of large amounts of macrophytes, indirect and direct effects on other invertebrates and upsetting production in rice fields. As a result of non-native crayfish introductions, the natural harvest and crayfish industry in Europe have been severely affected. Large quantities of Turkish A. leptodactylus were harvested (approximately 7,000 tonnes annually) and exported to Europe before the crayfish plague was observed in these populations. The total harvest of A. leptodactylus in Turkey reduced dramatically to 320 in 1991 after the plague. Therefore, although Turkey currently has no known non-native crayfish species, there is a threat of non-native crayfish introduction in order to increase crayfish productions and subsequent harvest. The North American spiny-cheek crayfish, O. limosus, has been spreading quickly down the River Danube and could soon reach neighboring countries including Turkey. The North American signal crayfish, P. leniusculus is known from Greece and could be a threat to native stocks if it is introduced into Turkey for aquaculture. Additional threats may come from the release of other North American species, which are widely available through the aquarium trade. We conclude that the spread of non-native crayfish introductions throughout Turkey will increase local problems, because introductions of non-native crayfish in many parts of the world have been known to have caused important reductions in population density and numbers of native crayfish species. Furthermore, freshwater ecosystems may be altered by such introductions and the economic viability of native crayfish species fisheries could be severely reduced in Turkey.     

A new species of Astragalus L. (section Onobrychoidei DC.: Fabaceae) from Turkey

A new species of Astragalus L., A. trabzonicus (section Onobrychoidei DC.), is described and illustrated from north‐east Anatolia in Turkey. The diagnostic, pollen morphological, and chromosomal characteristics are discussed. A distribution map and conservation status are given. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 157 , 741–747.     

Phytogeographical distribution of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vipio</Emphasis> Latreille, 1804 (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Braconinae) in Turkey,with a key to the species in Turkey and adjacent regions

The distribution of Vipio Latreille, 1804 species (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Braconinae) within eight phytogeographical provinces in Turkey is presented on the basis of field studies during 1980–2004. A total of twelve species were found, and the majority of species were associated with the Subeuxin, Euxin, Xeroeuxin and Mediterranean provinces. Vipio humerator (Costa, 1885), V. longicauda (Boheman, 1853) and V. tentator (Rossi, 1790) were the most common species in Turkey, and V. mlokossewiczi Kokoujev, 1898 is a new record for the Turkish fauna. An identification key is provided for 18 species of Vipio from Turkey and adjacent regions with relevant figures of the wings and metasoma.