Red-rumped Wheatear,Oenanthe moesta,in Turkey

Abstract

Even in areas with a rich insect life inhabited by several species of swallows and swifts, different preferences and species assemblages during aerial hunting can be observed. Geographical differences in distribution and abundance, different habitat preferences, time of season and day as well as different range of hunting flights will influence local species assemblages and coexistence during aerial hunting.     

On the occurrence of the Bittern,Botaurus stellaris,in Turkey

Abstract

This paper reviews 53 records of the Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) in Bulgaria (1912–1989) from published and unpublished sources. The phonology, distribution, ecology and behaviour of these migrants are described and discussed. Attention is drawn to “pale” Whimbrels which may belong to the rare subspecies albuaxillaris.     

Lesser Sandplover,Charadrius mongolus,in Turkey

Sagittal otoliths are widely used to determine taxon, age and size of the teleost fishes, and are useful tools for studies of prey-predator relationships, population dynamics and ichthyo-archaeology. They can also be used to estimate the size of the prey. We examined the relationships between otolith measurements (length, height and weight) and fish size (total length and weight) for two species of Argentinidae (Argentina sphyraena and Glossanodon leioglossus) from the Southern Aegean Sea, Turkey. Length, height and mass of sagittae were shown to be good indicators for the length and weight of fish in both species. Glossanodon leioglossus has relatively larger sagittae than Argentina sphyraena. Linear and exponential functions provided the best fit for relations between otolith and fish measurements. No significant differences were found between left and right otolith sizes.     

On the distribution of the Fire-bellied Toad,Bombina bombina,in Turkey

Abstract

The Lake of Köyceg¯iz (Köyceg¯iz Gölü) in southwest Turkey is influenced by several external factors such as sulfuric springs, :Mediterranean seawater and a relatively strong changing wind. These give rise to an exceptional hydrochemistry and hydrophysics, which are reflected in the phyto and zooplankton. The complicated layer structure of the lake is determined more by chemical gradients than by temperature. The water body is divided in two layers of differing hydrology. The upper layer is subject to full circulation while the lower one is strictly stratified by chemical gradients caused by the sulfuric sources and an influx of-Mediterranean water. The lake can be classified as meromictic. Subsurface freshwater springs may well influence the system, but to a lesser degree. Phyto- and zooplankton are characterized by a limited number of species and a low biomass. ’This is due to a very thin euphotic zone as well as the brackish character of the lake water.     

Grey-headed Woodpecker,Picus canus,in north-eastern Turkey

Abstract

A new record of the Grey-headed Woodpecker in north-eastern Turkey shows, together with published results, that the species apparently is distributed in low density over the whole Black Sea region of Turkey.     

Egyptian Mongoose,Herpestes ichneumon,in southern Turkey

Abstract

Foot-prints and direct observations showed that the Egyptian Mongoose is relatively common in the Çukurova region of southern Turkey. Droppings contained approx. 65% birds.     

Occurrence of the Brown-necked Raven,Corvus ruficollis,at Cizre in Eastern Turkey

An adult male of Maynard's Longnose Sand Snake (Lytorhynchus maynardi) was collected on 24 July 2009 from the east of Sistan and Baluchistan Province in south-eastern Iran. The new locality is the westernmost record of this species in western Asia, and the first record for 42 years from Iran. Information on the geographic distribution of the genus Lytorhynchus Peters, 1863 in Iran, comparative morphology and some ecological data are presented here.     

The White-breasted Kingfisher,Halcyon smyrnensis,in Turkey: On the occurrence of an endangered species

Abstract

The size of the Turkish population of the White-breasted Kingfisher is estimated to be about 100–150 pairs of which approx. 75% are concentrated in five localities. This makes the species vulnerable. A distribution map is given.     

The first breeding record of the Desert Wheatear,Oenanthe deserti,in Turkey

Abstract

Breeding of the Desert Wheatear (Oenanthe deserti) was confirmed in south-east Turkey in 1985.     

New records on the Red-tailed Wheatear,Oenanthe xanthoprymna,in Turkey

Abstract

Data are given on the distribution of the freshwater clam Corbicula fluminalis (Corbiculidae) in the Near East, with special reference to its north-western limit. Its present distribution is relatively stable, and this contrasts with the continuing expansion throughout Europe of C. fluminea and C. fluviatilis, two East Asian species that were introduced into America and thence into Europe. The distribution pattern of C. fluminalis in the Near East was shaped during the Pliocene. There were only small expansions in its range in Mesopotamia and the northern Levant during the Pleistocene Riss glacial, which is quite different from the situation in other parts of its range. During the pre-glacial Pleistocene (Ubeidiya) C. Jluminalis reached the Jordan rift valley. From there, either immediately or subsequently during the Riss glacial, it invaded the coastal rivers of the southern Levant and the Nile, reaching upstream as Far as Lake Tana. In Africa C. fluminalis met C. consobrina which had been there since the middle of the Pliocene.     

On a historical occurrence of the Lion,Panthera leo,in Turkey

Abstract

The distribution of the Indian Crested Porcupine Hystrtx indica in Iraq is described, with 19 additional new localities. The population has apparently has been declining during the last twenty years. Preganancy was recorded between April and September, suggesting at least two litters per year. The mean number of embryos was 2.3 per female. 98–100% of the stomach content consisted of plant material.     

First record of the beetle Osphranteria coerulescens Redtenbacher, 1850 (Coleoptera,Cerambycidae) from Turkey

Abstract

The beetle Osphranteria coerulescens, until now known only from a few places in Iran and in Syria is reported from four sites in Eastern Turkey.     

New records of the Egyptian Fruit Bat,Rousettus aegyptiacus,in Turkey

Spermatogenesis in the Caspian Bent-toed Gecko, Cyrtopodion caspium, was studied in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran. Sampling took place periodically every 15 days during the activity period of this species at night, from 5 April to 20 October 2011. In total, 70 adult males were captured by hand. Testes were removed and processed for histological and morphometric studies. The results show that spermatogenesis begins in early April, reaches its peak in late May and early June, and ends in early to mid August. The maximum level of sperm production occurred in early June. The minimum diameter, weight and volume of testes were observed in early August. Three phases were observed during the activity period for spermatogenesis in C. caspium: active, transitional and inactive phases. Spermatogenesis of C. caspium in Iran is seasonal and alternate.     

On the historical distribution and present situation of Gazelles,Gazella spp., in Turkey

Abstract

Panthera tigris strayed at least once (1887) as far south as Mossul Liwa, Iraq. The relationship of this with neighbouring occurences is mapped.     

Re-mating between and within breeding seasons in the Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber roseus

Data on re-mating between and within breeding seasons were collected between 1983 and 1994 as part of a long-term study of the Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber roseus in the Camargue, southern France. Flamingos have bred in the Rhône delta for centuries and since 1972 have done so annually on an artificial island in the Etang du Fangassier. A sample of chicks has been ringed each year since 1977; many of these birds were later observed back at the breeding site and were used in this study. The mate-switching rate between consecutive breeding seasons was 98.3%. This result is contrary to what has been reported from captive flocks where extensive mate fidelity occurred between consecutive breeding seasons. Mate-switching also was observed in the Camargue within breeding seasons, following breeding failure, and seems to be linked to male breeding strategy in response to the need to synchronize hatching and the limited energy supply of breeding females. The absence of a long-term pair bond in Greater Flamingos contrasts with current views on the evolution of mate fidelity in relation to longevity in birds.     

On the distribution of the Slow Worm,Anguis fragilis,and the European Glass Lizard,Ophisaurus apodus,in Turkey

Abstract

The two subspecies of Ophisaurus apodus represent different ecotypes: thracicus is a coastal type, which occurs in Turkey along all coasts (but only local along the Black Sea coast), whereas nominate apodus is an inland type which is found in Turkey only in the extreme east. Anguis fragilis is confined to areas in which the monthly mean precipitation is above 20 mm.