A record of the Plain Tiger,Danaus chrysippus,in Western Anatolia

Abstract

The Plain Tiger Danaus chrysippus was recorded in Western Anatolia in 1993 for the first time. There are only a few records from Turkey.     

First record of the Marginated Tortoise,Testudo marginata,in Turkey

Abstract

The Marginated Tortoise is recorded for the first time from Turkey, from the delta of the Küçük Menderes River which is less than 250 km away from the closest known area in Greece. The question of whether the specimen might have been transported to Turkey by man is discussed.     

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.     

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.     

The Trumpeter Finch,Bucanetes githagineus,in Turkey

Abstract

A Trumpeter Finch was recorded on Nemrud Mountain in Eastern Anatolia on 17.8.1987. Together with some other unpublished records, this indicates breeding at a few sites in eastern Turkey.     

On the occurrence of the Weasel,Mustela nivalis,in Turkey

Abstract

It was shown that the Weasel is distributed over the whole of Anatolia The species’ considerable size, the occasional occurrence of a white winter coat and the existence of two types of Weasels (nivalis type and minuta type) in Turkey have often lead to the wrong assumption that the Stoat (M. erminea) also occurs in Turkey.     

On the occurrence and status of the Chameleon,Chamaeleo chamaeleon,in Turkey

Abstract

The main distribution area of the Chameleon in Turkey is the Aegean and the Mediterranean regions, however, records are also available from the Marmara region and from southeast Anatolia.     

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This paper reviews 53 records of the Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) in Bulgaria (1912–1989) from published and unpublished sources.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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Cardenolide content of Danaus chrysippus butterflies from three areas of East Africa

The African butterfly Danaus chrysippus , like other members of the family Danaidae, feeds as a larva on species of milkweeds (Asclepiadaceae). It has been demonstrated in a sample from a West African population that only a minority of adult D. chrysippus accumulated detectable amounts of poisonous and presumably emetic cardenolides from their larval foodplants. It has also been shown in D. chrysippus and the related monarch butterfly ( D. plexippus ) that the cardenolide content of adults varies with that of their respective milkweed foodplants.
Three population samples of D. chrysippus from sites in East Africa are analysed for cardenolides using the spectrophotometric technique refined by Brower, Edmunds & Moffitt (1975), which allows the assay of individual butterflies. The East African samples all have a palatability spectrum with a considerably higher percentage of cardenolide-containing individuals than the West African one.
This is discussed in terms of its effect on potential bird predators and the 'automimicry' of emetic by palatable individuals. In East Africa D. chrysippus is polymorphic and appears to act as a model in a complex mimicry ring, whereas in West Africa it is monomorphic and may have 'shed' most of its mimics. This latter hypothesis is discussed in the light of our results.     

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.     

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.     

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 Eregli Marshes: A new nesting site for the Greater Flamingo,Phoenicopterus ruber,in Turkey

Abstract

35–40 old Flamingo nests were found in the Ere?li Marshes in 1987. Successful breeding probably did not take place. A review of Flamingo breeding in Turkey is given.     

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.