Multilocus phylogenetic analysis of true morels (Morchella) reveals high levels of endemics in Turkey relative to other regions of Europe

The present study was conducted to better understand how the phylogenetic diversity of true morels (Morchella) in Turkey compares with species found in other regions of the world. The current research builds on our recently published surveys of 10 Turkish provinces and the northern hemisphere in which DNA sequence data from 247 and 562 collections respectively were analyzed phylogenetically. Herein we report on phylogenetic analyses of 243 additional collections made in spring 2009 and 2010 from eight additional provinces in the Aegean, Black Sea, central Anatolia, eastern Anatolia and Marmara regions of Turkey. Our analysis revealed that five species within the Esculenta clade (yellow morels) and 15 species within the Elata clade (black morels) were present in Turkey. Our preliminary results also indicate that M. anatolica, recently described from a collection in Mu?la province in the Aegean region of Turkey, is a closely related sister of M. rufobrunnea; these two species comprise a separate evolutionary lineage from the Esculenta and Elata clades. Nine species of Morchella currently are known only from Turkey, four species were present in Turkey and other European countries and seven species might have been introduced to Turkey anthropogenically. Three of the putatively exotic species in Turkey appear to be endemic to western North America; they are nested within a clade of fire-adapted morels that dates to the late Oligocene, 25 000 000 y ago. Our results indicate that there are roughly twice as many Morchella species in Turkey compared with the other regions of Europe sampled. Knowledge of Morchella species diversity and their biogeographic distribution are crucial for formulating informed conservation policies directed at preventing species loss and ensuring that annual morel harvests are sustainable and ecologically sound.     

Range of the Greater Flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus , metapopulation in the Mediterranean: new insights from Turkey

Metapopulation conservation should rely on a flyway approach aiming at assessing the spatial range of metapopulations by estimating the level of exchanges among local populations. In the western Mediterranean, Greater Flamingos have been shown to constitute a metapopulation with natal and breeding dispersal among colonies. In this paper, we examine whether this metapopulation reaches Turkey using a band-resighting study. Our results are the first evidence of natal and breeding dispersal from the western Mediterranean to Turkey, and suggest that the Gediz Delta, one of the two Turkish breeding colonies, can play a significant role in the recruitment of flamingos from the western Mediterranean. In 2003 and 2004, breeders of western Mediterranean origin accounted for more than 1.2 and 1.9% of the estimated breeding population of the Gediz Delta, respectively. Our observations also indicate that the western Mediterranean and Southwest Asia may constitute two sets of populations, which overlap in Turkey. Finally, the resightings of flamingos banded in Turkey show that post-fledging dispersal from Turkey reaches both the eastern and western Mediterranean wetlands. Future data on the natal and breeding dispersal of flamingos born in Turkey could clarify further the connection between Turkey and the western Mediterranean metapopulation.     

A new species and a new record of ectoparasitic mites from thrips in Turkey (Acari: Trombidiidae and Erythraeidae)

Trombidium telletxeae n. sp. is described from a larva parasitic on Odontothrips sp. (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) from Turkey. Grandjeanella multisetosa Zhang & Goldarazena is also reported for the first time in Turkey. A host list for ectoparasitic larval mites on thrips in Turkey is presented.     

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.     

Weissia multicapsularis,a rare moss species new to Turkey and Asia

The bryophyte flora of Karacabey (Bursa) Floodplain Forest in Turkey was investigated in 2017. Here, we report Weissia multicapsularis (Sm.) Mitt. from forest. This globally important moss species is a new record for Turkey and the continent of Asia. Illustrations, details of the location in Turkey and comparisons with morphologically similar taxa are provided.     

The b chromosome polymorphism in Armenian and Turkey populations of the grasshopper Eyprepocnemis plorans plorans (Charpentier) (Orthoptera, Acrididae, Eyprepocnemidinae)

Karyotype analysis of the grasshopper Eyprepocnemis plorans samples derived from Armenian and Turkey populations was performed using C-banding technique. Chromosome polymorphism was associated only with B chromosomes that were revealed in all studied populations. Six new B chromosome morphotypes were described. Four morphotypes were found only in Armenian populations. One morphotype was revealed only in Turkey populations. One B chromosome morphotype was present in Armenian and Turkey populations. B chromosomes derived from Asian populations consisted mostly from C-positive regions. In some of the B chromosomes small C-negative regions were also registered. Morphotypes of the B chromosomes derived from Armenian and Turkey populations drastically differed from the B chromosomes described in the Iberian Peninsula and North African populations. In contrast to the B chromosomes from Armenian and Turkey populations the B chromosomes from Spain populations contained C-positive and C-negative regions alternated in their arms.     

A review of the ticks (Acari: Ixodida) of Turkey: species diversity, hosts and geographical distribution

Ticks are important ectoparasites, causing a variety of serious infectious diseases in humans and domestic animals. There is very limited taxonomic information about the tick species of Turkey in the literature, even though Turkey has very suitable climate and vegetation for ticks. In the current study, species diversity, hosts and geographical distribution of the ticks present in Turkey are reviewed based on taxonomic data in the literature from 1915 to 2011 and our recent observations. The names of tick species are arranged according to the most recent check lists. The taxonomic records in the literature and our studies on actual tick samples indicated that the tick fauna of Turkey consists of 46 species; 38 species from Ixodidae and 8 species from Argasidae.     

New records of Bryum gemmiferum and Atrichum crispum for Turkey

In this study, the bryophyte flora of ??neada Floodplain Forest National Park (K?rklareli-Demirköy) and Acarlar Floodplain Forest (Sakarya-Karasu) in Turkey were investigated in 2016–2017. Here, we report Bryum gemmiferum R. Wilczek & Demaret from ??neada Floodplain Forest National Park in Turkey. In addition, we report Atrichum crispum (James) Sull from both ??neada and Acarlar Floodplain Forest in Turkey. Atrichum crispum is also a new record for Asia continent. Illustrations, location in Turkey and comparisons with morphologically similar taxa were given.     

A karyological study on subterranean mole rats of the Spalax leucodon Nordmann, 1840 superspecies in Turkey

The karyotypes of 179 specimens of the subterranean mole rats of the Spalax leucodon Nordmann, 1840 superspecies across 40 localities in Turkey were analysed. It was determined that S. leucodon has 2n = 56, NF = 76 in the European part of Turkey (Eceabat population) but 2n = 38, NF = 74; 2n = 50, NF = 70; 2n = 52, NF = 70; 2n = 54, NF = 72; 2n = 56, NF = 74; 2n = 58, NF = 78; 2n = 60, NF = 78; 2n = 60, NF = 80 in populations analysed from the Asian part of Turkey. According to these karyological findings the diploid chromosome numbers of 2n = 50, 2n = 52, 2n = 56 and 2n = 58 determined from the Asian part of Turkey are new fo Spalax leucodon in Turkey. Because diploid numbers of these populations were formerly found from geographically distant localities in Turkey, they were designated as 2n = 50 N, 52 N, 56 N and 58 N, to differentiate from the other forms having the same diploid chromosome numbers but different chromosome morphology.

The occurrence of so many chromosomal forms in such small areas suggested that many other new forms may be found by new studies in Turkey. The presence of 2n = 50, 56 and 58 populations in very small areas is strongly supportive of the opinion of a peripatric chromosomal evolution in Spalax.     

A general view of the lower Palaeolithic of Turkey

Turkey is one of the rich countries in terms of the Lower Palaeolithic period. The favourable climatic and environmental conditions and quality stone raw material resources in the Pleistocene period caused the country to be heavily occupied by the people of the Lower Palaeolithic. Turkey has biface and flake industries of the Lower Palaeolithic period. Biface industries are more common in open-air sites and are often linked to the Acheulean. Biface tools are only found in the deposits of Karain Cave. The eastern and south-eastern parts of Turkey are the densest regions in terms of biface industries. This density decreases towards the west. However, this general appearance may have resulted from the insufficient level of excavations and surveys of Palaeolithic archaeology throughout the country. In this article, we try to draw a general framework of the Lower Palaeolithic period in Turkey, based on the important Lower Palaeolithic settlements in the country.     

A review of Turkish saproxylic beetles from the European Red List

The conservation of beetles that depend on dying or dead wood (i.e. saproxylic), has received a great deal of attention in many parts of the world in recent years. Human activities such as urbanization and logging, and their results, e.g. global warming, destroy natural ecosystems and threaten unusual species such as Lucanus cervus (L. 1758), Rosalia alpina (L. 1758), Limoniscus violaceus (Müller 1821) and Osmoderma eremita (Scopoli 1763). Attempts have been made to conserve the habitats upon which these species depend. Although represented by a large number of species, saproxylic beetles in Turkey have not received much attention. Although some Turkish studies have acknowledged their value, comprehensive investigations of these species are very limited. The aim of this study is to make a list, from the literature, of the species that are endangered in Europe and found in Turkey, to highlight the importance of these species. The research includes 151 saproxylic beetle species belonging to the families Bostrichidae, Cerambycidae, Elateridae, Eucnemidae, Scarabaeidae, Euchiridae, Lucanidae and Mycetophagidae. The list of Turkish saproxylic beetles was prepared using the European Red List of Saproxylic Beetles. Information is provided about the IUCN Red List category in Europe, the locations of the species in Turkey, and their global geographic range. We gathered all data about these species from the international literature. Furthermore, we also include in the list certain species whose locations are not specified, but which inhabit Turkey. We obtained their records from some catalogs in Turkey. In addition to the list, we prepared three distribution maps for Turkey. The maps show distribution in Turkey of some species in the Endangered, Vulnerable and Near Threatened categories in the European Red List. It is expected that this study will lead to comprehensive studies on saproxylic beetles from Turkey.     

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.     

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.     

Specific mutations of basal core promoter are associated with chronic liver disease in hepatitis B virus subgenotype D1 prevalent in Turkey

The role of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genetics in the clinical manifestations of infection is being increasingly recognized. Genotype D is one of eight currently recognized major HBV genotypes. The virus is ubiquitous worldwide, but shows different features in different regions. One hundred and ninety‐eight patients with chronic HBV infection were enrolled in this study, 38 of whom had been diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver and/or hepatocellular carcinoma. HBV DNA was isolated from the patients' blood samples and the entire genome and/or the basal core promoter/core promoter region sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete genomes revealed that subgenotype D1 is the most prevalent subgenotype in Turkey, but there was no definite phylogenetic grouping according to geography for isolates from different regions within Turkey, or for isolates in Turkey relative to other parts of the world. Turkish isolates tended to be genetically similar to European and central Asian isolates. Overall, HBV‐infection in Turkey appears to be characterized by early HBeAg seroconversion, a high incidence of the A1896 core promoter mutation and a small viral load. Genotype D characteristic mutations A1757 and T1764/G1766 were found in the BCP region. T1773 was associated with T1764/G1766 and a larger viral load. In conclusion, infection with HBV genotype D in Turkey has a similar clinical outcome to that of Europe and central Asia. Genotypic mutations in genotype D may be linked with disease prognosis in Turkey, but further studies with higher sample numbers and balanced clinical groups are needed to confirm this.     

Insect bacteria and hazelnut pests' biocontrol: the state of the art in Turkey.

Turkey is first among all hazelnut producing countries. However, it lags far behind them in terms of amount harvested per unit area. A main reason for this is that hazelnut has many agricultural pests that can not be effectively controlled. Chemical pesticides utilized to control these pests have hazardous effects on the environment. Increasing problems with resistance of these pests to most commonly used synthetic insecticides have spurred the search for alternative pest management strategies that would reduce reliance on synthetic insecticides. Biological control of hazelnut pests is an alternative control method to chemical pesticides. It is very important ecologically because of production of honey, milk and fish in the surrounding areas of hazelnut fields in Turkey. Several promising bacteriological studies have been made to find some biological control agents against these pests in Turkey. This paper presents a review of the current status of bacteriological studies on biological control of hazelnut pests in Turkey.     

Polygonum istanbulicum Keskin sp. nov. (Polygonaceae) from Turkey

A new Polygonum L. species, P. istanbulicum Keskin, is described from the İstanbul province of Turkey and is compared with other allied species. In addition, an updated list of all Polygonum (s. l.) species recorded from Turkey is provided.     

Secular citizenship and Muslim belonging in Turkey: migrant perspectives

In recent years, academic critique has worked toward exposing the underlying ethno-religious biases in official formulations of secular citizenship in Turkey. While such studies have highlighted the contradictions and inconsistencies that emerge in these grand narratives of national belonging, they have tended to privilege statist determinants of the bounds of nationhood. In this article, I offer an intervention into this discussion by exploring how citizens themselves encounter and embrace religion as a marker of national belonging in Turkey. In particular, I discuss the case of the 1950s Bosniak migration to Turkey and explore the salience of the migratory journey in informing their experiences of secular citizenship and national belonging.     

New records for the Turkish Chrysomelidae fauna (Coleoptera)

Abstract

In this study, four species of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) are recorded for the first time from Turkey. The material is deposited in the Biology Department of the Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey.     

Two remarkable moss species new to Turkey and South-west Asia

Bryum blindii and Dicranella crispa are reported new to Turkey and South-west Asia following a recent bryological excursion to the Ardahan and Burdur regions of Turkey. Illustrations, geographic distribution and comparisons with morphologically similar taxa are given.