Population size and structure of the African Softshell Turtle, Trionyx triunguis, in Dalaman, southwestern Turkey

WOS: 000406791900004We assessed the size of the population of the African Softshell Turtle, Trionyx triunguis, in Dalaman (Mugla, Turkey), which is considered to be the largest population of the species in the Mediterranean, by using the Jolly-Seber mark-recapture method. A total of 415 individuals were caught during the summer months of 2009 to 2011, of which 148 were recaptures. From 267 marked individuals, 148 (55%) were male, 69 (26%) were female and 50 (19%) were juveniles and subadults of indeterminate sex. The male: female ratio was calculated to be 2.14:1. By using Model A' of the Jolly-Seber mark-recapture method, which includes deaths but no immigration, the mean population size in Kukurt and Kucukdalyan (Kargin) lakes, together with Tersakan and Taslicay creeks, were estimated to be 396 +/- 36. Based on this estimation, the population density was calculated to be 14 turtles/ha. Approximately 67.4 % of the estimated population was marked. The mean capture probability (p) and mean survival ratio (Phi) were 0.094 +/- 0.009 and 0.957 +/- 0.076, respectively. Our results showed that the species' population size is larger than previously estimated based on visual counts. The status "Vulnerable" C2a of the IUCN Red Data Book categories seems therefore more appropriate for the Mediterranean subpopulation of Trionyx triunguis than "Endangered" C2a.Ege University Funding Organization [07SUF005]This work was supported by the Ege University Funding Organization under Grant 07SUF005, and it was approved by the Local Commission on the Ethical Use of Laboratory Animals of Ege University. This study is part of the PhD thesis of Salim Can Akcinar

FIRST RECORD OF PIGNOSED ARROWTOOTH EEL, DYSOMMA BREVIROSTRE (ACTINOPTERYGII: ANGUILLIFORMES: SYNAPHOBRANCHIDAE), FROM THE AEGEAN SEA

WOS: 000267810500010In 2008, a specimen of a pignosed arrowtooth eel, Dysomma brevirostre (Facciola, 1887), was caught by a bottom trawling operation at Sigacik Bay (Aegean Sea), Turkey. Total length (TL) and weight of the fish were 23.2 cm and 2.00 g, respectively. This study reports the first record of D. brevirostre from the Aegean Sea and logs a new species for the Turkish Ichthyofauna

Length-Weight Relationship of Fish from Shallow Waters of Candarli Bay (North Aegean Sea, Turkey)

WOS: 000278433800021Length- weight relationships were calculated for 22 fish species caught from Candarli Bay in the north Aegean Sea, Turkey. Between December 2006 and January 2008 beach seine net was use to capture Specimens and sampling was made in vegetated and sandy bottoms at the depths up to 1.5 m. A total of 2605 fish specimens were weighed and measured. The sample size ranged from 4 for Symphodus cinereus, Symphodus doderleini to 1558 for Atherina boyeri. The values of exponent b in the length-weight regressions (W=aL(b)) varied between 1.93 (Belone belone) and 3.475 (Symphodus ocellatus). Linear regressions of length-weight relationships were significant for all species. The length-weight relationships given here for Symphodus doderleini, Symphodus cinereus, Symphodus ocellatus and Pomatoschictus minutus were the first time for the north Aegean Sea.Ege UniversityEge University [2006 SUF 017]The material used in this study was gathered in the frame of the "Determination of the Fishes Species in The Coasts of Akmermer Bay (Yenisakran) and Haciahmetaga Bay (Caltidere)" project (Project No: 2006 SUF 017), financially funded by Ege University. We are grateful to the project staff

Demodex spp. as a possible aetiopathogenic factor of acne and relation with acne severity and type

Introduction: Acne is a very common skin disease in adolescents and young adults, but it also affects adults. However, its aetiology is not yet fully understood. Demodex appears to be associated with multiple skin disorders, but controversy persists. Some reports indicate a connection between acne vulgaris and demodicosis. Aim: To confirm the association between Demodex infestation and acne vulgaris. Material and methods: A total of 108 patients were enrolled in the acne group. Acne severity was calculated as GASS and acne type (adolescent and post adolescent) was recorded. An age-sex matched healthy control group comprising 65 individuals were included in the study. Dermatological examinations were performed and an SSSB was used to determine the presence of Demodex. Results: In our study, Demodex positivity was seen in 46 (42.6\%) patients in the acne group and 8 (12.3\%) in the control group; this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). A multivariate Backward Step-By-Step Logistic Regression analysis identified the most effective factors for acne development such as Demodex positivity (OR = 5.565, 95\% CI: 2.384-12.99 and p < 0.001) and age under 25 years (OR = 2.3 and 95\% CI: 1.183-4.473 and p = 0.014). Alcohol consumption was related to Demodex positivity (p = 0.019) in post adolescent acne. Conclusions: Our study is the first one to evaluate acne severity, acne type and the relationship to Demodex prevalence. We suggest that Demodex infestation should be considered when the classical therapies are ineffective especially in cases of post adolescent acne

The occurrence of the Cadenat’s rockfish, Scorpaena loppei (Actinopterygii: Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae), in the eastern Aegean Sea

One specimen of the Cadenat’s rockfish,Scorpaena loppeiCadenat, 1943 (Scorpeanidae), was caught off Marmaris (eastern Aegean Sea, Turkey) on 27 December 2008 by bottom trawl net. The specimen was 56.15 mm total length. S. loppei is evidently rare in the Aegean Sea than it is in the western Mediterranean