Patterns of distribution of tree frogs in Turkey based on molecular data

Despite previous work on the phylogeny of Palearctic Hyla, several problems still exist regarding systematics of Hyla in Turkey. The systematics of tree frogs (Hyla orientalis and Hyla savignyi) in Turkey was studied using combined mitochondrial genes (12S ribosomal RNA and cytochrome b) and a nuclear gene (H3), and sampling a total of 102 individuals from 51 localities. We find that Hyla orientalis is represented by a single lineage, whereas Hyla savignyi was divided into two lineages by the mitochondrial genes, but not the nuclear gene. We also confirm that Hyla arborea schelkownikowi is a junior synonym of Hyla orientalis. © 2012 Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden

A skeletochronological study of age, growth and longevity of Rana macrocnemis populations from four locations at different altitudes in Turkey

We examined life-history traits such as population age structure, growth and longevity of Iranian Long-Legged frogs (Rana macrocnemis) from 4 different locations at different altitudes in Turkey by skeletochronology performed on the phalanges. The maximum lifespan was 5 years in Maçka (350 m a.s.l.), 6 years in Hidirnebi (1430 m a.s.l.), 8 years in Sarikamiş (2276 m a.s.l.) and 10 years in Ovit (2850 m a.s.l.). Age at sexual maturity of both males and females was 2-3 years in the Maçka, Hidirnebi and Sarikamiş populations, while 3-4 years for males and 3-5 years for females in the Ovit population. In all populations, males and females did not exhibit any differences in terms of mean age and SVL except for Sarikamis where the males were significantly larger than the females. A positive correlation was observed between age and SVL for both sexes in all populations except for the males of the Maçka population. © 2011 BRILL

Body size and age structure of Pelophylax ridibundus populations from two different altitudes in Turkey

We estimated differences in body size and age structure of two populations of Pelophylax ridibundus living at different altitudes in Turkey, one from Dörtyol (6 m a.s.l.) and the other from Karagöl (1480 m a.s.l.). Their age structure was determined by skeletochronology performed on the LAGs (lines of arrested growth) of the phalanges. While ages ranged from 2 to 8 years for males and from 2 to 7 years for females in Karagöl, in Dörtyol the ages ranged from 4 to 11 years for males, and 3 to 7 years for females. Sexual size dimorphism was only found in the Dörtyol population. Larger females tend to be found in hotter climates (Dörtyol) but reach maturity later (3-4 years) than the highland population (2 years). A significant relationship between age and snout-vent length (SVL) was found for both sexes and populations with the exception of females in Dörtyol. © 2011 Brill Academic Publishers