Some morphological characteristics and neonatal weights of reintroduced gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) in Turkey

The aim of this study was to determine birth weights, body measurements, and phenotypic correlations in order to characterize the gazelle population raised in Sanliurfa Province, Turkey. For this purpose, body measurements of 93 adult gazelles (54 female, 39 male) and 41 young gazelles (17 female, 24 male) were carried out, and correlations between the measurements were calculated. Additionally, birth weights of 47 newborn gazelle calves (22 female, 25 male) were determined. Mean body weights of adult and young females and males were 13.86 +/- 0.76 kg and 19.39 +/- 0.92 kg (P < 0.001) and 8.83 +/- 0.14 kg and 10.74 +/- 0.17 kg (P < 0.01), respectively. In all groups highly positive correlations between body weight and chest circumference were detected. Birth weights of female and male newborn calves were found to be 1.84 +/- 0.02 kg and 1.95 +/- 0.04 kg, respectively. Differences in birth weights of female and male newborn calves were not statistically significant. The results indicated that the gazelles reared in Turkey were similar to both G. s. subgutturosa and G. s. marica. In order to develop an efficient conservation program, further genetic studies are required for determining the taxonomical status of the gazelle population studied

Identification of Prime Butterfly Areas in Turkey using systematic conservation planning: Challenges and opportunities

Butterflies are among the most sensitive groups to environmental changes and are prime subjects for many conservation studies. It is essential to conserve butterflies through identifying important sites, namely "Prime Butterfly Areas" (PBAs). Using distribution data of 358 butterfly species, we have identified 65 PBAs in Turkey. Selection of important sites for a single taxon is generally performed using a scoring based system, yet in this study we have adopted Systematic Conservation Planning (SCP) approach. The efficiency of SCP approach, the explicit site prioritization process it provides, and the presence of an established SCP system in Turkey has led to this decision. However, regardless of the system used, to secure effective implementation, conceptual and operational subjects should be considered simultaneously. In majority of the cases, the emphasis is given to the methodological details of conservation assessments and effective tools for implementation are not produced. Therefore, while determining PBAs, rather than following the SCP procedure in a strict manner, we have incorporated elements of other site selection approaches into our study for the adoption and use of the outputs by stakeholders. With this study, we discussed how different stages of the PBA identification process (e.g. setting conservation targets, scoring species, determining the initial and optimal site sets and prioritization) should be handled to ensure implementation. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Butterflies are among the most sensitive groups to environmental changes and are prime subjects for many conservation studies. It is essential to conserve butterflies through identifying important sites, namely “Prime Butterfly Areas” (PBAs). Using distribution data of 358 butterfly species, we have identified 65 PBAs in Turkey. Selection of important sites for a single taxon is generally performed using a scoring based system, yet in this study we have adopted Systematic Conservation Planning (SCP) approach. The efficiency of SCP approach, the explicit site prioritization process it provides, and the presence of an established SCP system in Turkey has led to this decision. However, regardless of the system used, to secure effective implementation, conceptual and operational subjects should be considered simultaneously. In majority of the cases, the emphasis is given to the methodological details of conservation assessments and effective tools for implementation are not produced. Therefore, while determining PBAs, rather than following the SCP procedure in a strict manner, we have incorporated elements of other site selection approaches into our study for the adoption and use of the outputs by stakeholders. With this study, we discussed how different stages of the PBA identification process (e.g. setting conservation targets, scoring species, determining the initial and optimal site sets and prioritization) should be handled to ensure implementation