Body size and age structure of a highland population of Hyla orientalis BEDRIAGA, 1890, in northern Turkey

WOS: 000321881700005Body size and age structure of a highland population of Hyla orientalis BEDRIAGA, 1890 (77 = 41) from Kantarh, located at about 800 m a.s.l. in the Black Sea Region of Turkey, was studied using skeletochronology. the maximum observed longevity was eight years in females and seven in males. Age at maturity in this population was three years in females and two in males. There was a significant difference in age between males and females (Independent Sample t test, p < 0.05, t = -2.455). A significant positive correlation was found between age and snout-vent-length both in males and females. To demonstrate the role of altitude on age structure and body size of the Kantarh population, the potential effects of the parameters 'duration of activity period' and 'altitude' were analyzed by comparing present data with data available from the literature

Bufo bufo (Anura: Bufoidae)’nın olağan dışı kış aktivitesi

As ectotherms, amphibians in the northern hemisphere are forced into hibernation due to seasonal periods of low temperatures, shorter days or reduced food supplies. Although it has been reported in recent years that some ectothermic animals may be active even in winter due to the effect of global climate change, winter activity records for toads are uncommon. Therefore, we would like to report a winter activity case from north Anatolia, Turkey via the common toad, Bufo bufo. Documenting these unusual winter events not only adds to the biological knowledge of the species, but also provides valuable preliminary evidence for analyzing climate change patterns.Ektotermik canlılardan biri olan amfibiler, kuzey yarımküredeki mevsimsel düşük sıcaklıklar, gündüz süresinin kısalması veya azalan gıda kaynakları nedeniyle kış uykusuna yatmak zorunda kalırlar. Son yıllarda küresel iklim değişikliğinin etkisiyle bazı ektotermik hayvanların kışın bile aktif olabileceği bildirilse de, kara kurbağaları için kış aktivitesi kayıtları nadirdir. Bu nedenle, Kuzey Anadolu,Türkiye'den bir kara kurbağası olan Bufo bufo aracılığıyla bir kış etkinliği vakasını bildirmek istiyoruz. Bu olağandışı kış olaylarını belgelemek, yalnızca türlerin biyolojik bilgisine katkıda bulunmakla kalmaz, aynı zamanda iklim değişikliği modellerini analiz etmek için değerli ön kanıtlar sağlar

The first demographic data and body size of the southern banded newt, <em>Ommatotriton vittatus</em> (Caudata: Salamandridae)

In this study, the age structure and some life history traits were revealed for the first time in a population of Ommatotriton vittatus, living in Tarsus (mid-south part of Turkey), at the western limit of the species’ range. Maximum longevity was recorded to be eight years in both females and males and age at maturity was estimated as three years for males and four years for females. Although mean age did not differ significantly between sexes, males had significantly larger snout-vent length (SVL) than females. Age and body size were positively correlated with each other for both females and males. Since the populations of the Southern Banded Newt in Turkey are in decline, the present study that provides preliminary data on life history traits of this newt could be helpful for future biological studies.

Ova kurbağası, Pelophylax ridibundus'un (Pallas, 1771) bacak tüketiminden elde edilen eser element biyobirikimi ve sağlık riski değerlendirmesi

Amphibians, which can live in aquatic and terrestrial environments, are a good indicator of pollution in these areas. Although frog leg is not consumed frequently in some cuisines, including Turkey, it is important in terms of evaluating metal accumulation since it is preferred as human food in many European countries. In this study, the quantities of trace elements (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, As, Co, Cr, Ni, Mn, V) were measured in the edible tissues (muscles) of an amphibian species by sampling from two frog farms in Turkey. It was aimed to assess possible health hazards for humans by frog legs consumption comparing with the toxicological limit values, including provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and Hazard Index (HI). In general, the average values (mu g kg(-1)) of trace elements were Zn (3.437.62)> Pb (69.22)> Cu (66.72)> Mn (35.07)> As (24.24)> Cr (11.47)> Ni (6.94)> Cd (6.51)> Co (2.97)> V (<0.001). The results indicated that concentrations of the analyzed trace elements were determined below the European Commission's permitted levels and edible tissues of the marsh frog posed no carcinogenic health risk to humans

Age determination and effects of some ecological factors on growth of Bufotes Variabilis populations from Turkey

Türkiye'deki sekiz farklı (Kestanelik, İshakçelebi, Seydiköy, Yeniköy, Yeşilbağlar, Ulubağ, Söğütlü, Liman) Bufotes variabilis (Değişken desenli gece kurbağası) populasyonunda iskelet kronolojisi yöntemi kullanılarak yaş dağılımı, minimum ve maksimum yaşlar, eşeysel olgunluğa ulaşma yaşı, boy ve ağırlık arasındaki ilişki gibi bazı büyüme parametreleri ortaya çıkarılmış ve bunların ekolojik faktörlerle olan ilişkileri Partial Mantel testi ile saptanmıştır. Yapılan istatistiksel analizler sonucunda hem dişilerde hem de erkeklerde yaş, boy ve ağırlık bakımından populasyonlar arasında önemli bir fark olduğu bulunmuştur (One way ANOVA, Yaş: dişi, F= 17,07, p < 0,001; erkek, F = 22,42, p < 0,001; Boy: dişi, F = 21,20, p < 0,001, erkek, F = 31,72, p < 0,05; Ağırlık: dişi, F = 14,47, p < 0,001; erkek, F = 29,56, p < 0,001). Hem erkek hem de dişi bireyler için minimum yaş 2 yıl olarak tespit edilmiştir. Maksimum yaş dişi bireyler için 11, erkek bireyler için ise 10 yıl olup, Seydiköy populasyonunda kaydedilmiştir. Çalışılan populasyonlarda eşeysel olgunluğa erişme yaşı 2-4 yıl arasında değişmektedir. Tüm populasyonların erkek ve dişi bireyleri arasında morfometrik ölçümler açısından eşeysel dimorfizme rastlanmamıştır. İncelenen 8 populasyonun altısında (Kestanelik, İshakçelebi, Seydiköy, Yeniköy, Ulubağ, Liman) dişiler, ikisinde (Yeşilbağlar ve Söğütlü) ise erkekler daha büyük boy ortalamasına sahiptir. Tüm populasyonlarda (Liman populasyonunda yaş-ağırlık ilişkisi hariç) yaş ile boy, yaş ile ağırlık ve boy ile ağırlık arasında kuvvetli bir ilişki bulunmuştur (p < 0,001). İstatistiksel olarak, yükseklik ve sıcaklığın tüm populasyonlardaki bireylerin büyüme oranını ve vücut boyunu etkilediği fakat yaş yapısını etkilemediği sonucuna varılmıştır. Some growth parameters such as age structure, minimum and maximum life span, age at maturity, relationship between body size and mass of the eight different populations (Kestanelik, İshakçelebi, Seydiköy, Yeniköy, Yeşilbağlar, Ulubağ, Söğütlü, Liman) of Bufotes variabilis (Variable toad) were revelead using skeletochronology method and their relationship with ecologic factors were determined by using Partial Mantel test. According to results of the statistical analysis, a significant difference was found among the populations in terms of age, body size and body mass for both females and males (One way ANOVA, age: female, F= 17,07, p < 0,001; male, F = 22,42, p < 0,001; body size: female, F = 21,20, p < 0,001; male, F = 31,72, p < 0,05; mass: female, F =14,47, p < 0,001; male, F = 29,56, p < 0,001). Minimum age was determined as 2 years for both sexes. Maximum life span was 11 years for females and 10 years for males and it was recorded for the Seydiköy populations. In the studied populations, age at maturity was ranged between 2-4 years for both males and females. Sexual dimorphism was not observed between males and females in terms of body size for all populations. In the six (Kestanelik, İshakçelebi, Seydiköy, Yeniköy, Ulubağ, Liman) of the eight studied populations, females were larger than males, and in the other populations (Yeşilbağlar and Söğütlü) males were larger than males. A significant positive correlation was found between age-body size, age-mass and body size-mass for all populations (except, age-mass relation in Liman population). Statistically, it was concluded that altitude and temperature has impact on growth rate and body size but not on age

Life history traits in a population of Hemidacylus turcicus (Turkish gecko)

Ekolojik faktörlerin hayvan populasyonlarının yaşam öyküsü özellikleri üzerinde etkili olduğu birçok çalışmada gösterilmiştir. Bu çalışmada Hemidactylus turcicus (geniş parmaklı keler) türüne ait bir populasyonda yaş, ömür uzunluğu, eşeysel olgunluğa erişme yaşı ve boya bağlı eşeysel dimorfizm gibi bazı yaşam öyküsü özellikleri analiz edilmiştir. Elde edilen sonuçlar, bu populasyonda maksimum ömür uzunluğunun 7 yıl, eşeysel olgunluğa erişme yaşının ise 2-3 yıl olduğunu göstermiştir. Dişi ve erkek bireylerin ortalama yaşları ve boyları arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir fark bulunmamıştır. Hem erkek hem de dişi bireylerin vücut boyları ile yaşları arasında önemli derecede pozitif bir korelasyon bulunmuştur.Many studies have shown that ecological factors influence life story traits of animal populations. In this study, some life history characteristics such as age, longevity, age at maturity and sexual size dimorphism were analyzed in a population of H.turcicus (Turkish gecko). The results have shown that maximum lifespan and age at maturity were 7 and 2-3 years in this population, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between female and male individuals in terms of mean age and body size. A significant positive correlation was found between body size and age in both males and female

Age determination and some growth parameters of hyla arborea (European tree frog) populations inhabited at different localities

Hyla arborea'nın Türkiye'de yaşayan İslampaşa (Rize), Konaklı (Antalya) ve Gelibolu (Çanakkale) populasyonlarına ait 154 bireyin vücut büyüklükleri ölçülmüş ve skeletokronolojik yöntem kullanılarak yaşları tespit edilmiştir. Maksimum yaş hem erkek hem de dişilerde 5 yıl olarak tespit edilmiştir. Eşeysel olgunluğa ulaşma yaşı erkek ve dişilerde 2 yıl olarak tespit edilmiştir. Vücut büyüklüğü erkeklerde 29,96 ? 44,33 mm, dişilerde ise 33,27 ? 47,98 mm arasında değişmekte olup erkeklerin vücut boylarının dişilerden daha küçük olduğu bulunmuştur. Tüm populasyonlarda hem erkek hem de dişilerde vücut boyu ile yaş arasında anlamlı bir ilişki tespit edilmiştir.İncelenen populasyonlarda hem erkek bireylerde hem de dişi bireylerde ortalama SVL bakımından İslampaşa ve Gelibolu populasyonları birbirine benzerken, Konaklı populasyonu diğer populasyonlardan daha küçük ortalamaya sahip olmasıyla farklılık gösterir. Ortalama yaş bakımından dişilerde populasyonlar arasında fark bulunmamasına rağmen erkek bireylerde Gelibolu populasyonu, İslampaşa ve Konaklı populasyonlarından daha yaşlı olmasıyla ayrılır. Ortalama ağırlık bakımından ise hem erkek hem de dişi bireylerde İslampaşa ve Gelibolu populasyonları birbirine benzerlik gösterirken Konaklı populasyonu diğerlerinden daha hafif olmasıyla farklılık gösterir. Body size of Hyla arborea populations from İslampaşa (Rize), Konaklı (Antalya) and Gelibolu (Çanakkale) in Turkey was measured and the age of the 154 frogs were determined using skeletochronological method. Age was determined for individual frogs by counting the number of LAGs in cross-sections taken from phalanges. Single or double (aestivation and hibernation) lines of arrested growth (LAG) per year were determined in the cross sections. Maximum age or longevity was determined as 5 years for both males and females. Age at maturity was estimated 2 years for both males and females. The body length was ranged from 29,96 mm to 44,33 mm in males and 33,27 to 47,98 mm in females, and it was found that body size of males are smaller than those of females. Significant correlation was determined between body size and age in both males and females in all populations.In examined population, while Islampaşa and Gelibolu specimens are similar to each other in terms of SVL in both males and females, Konaklı specimens differ from others by being smaller than those. Although there is not any siginificant difference between ages among populations in females, Gelibolu males differ from others being older than those. According to the mean weight of populations, both males and females of Islampaşa and Gelibolu populations are similar to each other by heavier than Konaklı population

Değişken desenli gece kurbağası, Bufotes variabilis (Pallas, 1769)’in erken aktivasyonu üzerine bir örnek çalışma

Amphibians are one of the most vulnerable group that are directly affected by environmental factors. Researchers report that nearly one third of species threatened with extinction. Amphibians in the temperate zone hibernate in winter season under normal conditions and fluctuations in climate impact indirectly the summer and winter activity of these ectothermic animals. In this study, we report data on the extraordinary activity of Bufotes variabilis in winter period and evaluated that variable toad could be active throughout the year due to global climate changes.Amfibiler, çevresel faktörlerden doğrudan etkilenen en savunmasız gruplardan biridir. Nitekim araştırmacılar, türlerin neredeyse üçte birinin neslinin tükenme tehdidinde olduğunu bildirmişlerdir. Ilıman bölgedeki amfibiler normal şartlar altında kış mevsiminde uykuya yatarlar ve iklimdeki dalgalanmalar bu ektotermik hayvanların yaz ve kış aktivitesini dolaylı olarak etkiler. Bu çalışmada, Bufotes variabilis’in kış mevsiminde olağandışı aktivitesi hakkında bir veri sunuyor ve değişken desenli gece kurbağasının küresel iklim değişikliğinden dolayı yıl boyunca aktif olabileceğini değerlendiriyoruz

Survey for the pathogenic chytrid fungi batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and b. salamandrivorans on the caucasian salamander in northeastern Turkey

Chytridiomycosis is an infectious disease of amphibians caused by either of two aquatic fungal pathogens, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and B. salamandrivorans (Bsal). In this study, we carried out Bd and Bsal screening to determine the presence or absence of these fungal pathogens in seven populations of Caucasian Salamanders (Mertensiella caucasica), which is categorized as Vulnerable on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and whose distribution is limited to the countries of Georgia and Turkey. We collected 70 skin swabs from seven populations in northern Turkey, and analysed them using Real-time PCR (quantitative PCR, qPCR). We did not detect the presence of either fungal pathogen or signs of morbidity or mortality in any of the populations sampled. Moreover, we classified the quality of the streams occupied by the species using criteria established by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Turkey for inland surface waters. We suggest that the apparent absence of both pathogens is related to the habitat selectivity of the species because Caucasian Salamanders inhabit waters that fall into similar categories of quality criteria parameters, including dissolved oxygen, nitrate, and pH. We hope that this preliminary data will contribute to effective protection management of this vulnerable species in the future

Age, growth and survival rate in two populations of Darevskia derjugini (Nikolsky, 1898) from different altitudes (Squamata: Sauria: Lacertidae)

We investigated age structure, age at sexual maturity, lifespan, growth and survival rate and adult life expectancy (as demographic life-history traits) as well as body size of two Darevskia derjugini (Artvin lizard) populations from different altitudes, using skeletochronology. Our findings indicated that age upon attaining sexual maturity was two or three years in the low-altitude population (Findikli) while it was three years in the high-altitude population (Murgul) for both sexes. The maximum longevity was seven years in the high-elevation site while it was six years in the low-elevation site. As reported for many lizards, we found a significant positive relationship between age and body size within each sex of Artvin lizard at both altitudes. High- and low-altitude populations did not differ in age structure, survival rates, adult life expectancy and body size. Rather than the effect of altitude, which is hard to compare without replication of other low and high altitude populations, the fact that these two populations have similar growth rates and the similarity of local conditions (food availability and predator density) may indicate similarity between the two regions. © Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2020