A NEW LOCALITY RECORD OF Pelias barani (BOHME ET JOGER, 1983) FROM THE NORTHEASTERN ANATOLIA

gul, serkan/0000-0002-0372-7462;WOS: 000390581500013Two female individuals of Baran's Adder species Pelias barani were recorded in Tektas village of Pazar, Rize (Turkey). These individuals were compared with other samples in the literature, and introduced them size and scalation, color patterns, habitat structures, threats and conservation situations in this paper

Potential distribution under different climatic scenarios of climate change of the vulnerable Caucasian salamander (Mertensiella caucasica): A case study of the Caucasus Hotspot

gul, serkan/0000-0002-0372-7462;WOS: 000429144600008Amphibians are strongly affected by climate change like many vertebrate animals. To address this problematic situation, we examined the potential effect of climate change on the distribution of Mertensiella caucasica (Waga, 1876) that is the best known species in Caucasus hotspot using future distribution modelling (average for 2041-2060 and 2061-2080) under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 emission scenarios. According to our model, the future distribution showed a remarkable expansion towards the northwest part of the Greater Caucasus whereas it indicated a regression from the West of the western Lesser Caucasus up to the Greater Caucasus. Our results indicated that most habitat loss seems to occur in the West Lesser Caucasus including the northeast of Turkey and the East Lesser Caucasus. Moreover, habitat suitability for M. caucasica showed trends towards local extinction in the future. in the Caucasus hotspot, the expected distribution range of M. caucasica will decrease with the risk of local extinction. Therefore, we recommend that its status in IUCN Red List should be reconsidered again.Research Fund of the Recep Tayyip Erdogan University [FKG-2016-528]This work was supported by Research Fund of the Recep Tayyip Erdogan University [grant number FKG-2016-528]. We would like to thank the anonymous referee's constructive comments

New record of the rare Vipera barani BOHME & JOGER, 1983

WOS: 00031466860001

PREDICTED DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS OF Pelias kaznakovi (NIKOLSKY, 1909) IN THE CAUCASUS HOTSPOT WITH A NEW LOCALITY RECORD FROM TURKEY

gul, serkan/0000-0002-0372-7462WOS: 000388317300005We represent climatic preferences of Pelias kaznakovi, which is a Caucasus endemic viper species together with a new locality record. Male P. kaznakovi specimen has morphological similarities in terms of pholidosis characters and color and pattern like other specimens in the literature. According to species distribution modeling, bioclimatic variables as of precipitation of driest month appear to have the most useful information on geographic distribution of P. kaznakovi. Distribution model of P. kaznakovi under current climatic conditions showed better adaptation to the northwest of the Caucasus hotspot

Age structure and body size in three populations of Darevskia rudis (BEDRIAGA, 1886) from different altitudes

gul, serkan/0000-0002-0372-7462;WOS: 000330605300004Darevskia rudis (BEDRIAGA, 1886) occupies a wide range of altitudes in the Black Sea region of Turkey. A total of 62 individuals of this lizard from three populations/locations at different altitudes (Province of Artvin: Ardanuc, 2137 m a.s.l., Borcka, 1277 m a.s.I., Cermik, 700 m a.s.I.) were studied for body size and age using skeletochronology. in both sexes, mean body size and age were smaller/lower in the highest altitude population than in the lower altitude populations. A significant positive correlation was found between age and snout-vent length in the females of the high altitude populations, however, not for Cermik females and the males of all three populations. Sexual size dimorphism was male-biased in the lowest (Cermik) population, but female-biased in the higher altitude (Borcka and Ardanuc) populations. the skeletochronological analyses revealed distinct differences in body size and age structure between low and high altitude populations of D. rudis

Electrophoretic comparison of blood-serum proteins of Apathya cappadocica (Sauria, Lacertidae) subspecies from Anatolia

WOS: 000286480300007Blood-serum proteins of the known subspecies of Apathya cappadocica (Werner, 1902) were studied comparatively by polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis. In order to obtain useful biochemical data for classification, differences between the electrophoreograms of the samples included in the morphologically different subspecies were distinguished qualitatively and quantitatively. These comparisons indicated that electrophoretic results supported morphological discrimination of the known subspecies of A. cappadocica.TUBITAK (The Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [TBAG-104T017]This work forms part of a Project (Project No. TBAG-104T017) supported by TUBITAK (The Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey)

Age structure and growth pattern in an east Anatolian high altitude population of Iranolacerta brandtii (DE FILIPPI, 1863)

gul, serkan/0000-0002-0372-7462WOS: 000406986400001Information on age structure and growth of Iranolacerta brandtii (DE FILIPPI, 1863), is presented for a high altitude (2,363 m a.s.l.) population from Karadulda Village, District of Calchran, Province of Van, east Anatolia (Turkey). Twenty-three specimens (19 males and four females) were studied using skeletochronological methods. the age ranged from three to six years in males, and from four to five in females, this difference being not statistically significant in the sample studied. Age at sexual maturity was two to three years for both male and female individuals. the mean SVL was significantly (p = 0.029) greater in females (64.27 +/- 1.42 mm) than males (58.41 +/- 1.17 mm)