The evolution of the Aristolochia pallida complex (Aristolochiaceae) challenges traditional taxonomy and reflects large-scale glacial refugia in the Mediterranean

The taxonomy of the Mediterranean Aristolochia pallida complex has been under debate since several decades with the following species currently recognized: A. pallida, A. lutea, A. nardiana, A. microstoma, A. merxmuelleri, A. croatica, and A. castellana. These taxa are distributed from Iberia to Turkey. To reconstruct phylogenetic and biogeographic patterns, we employed cpDNA sequence variation using both noncoding (intron and spacer) and protein-coding regions (i.e., trnK intron, matK gene, and trnK-psbA spacer). Our results show that the morphology-based traditional taxonomy was not corroborated by our phylogenetic analyses. Aristolochia pallida, A. lutea, A. nardiana, and A. microstoma were not monophyletic. Instead, strong geographic signals were detected. Two major clades, one exclusively occurring in Greece and a second one of pan-Mediterranean distribution, were found. Several subclades distributed in Greece, NW Turkey, Italy, as well as amphi-Adriatic subclades, and a subgroup of southern France and Spain, were revealed. The distribution areas of these groups are in close vicinity to hypothesized glacial refugia areas in the Mediterranean. According to molecular clock analyses the diversification of this complex started around 3–3.3 my, before the onset of glaciation cycles, and the further evolution of and within major lineages falls into the Pleistocene. Based on these data, we conclude that the Aristolochia pallida alliance survived in different Mediterranean refugia rarely with low, but often with a high potential for range extension, and a high degree of morphological diversity.Turkish Science Foundatio

Science teachers' pedagogical content knowledge development during enactment of socioscientific curriculum materials

The purpose of this study is to provide insight into short‐term professionalization of teachers regarding teaching socioscientific issues (SSI). The study aimed to capture the development of science teachers' pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) for SSI teaching by enacting specially designed SSI curriculum materials. The study also explores indicators of stronger and weaker development of PCK for SSI teaching. Thirty teachers from four countries (Cyprus, Israel, Norway, and Spain) used one module (30-60 min lesson) of SSI materials. The data were collected through: (a) lesson preparation form (PCK‐before), (b) lesson reflection form (PCK‐after), (c) lesson observation table (PCK‐in‐action). The data analysis was based on the PCK model of Magnusson, Krajcik, and Borko (1999). Strong development of PCK for SSI teaching includes 'Strong interconnections between the PCK components,' 'Understanding of students'difficulties in SSI learning,' 'Suggesting appropriate instructional strategies,' and 'Focusing equally on science content and SSI skills.' Our findings point to the importance of these aspects of PCK development for SSI teaching. We argue that when professional development programs and curriculum materials focus on developing these aspects, they will contribute to strong PCK development for SSI teaching. The findings regarding the development in the components of PCK for SSI provide compelling evidence that science teachers can develop aspects of their PCK for SSI with the use of a single module. Most of the teachers developed their knowledge about students' understanding of science and instructional strategies. The recognition of student difficulties made the teacher consider specific teaching strategies which are in line with the learning objectives. There is an evident link between the development of PCK in instructional strategies and students' understanding of science for SSI teaching

Copula-based probabilistic assessment of intensity and duration of cold episodes: A case study of Malayer vineyard region

Frost, particularly during the spring, is one of the most damaging weather phenomena for vineyards, causing significant economic losses to vineyards around the world each year. The risk of tardive frost damage in vine-yards due to changing climate is considered as an important threat to the sustainable production of grapes. Therefore, the cold monitoring strategies is one of the criteria with significant impacts on the yields and prosperity of horticulture and raisin factories. Frost events can be characterized by duration and severity. This paper investigates the risk and impacts of frost phenomenon in the vineyards by modeling the joint distribution of duration and severity factors and analyzing the influential parameter’s dependency structure using capabilities of copula functions. A novel mathematical framework is developed within this study to understand the risk and uncertainties associate with frost events and the impacts on yields of vineyards by analyzing the non-linear dependency structure using copula functions as an efficient tool. The developed model was successfully vali-dated for the case study of vineyard in Malayer city of Iran. The copula model developed in this study was shown to be a robust tool for predicting the return period of the frost events

International collaborative follow - up investigation of graduating high school students’ understandings of the nature of scientific inquiry: is progress Being made?

Understandings of the nature of scientific inquiry (NOSI), as opposed to engaging students in inquiry learning experiences, are included in science education reform documents around the world. However, little is known about what students have learned about NOSI during their pre-college school years. The purpose of this large-scale follow-up international project (i.e. 32 countries and regions, spanning six continents and including 3917 students for the high school sample) was to collect data on what exiting high school students have learned about NOSI. Additionally, the study investigated changes in 12th grade students’ NOSI understandings compared to seventh grade (i.e. 20 countries and regions) students’ understandings from a prior investigation [Lederman et al. (2019). An international collaborative investigation of beginning seventh grade students’ understandings of scientific inquiry: Establishing a baseline. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 56(4), 486–515. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.21512]. This study documents and discusses graduating high school students’ understandings and compares their understandings to seventh grade students’ understandings of the same aspects of scientific inquiry for each country. It is important to note that collecting data from each of the 130+ countries globally was not feasible. Similarly, it was not possible to collect data from every region of each country. A concerted effort was made, however, to provide a relatively representative picture of each country and the world

Morphological and serological investigations Bufo viridis (Anura: Bufonidae) populations in the West and South Anatolia [Bati ve güney anadolu Bufo viridis (Anura: Bufonidae) populasyonlarinin Morfolojik ve Serolojik Yönden İncelenmesi]

In this investigation, morphological and serological studies are conducted on a total of 120(56>>64++) specimens from West and South Anatolian Bufo viridis populations. Statistical evaluation of morphometric measurements and ratios show that total body lengths of Adana samples are greater, their rostrums are more obtuse and shorter, their thumbs thicker and their inter orbital distances narrower than those of the Izmir samples. While there are some similarities between the pattern and coloration characteristics of the populations belonging to the two regions, in Adana samples dorsum is generally yellowish green, with almost same colored maculations. So that it is usually impossible to discern the pattern, also the presence of a vertebral stripe is more frequent with respect to the Izmir samples. By polycrylamide disk electrophoresis, blood serum proteins could be separated in to 8 main fractions or fraction groups in all of the samples. The qualitative comparison of the serum proteins established that the Adana samples are different from the Izmir samples in their albumin and some globulin (G3 and G5) fractions. In 55% of the adana samples a prealbümin fraction is present, while in Izmir samples the some rations 29%. Quantitative comparison of the blood serums from the two regions also demostrated statistically significant differences both in albumin fraction and albumin/globulin ratios. While the B.viridis populations inhabiting West and South Anatolian regions are more or less similar morphometrically and biometrically, some statistically significant differences exist between them; furthermore the establishment of some serological differences indicate that the B. viridis population from the southern region may be accepted as belonging to the arabicus form

A serological investigation of Pelodytes caucasicus and Pelobates syriacus (Amphibia, Anura) populations in Turkey

Blood serum proteins of specimens belonging to Pelodytes caucasicus and Pelobates syriacus populations were compared qualitatively and quantitively by means of polyacrylamide disc electrophoresis and densitometry methods. It was determined that the blood serum proteins of both populations demonstrated qualitative and quantitive differences. This result supports the morphological and osteological studies emphasizing the fact that the genus Pelodytes needs to be treated as a separate family (Pelodytidae). © TÜBİTAK

Morphological and osteological comparisons of Bufo viridis (Amphibia: Anura) populations of reşadiye (Datça) Peninsula and Komotini (Greece)

In this study, Bufo viridis populations of Reşadiye (Datça) Peninsula and Komotini have been compared with respect to pattern and coloration specifications, morphometric measurements and ratios, and osteological characteristics. The purpose of the study is investigated morphologically in detail, comparing the above-mentioned populations. We believe that Bufo viridis populations distributed Southwestern Turkey and Northeastern Greece are not mutually distinguishable in view of the characteristics compared, and that these populations should be included in the form viridis, considering their distribution in conformity with literature data

A new subspecies, Ablepharus kitaibelii (Bibron & Borry, 1833) budaki n. ssp. (Sauria: Scincidae) from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

A new subspecies, Ablepharus kitaibelii budaki n. spp. that is distinguished from previously described subspecies, is recognized. Designation of A. k. budaki as a new subspecies, separate from the other subspecies, is based on the following characteristics: (a) the ventral side colouration of the trunk and tail, (b) the number of the vertical rows of scales between the masseteric and ear opening and (c) the size of the ear openings. Moreover, it is pointed out that the population of A. kitaibelii and especially the taxonomical status of A. k. chernovi in Turkey should be considered again

First record of the leopard gecko Eublepharis angramainyu (Reptilia : Sauria : Eublepharidae) from Anatolia

WOS: 00017809260000