Abidin Budak

Taxonomic notes on the snakes of Northern Cyprus, with observations on their morphologies and ecologies

A total of 66 specimens belonging to eleven snake species, some of which were collected during the fi eld studies of 17-31 July and 3-25 September 2003, and some others which have been previously collected and all have been deposited into the collection of ZDEU (Zoology Dept. Ege University), were evaluated taxonomically. 25 of the specimens belonged to Typhlopidae, 37 to Colubridae, three to Viperidae and one to Boidae. Th ese specimens were evaluated from the points of view of pholidosis, pattern and coloration and morphological measurements. Some biological and ecological information were also given with the brief geological history of eastern Mediterranean region.

A serological comparison of the populations of the Lacerta laevis complex in northern Cyprus and southern Turkey

Abstract The present study compares the blood serum proteins of populations of the Lacerta laevis complex from northern Cyprus and southern Turkey (Adana) by polyacrylamide-disc electrophoresis. There are discernible differences between the electropherograms of blood serum proteins of the two populations. In the light of these differences, it would be appropriate to accept the northern Cyprus population as a distinct species, Lacerta troodica, as suggested previously by BUDAK & GOCMEN (1995).

The Present Status of Mertensiella caucasica (WAGA, 1876) (Urodela: Salamandridae) in Northeastern Anatolia

Mertensiella caucasica specimens, collected from various parts of northeastern Anatolia, are compared statistically and from the point of view of their pattern and coloration. While no significant taxonomic differences were detected between the samples of different populations, the range diagrams, constructed from several body ratios, show a marked difference between the adult males, adult females, sub-adults, juveniles and larvae of the same population.