Ali Demirsoy

Distribution and status of the medicinal leech (Hirudo medicinalis L.) in Turkey

A survey of all the major potential habitats in western Turkey showed that medicinal leeches, Hirudo medicinalis L., are widely distributed over the country and are not rare. They occur in practically all suitable habitats and the only region where they were found to be absent is that of the large river deltas in the south of the country (Çukurova deltas, Göksu delta). There may be zoogeographic reasons for this (Taurus mountains barrier). The application of a semi-quantitative survey method using collecting efficiency (number of leeches collected per hour by a single person) allowed a rapid assessment to be made of its status in a large number of wetlands. Leech density varied considerably from wetland to wetland, and the results enabled a ranking of the Turkish wetlands to be made according to their importance for medicinal leeches. Taking both the leech density and the size of leech habitats into account, the largest populations were identified on the Black Sea coast (Kizilirmak delta, Yeşilirmak delta and Karagöl Marshes near Sinop) and in inner and south-west Anatolia (Eber Gölü, Karamik and Sultan Marshes). Commercial exploitation for the pharmaceutical industry and for other purposes takes place at only a few places and does not appear to affect the population seriously. However, many populations are threatened by the draining of their habitats.

Review and key to species of Platycleis from Turkey (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) with descriptions of Yalvaciana subgen. n. and two new species

Species of Platycleis from Turkey are reviewed. Twenty-three species are recorded: Platycleis affinis (Fieber, 1853), P. albopunctata (Goeze, 1778), P. escalerai (Bolívar, 1899), P. intermedia (Serville, 1838), P. incerta Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1882, P. persica Uvarov, 1917, P. ankarensis (Karabaǥ, 1950), P. armeniaca Ramme, 1951, P. elegans (Uvarov, 1934), P. schereri Werner, 1901, P. taurica Bolívar, 1899, P. uvarovi Karabağ, 1950, P. sepium (Yersin, 1854), P. sporadarum (Werner, 1933), P. kurmana (Ramme, 1951), P. melendisensis sp. n., P. sinuata Ramme, 1951, P. salmani sp. n., P. weidneri (Demirsoy, 1974), P. nigrosignata (Costa, 1863), P. tessellata holoptera Ramme, 1951, P. veyseli Koçak, 1984, P. yalvaci (Demirsoy, 1974). Keys to subgenera and species, necessary figures and distribution maps are provided. A new subgenus Yalvaciana subgen. n. is established to include Decorana yalvaci Demirsoy. Two new species, P. salmani sp. n. and P. melendisensis sp. n. are described. Montana bifoveolata Karabağ syn. n. is placed in synonymy with Platycleis schereri Werner. Metrioptera brevipes Uvarov is placed in synonymy with P. sporadarum Werner in subgenus Sporadiana Zeuner. Platycleis (Squamiana) sinuata Ramme, 1951 is transferred from subgenus Platycleis. Song oscillograms from P. armeniaca and P. taurica are presented. Platycleis (Montana) armeniaca Ramme is a new record for Turkey.

Phenology of the medicinal leech, Hirudo medicinalis L., in north-western Turkey

The seasonal occurrence of medicinal leeches was studied at two lakes in the Black Sea coastland of north-western Turkey. The number of leeches attracted by a collector per hour was taken as an indicator for population density. Leeches were most abundant in May/June, and were almost absent during the cold season (November – March). Leeches with a weight of less than 1 g occurred principally between July and October with a peak in July. It is thought that these individuals represent newly hatched leeches. Although both study areas are close to each other, significant differences were found in respect to mean leech size and the seasonal frequency of leeches (both total number and certain age classes). It is suggested that leech biology is greatly dependent on factors such as microclimate and the availability of hosts, and no general conclusions on phenology can be drawn. There is therefore no scientific basis for restricting commercial leech collecting to certain months of the year.

Novadrymadusa, a new genus of bushcricket with a new species and notes on related genera (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae)

Abstract A new genus, Novadrymadusa, and a new species, N. karabagi, are described. A new combination, N. kurda (Uvarov), is established. Together with a key to species in the new genus there is a short account of its geographical distribution and that of related genera.

Some interesting and new records of Cicadellidae (Insecta: Hemiptera) from eastern Turkey

Leafhoppers (Cicadellidae) were collected from Kemaliye, Erzincan province, in eastern Anatolia in 2006 and 2007. One species proved to be new for the country and several records are new for the region, having been previously recorded only in other zoogeographic regions of the country. The specimens were identified by first author, and the material is deposited in the first author’s collection. The study was supported in the framework of Tubitak Project No. CAYDAG-105Y016.