Ertan Taşkavak

Range extension of three lessepsian migrant fish (Fistularia commersoni, Sphyraena flavicauda, Lagocephalus suezensis) in the Mediterranean Sea

Two Red Sea immigrant fish species, Fistularia commersoni (Fistularidae) and Sphyraena flavicauda (Sphyraenidae), are reported for the first time from the Anatolian coast (Turkey) and for the second time from the Mediterranean Sea. Occurrence of Lagocephalus suezensis (Tetraodontidae) at the southern Turkish coast is substantiated and a new record of this species in the Aegean Sea is presented.

Length-weight relationships for 18 Lessepsian (Red Sea) immigrant fish species from the eastern Mediterranean coast of Turkey

Length–weight relationships were estimated for 18 Red Sea immigrant fish species from the eastern Mediterranean coasts of Turkey. The values of the exponent b in the length–weight regression ( W =  aL b ) ranged between 2·482 and 3·355. The median value was 3·018 and 50% of the values ranged between 2·835 and 3·121.

New records of Bregmaceros atlanticus (Bregmacerotidae), Echiodon dentatus (Carapidae) and Nemichthys scolapaceus (Nemichthyidae) from the Aegean Sea

Three fish species, Bregmaceros atlanticus Goode et Bean, 1886 (Bregmacerotidae), Echiodon dentatus (Cuvier, 1829) (Carapidae), and Nemichthys scolopaceus Richardson, 1848 (Nemichthyidae) were recorded in the Sigacik and Kusadasi Bays (Eastern Aegean Sea, Turkey). B. atlanticus and E. dentatus constitute new records for the Turkish waters and the Aegean Sea, respectively. The finding of Nemichthys scolopaceus is the second record for the Aegean Sea.

Conservation Status of the Euphrates Softshell Turtle, Rafetus euphraticus, in Iran

Abstract The Euphrates softshell turtle, Rafetus euphraticus, is one of the least known species of the Trionychidae. It is found only in the Euphrates and Tigris rivers and their tributaries in Iran, Turkey, Syria, and Iraq. Its range in Iran is limited to Khuzestan Province. In the course of this study (February 2002–June 2005), 16 visits were made to habitats of the species along the Karkheh, Dez, and Karoon rivers and their tributaries in Khuzestan. During these visits 25 specimens were observed and habitat characteristics and threat factors were recorded. Habitat destruction, pollution, and fisheries interactions (intentional killing) are the main threats to the survival of this species in Iran.

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).

Some observations on the habitat of the Red Sea Immigrant Sweeper, Pempheris vanicolensis, on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey

Abstract A Lessepsian migrant fish species, Pempheris vanicolensis, was observed to occur in a brackish water cave on the shore near Antalya in conditions contrary to its documented habitat specialties in the Mediterranean Sea.

AN INVESTIGATION OF GROWTH PARAMETERS AND OTOLITH—TOTAL LENGTH RELATIONSHIP OF SOLEA SOLEA (L., 1758) (PISCES: SOLEIDAE) IN IZMIR BAY

ABSTRACT The relationships of length—weight and age, and otolith length—total length in Solea solea were examined. The length and age of wild-caught specimens were compared with the length and age calculated theoretically, together with the results from the back-calculated lengths-at-age. Five different groups of total length were designated, and otolith lengths were compared with each of them. Similarly, the same parameters were utilized to determine sexual differences. As a result, it was observed that age and length groups of wild-caught specimens agree with the age and length groups calculated theoretically. Each otolith length group conforming to total length groups was distributed homogeneously, whereas the differences between them were statistically significant.

A taxonomic comparison of the Hardun, Laudakia stellio (Reptilia, Agamidae), populations of southern Turkey (Hatay) and Cyprus

Abstract The Laudakia stellio population in the Hatay region, on the southeast Mediterranean strip of Turkey, was investigated in detail by mapping morphometric and meristic characters as well as colour and pattern features. On the basis of the morphometric characters present in the population sample examined, we conclude that the Hatay population should be included in the subspecies Laudakia stellio stellio. Comparison of the Hatay population with L. s. cypriaca from Cyprus showed that these two populations represent two separate subspecies.

General characteristics of the Turkish marine ichthyofauna

Abstract The general characteristics of the Turkish marine ichthyofauna are presented with respect to local conditions of abundance, habitat, depth range, feeding habits, size, geographic distribution and commercial importance. A statistical analysis was carried out for the 400 fish species belonging to 119 families. The Turkish marine ichthyofauna is characterized by a large proportion of common, medium sized species of Atlanto-Mediterranean origin inhabiting benthic soft substrates between 0–250 m in depth, feeding mainly on invertebrates.

Cranial morphology of Rafetus euphraticus (Daudin, 1801) from Southeastern Anatolia

Observations on cranial morphology were made on Euphrates soft-shelled turtles, Rafetus euphraticus, sampled in the Euphrates and Tigris rivers and tributaries, Southeastern Anatolia. The vomer separates the maxillaries in half of the specimens, whereas the maxillae meet on the vomer in others. The parietal has no contribution in the formation of the foramen nervi trigemini due to the contact between the prootic and the epipterygoid. There are variations in the contacts of the basisphenoid and in the formation of the trigeminal region, a prootic-epipterygoid contact participates in the trigeminal region. The contacts of the vomer-pterygoid, the vomer-basisphenoid and the vomer-pterygoid-basisphenoid are observed in some specimens. In one specimen, the parietal contacts the opisthotic. All specimens have the symphyseal ridge, althought it is weak and barely discernible.