Naime Arslan

A general review of parasitic Annelida (Hirudinea) recorded from different habitats and hosts in Turkey

To date, parasitic leech species have not been intensively studied in Turkey, and studies on the leeches of Turkey have concentrated primarily on lakes. According to literature data, a total of 13 parasitic leech species (3 species from marine fi sh, 8 species from freshwater fi sh, 1 species from brackish water fi sh, and 1 species from aquarium fi sh) have been recorded in diff erent parts of Turkey. Interest in this group has increased during the last 2 decades, but a large part of the Turkish freshwater habitats remains to be studied with regard to the parasitic leech species. In this study, information is given on the distribution of the leech species that have been previously recorded. Th e collected data show that the freshwater parasitic leech fauna of Turkey is composed of cosmopolitan or widely distributed species.

Metal contents in water, sediment, and Oligochaeta-Chironomidae of Lake Uluabat, a Ramsar site of Turkey.

Samples of lake water and sediment, and sediment and two dominant zoobenthic taxa (Oligochaeta: Potamothrix hammoniensis and Chironomidae: Chironomus [Camptochironomus] tentans larvae), were collected from 12 stations in Lake Uluabat and examined from the metal level point of view (cadmium, chromium, lead, copper, nickel, and zinc). Our results showed that the occurence of metals in water, sediment, and the two zoobenthic taxa are relatively high. The opinion that supports the results of Lake Uluabat shows that certain species of oligochaetes and chironomids accumulate examined metals several times over compared to their surroundings. Therefore, it is concluded that the oligochaetes and the chironomids are suitable candidates to be used in biomonitoring surveys of Lake Uluabat.

Early antioxidative defence responses in the aquatic worms (Limnodrilus sp.) in Porsuk Creek in Eskisehir (Turkey).

Certain oligochaeta specimens have been universally applied as bioindicators to reflect the organic and inorganic pollution in rivers and play a major role in the decomposition of pollutants. The aim of this study was to investigate the water quality in Porsuk Creek in Eskisehir (Turkey) through the specimens from two different species that belong to Limnodrilus genus, using their biomonitoring compatibilities for the accumulated trace element concentrations and to describe the applicability of antioxidative systems as biomarkers of pollution in Tubificinae. Therefore, some parameters that serve as biomarkers for antioxidative defence, total protein, glutathione (GSH) contents and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities, were determined in Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri and Limnodrilus udekemianus. The study was completed with the chemical analysis of the trace elements from these specimens and also from the water samples. As a conclusion, the observed elevation in GSH levels and GST activities reflect the contribution of oxidative stress in toxicity mechanisms due to the accumulation of trace elements, and the study also suggests a general induction of detoxification metabolisms in the presence of several pollutants in benthic sediment–dwelling worms. According to the average value, the trace element levels for two species are as follows: Fe > Al > Zn > Mn > Pb > Cu > Ni > B > Cd = Cr = Hg. As Porsuk Creek is used for many purposes, such as irrigation, drinking water and fish production, discharges of all types of wastes should be under stringent control to avoid the unwanted health effects to its habitants and to humans.

Aquatic Oligochaeta (Annelida) of Balıkdamı wetland (Turkey), with description of two new species of Phallodrilinae

The Balıkdamı Wetland, an impoundment of the upper course of the Sakarya River located near Sivrihisar (Eskişehir, Central Anatolia), is one of the most important bird conservation areas in Turkey. This area also encompasses the mouth of the torrential Göksu Stream, which is partly hyporheic. During this study (2001–2003), 1,471 specimens representing 34 taxa of aquatic Oligochaeta were collected from the Balıkdamı Wetland. All the species identified are new records for Balıkdamı. Two species, Coralliodrilus amissus sp. n. and Gianius anatolicus sp. n., are new to science, and five species, Stylodrilus parvus (Hrabě et Černosvitov, 1927), Chaetogaster diastrophus (Gruithuisen, 1828), Peipsidrilus libanus (Giani et al., 1982), Tubifex acuticularis Martinez-Ansemil et Giani, 1983, and Epirodrilus moubayedi Giani et Martinez-Ansemil, 1983, are new records for Turkey. Two other species, Peipsidrilus libanus and Tubifex acuticularis, are re-described. The oligochaete fauna of the wetland was dominated by widely distributed tubificid taxa. The lumbriculid Stylodrilus parvus was the most abundant species in the Göksu stream. The two new phallodriline species are remarkable since most representatives of this subfamily live in the marine environment. Due to the species richness and diversity of Oligochaeta, as well as of several other animal groups, the Balıkdamı wetland area deserves conservation.

Accumulation of heavy metals by earthworms in boron-contaminated area (Kırka-Eskişehir): (Oligochaeta: Lumbricidae)

Abstract Boron is a naturally occurring material and is used in domestic and industrial products. Kırka region possesses the largest boron deposits not only in Turkey but also in the world. Even though boron is an essential nutrient for plants and an essential element for many organisms, certain concentrations can be toxic to aquatic and terrestrial organisms. This paper investigates the concentration of boron in soil and an earthworm (Eiseniella tetraedra) collected from five sampling sites at different times during the year 2008 from surrounding areas of the Kırka county of Eskişehir. Because the adsorption of borates into soils is controlled by the presence of aluminum and iron, earthworms and soil were also analyzed for aluminum and iron. Our results show that earthworm samples accumulated more boron than soil and at five sampling sites aluminum and iron were present in soil at relatively high concentrations.

The use of BMWP and ASPT indices for evaluation of water quality according to macroinvertebrates in Küçük Menderes River (Turkey)

Abstract This study was carried out in the Küçük Menderes River basin in order to determine the water quality and investigate the environmental quality and the applicability of both the Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP) and Average Score Per Taxon (ASPT). Monitoring took place in May, July and September 2014 at 10 stations (7 rivers and 3 lakes) according to the method of Intercalibration Common Metrics. Some metrics (BMWP, ASPT, Family Biotic Index, Simpson Diversity Index, Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index, Margalef Diversity Index, dominance, frequency and existence of sensitive species) were calculated. In total, 69 taxa comprising 5,814 individuals were detected. The taxa having the highest frequency rate were Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri (70%), Chironomus (Camptochironomus) tentans (70%), Psammoryctides albicola (60%), Physella acuta (60%), Nais elinguis (60%) and Stylaria lacustris (50%), which are alpha mesosaprobic and polysaprobic species, respectively. The presence and high dominance and frequency rate of these species have indicated basin pollution. Positive indicator species for water quality are Gomphus schneideri, Trithemis annulata, Lindenia tetraphylla, Orthetrum cancellatum, Hydropsyche angustipennis, Cricotopus (Cricotopus) fuscus and Cricotopus (Cricotopus) annulator, while negative indicator species are Culex pipiens, Chironomus (Camptoch.) tentans, Chironomus thummi, Stylaria lacustris and Eristalis tenax. Habitat quality of the Küçük Menderes River basin was not high (it was found to be heavily polluted/polluted/slightly polluted according to the physicochemical data, BMWP and ASPT) due to physical habitat degradation, urban waste waters, touristic, seasonal dwelling and agricultural activities.

A new species of Enchytraeus (Enchytraeidae, Oligochaeta) from the profundal of Lake Van, the world's largest soda Lake (Turkey, East Anatolia)

Enchytraeus polatdemiri sp. nov. (Enchytaeidae, Oligochaeta) was discovered in the framework of a sampling campaign of the benthic invertebrate fauna of the hyperalkaline Lake Van in Eastern Anatolia, Turkey, the third-largest closed lake and the largest soda lake on Earth. It was the only oligochaete species found in all samples. DNA sequencing included a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, and a fragment of the nuclear histone 3 (H3) gene. For comparison, specimens from laboratory cultures of E. albidus Henle, 1837, a widespread and morphologically similar species, were sequenced as well. The new species differs from E. albidus in comparatively small body size, 2 or 3 chaetae per bundle, saddle-shaped clitellum, absence of a copulatory field between the male pores and vasa deferentia usually not extending beyond the clitellum. The individual gene trees of COI and H3, as well as the combined phylogenetic analysis of both trees, recovered Enchytraeus polatdemiri sp. nov. as a monophyletic group within the genus Enchytraeus, closely related to E. albidus, but with an average p-distance for COI of 14.5 %. E. polatdemiri sp. nov. may have evolved from a local population of Enchytraeus albidus, a species well-adapted to changing salinity conditions, or from a common ancestor into an extremophile species that dwells and reproduces in the profundal of a strongly alkaline soda lake.

An Indigenous Species, Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771) (Mollusca, Bivalvia), as an Invader in Lake Büyük Akgöl

Abstract The relative abundance of D. polymorpha and other benthic macroinvertebrates in lake Büyük Akgöl was studied in 2009, 2012 and 2014. In 2009, the macroinvertebrate fauna consisted of Gastropoda (53.4%), Bivalvia (26.8%), Oligochaeta (12.6%), Chironomidae (5.9%) and other taxonomic groups (Trichoptera, Ceratopogonidae, Ephemeroptera, Odonata, Chaoboridae, and Hirudinea) (1.04%). After three years, Bivalvia and Oligochaeta increased (38.2% and 15.3%, respectively), whereas the other groups (in particular, Gastropoda and Chironomidae) were found to decrease (41.4% and 4.5%, respectively). For the study period, the relative abundance of D. polymorpha increased from 19.6% (2009) to 34.8% (2014). The species has occupied various benthic habitats of lake Büyük Akgöl and continued to spread during the study period.

EMET ÇAYI SU KALİTESİNİN MEVSİMSEL DEĞİŞİMİ

Emet Cayi Havzasi, Turkiye’nin en onemli nehir sistemlerinden biridir ve Emet Cayi Uluabat Golu’nu (Ramsar Alani) besleyen en onemli iki akarsudan biridir. Havzada yurutulen tarimsal ve endustriyel faaliyetler ve evsel atiklar sistem uzerinde yogun bir kirlilik baskisi olusturmaktadir. Bu calismada, biri Kinik Cayi uzerinde, biri Dursunbey Cayi uzerinde ve altisi Emet Cayi uzerinde olmak uzere Emet Cayi Havzasi’nda belirlenen toplam sekiz istasyondan mevsimsel olarak su ornekleri toplanmistir. Bolgenin su kalitesinin belirlenmesi icin bazi limnolojik parametreler (nitrat azotu, nitrit azotu, amonyum azotu, sulfat, ortafosfat ve BOI 5 ) arastirilmistir. Elde edilen veriler istatistiki olarak degerlendirilmis ve cesitli ulusal ve uluslararasi kuruluslar tarafindan bildirilen limit degerler ile karsilastirilmistir. Elde edilen verilere gore, havzanin onemli miktarda organik kirlilige maruz kaldigi tespit edilmistir.

Maden Havzası Balıklarında Vücut Ağırlığı ile Ağır Metal Biyoakümülasyon İlişkileri: Emet Çayı Havzası

Bildirildigi gibi, farkli fizyolojik yapilara sahip degisik balik turleri, agir metallere maruz kalma surelerine ve maruz kalinan metalin cesidine gore, agir metalleri farkli dokularda farkli miktarlarda biriktirmektedirler. Baliklarin yasi, dolayisiyla yasa paralel artis gosteren agirliklari, dokulardaki toksik element biyoakumulasyonlarinda onemli bir faktordur. Bu calismada, ulkemizin en onemli maden yataklarinin yer aldigi Emet Cayi uzerinde tespit edilen uc ve yine Emet Cayi Havzasi’nda yer alan Dursunbey Cayi uzerinde tespit edilen bir istasyondan mevsimsel olarak, havza icin en buyuk onem arz eden Squalius cii , Capoeta tinca ve Barbus oligolepis turleri, gerekli miktarlarda toplanmistir. Yakalanan baliklarin kas, solungac, karaciger ve bobrek dokularinda tespit edilen nikel, cinko, arsenik, bor, kadmiyum, bakir, mangan, kursun, gumus ve krom biyoakumulasyon seviyelerinin balik agirliklari ile iliskileri arastirilmistir. Elde edilen verilere, SPSS 17 istatistik programi kullanilarak Pearson Korelasyon Analizi uygulanmis, yuksek korelasyon gosteren degiskenlerin uc boyutlu regresyon grafikleri cizilmis ve regresyon katsayilari hesaplanmistir. Calismamiz sonucunda, balik dokularinda tespit edilen toksik element biyoakumulasyonlari ile baliklarin total agirlik verileri arasinda anlamli iliskiler kaydedilmistir.