Osman Sert

Determination of Coleoptera fauna on carcasses in Ankara province, Turkey

In this study, 40 species from Staphylinidae, Histeridae, Dermestidae, Silphidae, Nitidulidae and Cleridae families of Coleoptera which were found in 12 pig (Sus scrofa L.) carcasses were identified and recorded during a one-year period at the Hacettepe University Beytepe Campus located in Ankara, Turkey. According to the duration of their presence on the carcasses, 22 of these species were accepted to be important in decomposition. Their distribution over the months and the duration of their presence in the various decomposition stages over the seasons were determined.

Determination of Calliphoridae (Diptera) fauna and seasonal distribution on carrion in Ankara province.

Abstract:  This study was conducted from March 2006 to 2007. The aim of the study was to determine the forensically significant Calliphoridae (Diptera) species and their seasonal distribution in Ankara province at Beytepe Campus. Pig carcasses were killed by a veterinary using pentobarbital sodium with intervals from 2 to 3 weeks to a month. Samples were collected from the carcass everyday in the morning, in the afternoon, and at sunset. Temperature and parameters of weather, such as cloudy, sunny, rainy, and snowy, were recorded at each visit. Phaenicia sericata (Meigen), Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann), Calliphora vomitoria (Linnaeus), and Calliphora vicina (Robineau‐Desvoidy) species, which belong to Calliphoridae family, were collected. It was shown that the seasonal distribution of the collected species was different from each other. The species were determined on carcass between the following times; P. sericata, from April to November; C. albiceps, from May to November; Ca. vomitoria, from February to June and from September to December; and Ca. vicina, from February to May and in June and September. Calliphoridae fauna and its annual seasonal distribution in Turkey on 12 pig carcasses were reported for the first time in this study.

Effects of different types of soil on decomposition: An experimental study

Decomposition, a postmortem process including autolysis and putrefaction, is affected by many factors (e.g., humidity, microbial activity, soil properties). The purpose of this study was to determine the importance of soil type in decomposition process. Changes occurred in two intervals (3 and 6 months) were evaluated using a total of 32 Sus scrofa limbs by burying in four different types of soil (loamy, clayey, sandy and organic). The extremities in all soils had lost weight over time; however, mass loss was greater in loamy and organic soils in both intervals. Entomological findings were also assessed. Obtained findings of soil analysis and evaluation of decomposition were compatible. In conclusion, the present study revealed that soil properties and textures should be taken into account in evaluation of decomposition and estimating postmortem interval in crime scene investigation.

Faunistic composition, ecological properties and zoogeographical composition of the family Elateridae (Coleoptera) of the Central Anatolian Region of Turkey

Abstract The focus of this study was to understand the faunistic composition, ecological properties and zoogeographical composition of Elateridae (Coleoptera) of the Central Anatolian region. 72 species belonging to seven subfamilies and 25 genera were identified. The major part of the Elateridae fauna of the Central Anatolian region is formed by the subfamilies Elaterinae and Cardiophorinae. The genus Cardiophorus was the most species-rich genus. The species composition of the Elateridae fauna of the Central Anatolian region is partially consistent with known Elateridae fauna of Turkey. The Central Anatolian region shares most species with the European part of the Western Palaearctic as does the Elateridae fauna of Turkey. Detailed localities of nine species are given for the first time for Turkey, with emphasis on the Central Anatolian region.

A New Species fromAthous(Orthathous)acutangulusSpecies Group from Turkey

A new Elateridae species, Athous (Orthathous) cagatayae n. sp., is presented from Ankara, Turkey. The morphology of the new species is described. Photographs of imago and aedeagus, aedeagi drawings of the new species, and identification key are given. The new species is discussed with species of acutangulus group, with a differential diagnosis.Abstract A new Elateridae species, Athous (Orthathous) cagatayae n. sp., is presented from Ankara, Turkey. The morphology of the new species is described. Photographs of imago and aedeagus, aedeagi drawings of the new species, and identification key are given. The new species is discussed with species of acutangulus group, with a differential diagnosis.

A New Species of Athous Eschscholtz in the Subgenus Orthathous Reitter (Coleoptera: Elateridae) from Turkey

ABSTRACT Athous (Orthathous) yozgatiensis Kabalak and Sert, new species, from Yozgat, Turkey is described. Photograph of the adult, drawings of the antenna and aedeagus, a key to the new and closely related species, a distribution map, and differential diagnosis table are given. The new species is similar to Athous kovancii Platia and Athous fragariae Platia and Kovanci, but is distinguished clearly by the second antennal segment slightly longer than wide, third antennal segment longer than second, and broadly rounded apex of parameres.

A New Species from Athous (Orthathous) acutangulus Species Group from Turkey

A new Elateridae species, Athous (Orthathous) cagatayae n. sp., is presented from Ankara, Turkey. The morphology of the new species is described. Photographs of imago and aedeagus, aedeagi drawings of the new species, and identification key are given. The new species is discussed with species of acutangulus group, with a differential diagnosis.Abstract A new Elateridae species, Athous (Orthathous) cagatayae n. sp., is presented from Ankara, Turkey. The morphology of the new species is described. Photographs of imago and aedeagus, aedeagi drawings of the new species, and identification key are given. The new species is discussed with species of acutangulus group, with a differential diagnosis.

Faunistic, Ecological and Zoogeographical Evaluations on the Click-Beetles (Coleoptera: Elateridae) of Middle Part of the Blacksea Region of Turkey

Abstract The focus of this study is to display the faunistic, ecological and zoogeographical status of Elateridae fauna from the middle part of the Blacksea Region in Turkey. Materials are specimens collected from 2006 to 2009 during field studies, as well as the species - of which localities are unpublished-received from the private collection of Dr. Giuseppe Platia and the species present in the available literature. 54 species of 21 genera belonging to 6 subfamilies of Elateridae were recorded in the collected specimens. Along with the species present in literature and the private collection, the total material representing the study area was shown to comprise six subfamilies, 24 genera and 73 species. Number of specimens, collecting habitats-methods, months, altitudes are given in tables and graphs for collected species. Distributions of species in other regions of Turkey and zoogeographical regions are also given in tables and graphs for all species. Diversity of the collected species and collecting habitats-methods were compared by using Shannon-Wiener diversity index. Zoogeographical status of all species were discussed.

On the female and male genital structures of sitona fairmairei allard, 1869 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) from Turkey

ABSTRACT Description of female and male genital structures of Sitona fairmairei Allard, 1869 are given for the first time.

Faunistic composition, ecological properties, and zoogeographical composition of the Elateridae (Coleoptera) family in the Western Black Sea region of Turkey

Abstract The main aim of this study was to understand the faunistic composition, ecological properties, and zoogeographical composition of the family Elateridae (Coleoptera) of the Western Black Sea region of Turkey. As a result, 44 species belonging to 5 subfamilies and 19 genera were identified. After adding species reported in the literature to the analysis, the fauna in the research area consists of 6 subfamilies, 23 genera and 72 species. Most of the Elateridae fauna of the Western Black Sea region were classified in the subfamilies Elaterinae and Dendrometrinae. The genus Athous was the most species-rich genus. The species composition of the Elateridae fauna of the Western Black Sea region partially overlaps with the known Elateridae fauna of Turkey. The Western Black Sea region shares the most species with the European part of the Western Palaearctic region, including many of those in the Elateridae family, compared to other regions. Comparisons of the three geographical regions of Turkey show that fauna composition, ecological properties, and zoogeographical compositions of the Middle and Western Black Sea regions are more similar to each other than to those of the Central Anatolian region.