Raşit Urhan

Natural and anthropogenic factors affecting the nest-site selection of Loggerhead Turtles, Caretta caretta, on Dalaman-Sarıgerme beach in South-west Turkey.

Abstract The nesting activities of Loggerhead Turtles (Caretta caretta Stejneger, 1902) and anthropogenic factors affecting them were monitored over 7 years (2002–2008) on Dalaman-Sarıgerme beach, one of the main nesting grounds in Turkey. Out of the 2620 nesting emergences recorded during the entire study period, only 645 (24.6%) resulted in successful nesting, giving an annual mean number of nests of 92. The collective number of eggs in these nests numbered 50239, with 40079 (79.8%) of them producing hatchlings. Out of the total number of eggs laid, 8128 (16.2%) resulted in dead embryos and 2032 (4.0%) in unfertilized eggs. The mean incubation period averaged 49 days (range 40–67 days) and the mean clutch size was 79.0 (range 18–150 eggs). Turtle nests were more concentrated on the undeveloped parts of the beach than on developed parts. In the other sections, few emergences occurred and either no or few nests were recorded. In Section I, which contained hotels and water sports facilities, only a few non-nesting emergences were observed. Of the number of nests that were observed, 32% were laid in Section II, which contained recently built hotels, 60% were in Section III and 8% were in Section IV, the undeveloped portion containing beach rocks. There is very clear evidence that the Loggerhead Turtles are shifting their nesting sites to the undisturbed sites along the beach. The negative factors that seem to be affecting them include water sports, hotel lights and beach rocks. In order to protect sea turtles, there needs to be a better understanding of how effective beach protection can be established.

Some new species of the family Zerconidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) from Turkey

Three new species of zerconid mites, Prozercon (Prozercon) mersinensis, P. (Prozercon) yavuzi and P. (Prozercon) kafkasoricus, from Turkey are described and illustrated, and a key to adults of known species of Prozercon provided.

Two new species of zerconid mites from Turkey

Abstract Two new species of zerconid mites, Zercon tefenniensis sp. n. and Prozercon erdogani sp. n., are described and illustrated on the basis of material collected from Turkey.

Descriptions of two new species of the genus Zercon Koch (Acari, Gamasida, Zerconidae) from Turkey

Abstract Two species of zerconid mites are described as new to science: Zercon quadricavum sp. n. and Zercon fragilis sp.n. Both species were found in Turkey and are illustrated and compared with the most closely related species of Zercon. Distinguishing features are given.

Zercon anatolicus, A New Species of Zerconid Mites (Acari: Mesostigmata: Zerconidae) from Turkey

Abstract. In this study, a new species of zerconid mites, Zercon anatolicus, is described and illustrated on the basis of material collected from Turkey. Diagnostic characters of Zercon anatolicus: Anterior margin of ventro-anal shield with two pairs of setae. Dorsal cavities of general size and appearence, star-like with undulated and weakly sclerotised on their anterior margin. Pores Po3 situated beetwen setal rows J and Z, on the line connecting setae Z4–J3 located closer to the setae Z4. Pores Po4 lie on the line connecting the base of setae S4–Z5. Setae J1–J5, Z1, Z2, Z5, S1–S3 and R1–R7 short and smooth. Setae J6, Z3–Z4 and S4 long and barbed with hyaline ending. Setae J6 the longest opisthonotal setae (63–76 µm). Opisthonotal shield with distinct reticulate pattern in the anterior region and punctuate pattern in the posterior region. A key to the adults of Zercon species known from Turkey is also given.

Zercon honazicus sp. n., a new species of mite from Turkey (Acari: Zerconidae).

Abstract A new species of zerconid mite, Zercon honazicus sp. n., is described and illustrated from Turkey. Diagnostic characters include an anterior margin of the ventro-anal shield which has two pairs of setae and dorsal cavities which are distinct, saddle-like and have an undulating anterior margin. On the podonotum, setae j2 are finely barbed and r3 thickened, prolonged, apically pilose, and terminating in a hyaline ending. The opisthonotal shield has a distinct reticulate pattern in the anterior region and a punctuate pattern in the posterior region. The new species is closely related to Z. zelawaiensis Sellnick, 1944 and Z. rafaljanus Blaszak & Laniecka, 2007. Diagnostic features are given in a table.

Two new species of Zercon (Acari: Zerconidae) from Turkey

Two new species of zerconid mites, Zercon uludagicus sp. n. and Z. huseyini sp. n., from Turkey are described and illustrated. The similarities and differences between the species are discussed. The lists of the taxonomic diagnostic key to adults of Zercon species known from Turkey are also given.

Invertebrate infestation on eggs and hatchlings of the loggerhead turtle, Caretta caretta , in Dalaman, Turkey

The damage caused by some invertebrates to the eggs and hatchlings of loggerhead turtles, Caretta caretta, was investigated during the summer of 2002 on Dalaman beach, Turkey. The specimens, identified to family or genus levels, from nine families representing seven orders were recorded as infesting nests of loggerhead turtles. The heaviest impacts on loggerhead turtle nests was made by Pimelia sp. (Tenebrionidae, Coleoptera). Twenty-four (36.3%) out of 66 intact loggerhead hatched nests were affected by these larvae. Larval damage by Pimelia sp. was recorded in 188 (10.6%) out of 1773 eggs, but only in two (0.28%) hatchlings. The results show that fewer insects were in the nest the further from vegetation and therefore the relocation of nests from the waters edge to further inland close to vegetation may increase the infestation rate of the eggs.

Prozercon celali sp. nov. of Soil Mites (Acari: Zerconidae) from Turkey

Abstract. In this study, Prozercon celali sp. nov., collected from Honaz Mountain National Park in Turkey is described and illustrated on the basis of the adults females. Diagnostic characters of Prozercon celali: Postero-lateral tips of peritrematal shields reaching bases of marginal setae R3 or R4. Margin of opisthonotum with eight pairs of setae. Setae j1, r1, r4, r6, r7 markedly elongated, densely plumose, brush-like and apically rounded, setae j2, r2, r3 and r5 pilose or plumose, other podonotal setae short, smooth and neddle-like. Setae J1–J5, Z1–Z4 and S1 plumose and apically tapering, seate J6, S2 and S4 densely plumose, brush-like and apically rounded. Setae S3 absent. Setae R1–R8 and Z5 short and smooth. Dorsal cavities are distinct, sclerotized, equal in size and form. Additionally, a key to the adults of genus Prozercon known from Turkey is given.

Contributions to the genus Prozercon Sellnick, 1943 (Acari: Zerconidae) from Turkey, with the description of two new species and a key to species

Abstract Two new species of zerconid mites, Prozercon balikesirensis sp. n. and Prozercon buraki sp. n., from Turkey are described and illustrated. A key to adults of the genus Prozercon known from Turkey is given.