Ümit Incekara

Checklist of Hydrophiloidea of Turkey (Coleoptera: Polyphaga)

The superfamily Hydrophiloidea of Turkey is catalogued. A total of 23 genera and 161 valid species and subspecies are recorded of which six species (3.7%) are recorded as endemic. Forty-eight species and two subspecies are from the family Helophoridae, three species are from the family Georissidae, seven species are from the family Hydrochidae, two species are from the family Spercheidae and 95 species and four subspecies are from the family Hydrophilidae. Distributions of these species within Turkey are given according to the 81 administrative divisions of the country. The catalogue is based on examination of the primary literature and also includes some records from specimens examined in collections. Taxa are arranged hierarchically under the categories of family, subfamily, tribe, subtribe (where recognized), genus, subgenus (where recognized), species and subspecies (where recognized).

Determination of acute and early life stage toxicity of fat-plant effluent using zebrafish (Danio rerio).

The present study examines the effects of an effluent from a fat plant (FP) on zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos and larvae using the whole effluent toxicity testing methods (WET). The method is based on acute toxicity using 96‐h larval mortality and chronic toxicity using endpoints such as the time to hatch, hatching success, deformity, growth rate, swim‐up failure, accumulative mortality, and sex ratio. On the basis of larval mortality the 96‐h LC50 (the concentration was lethal to 50% of newly hatching zebrafish larvae) was 68.9%. In chronic toxicity test, newly fertilized embryos (<5‐h old) were exposed to 1, 6, 12, 25, 50% effluent concentrations in a 24‐h static renewal system at (27 ± 0.5)°C until 15‐day posthatch. The results showed that all chronic endpoints were significantly different from the control at 50% dilution. Embryos began to show lesions on third day at higher concentrations (12, 25, 50% FP effluent concentrations). Treatment group of 25% dilution showed delayed time to hatch. Morphological abnormalities were observed in newly hatched larvae at 25 and 50% FP effluent concentrations. At 25% dilution, sex ratio of larvae was alternated and there was feminization phenomenon. On the basis of the study, the FP effluent tested here may cause increasing embryotoxicity in the zebrafish embryos. We conclude that the test using zebrafish is feasible to evaluate both acute and chronic toxicities of industrial effluents.

First records of Anacaena lutescens (Stephens, 1829) and Cercyon littoralis (Gyllenhal, 1808) from Turkey (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae)

Abstract Two Hydrophilid species (water beetles) are described as new to the Turkish fauna: Anacaena lutescens (Stephens, 1829) and Cercyon littoralis (Gyllenhal, 1808). Both were found at high altitiudes in the Black Sea region. The descriptions are supported by scanning electron microscope photographs.

A New Species of Laccobius Erichson, 1837 (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae: Hydrophilinae) from Turkey

A new species, Laccobius (Dimorpholaccobius) hopaensis sp. n. is described and Laccobius (Dimorpholaccobius) hoberlandti Gentili, 1982 is recorded from Turkey for the first time. In addition, a list of Laccobius Erichson, 1837 species known from Turkey is presented.

The cytogenetic effects of the aqueous extracts of migratory locust (Locusta migratoria L.) in vitro.

One of the useful and most commonly cultivated commercially species, migratory locust (Locusta migratoria; Orthoptera), was investigated in light of genotoxic damage potentials. For this aim, we evaluated the genotoxic potentials of water soluble extracts of L. migratoria on cultured human blood cells. The micronucleus, sister chromatid exchange and structural chromosome aberration assays were applied to assess DNA and chromosomal damage produced by aqueous extracts in vitro. The extracts were added to the cultures at different concentrations ranging from 0 to 1000 mg/L. Our results indicated that these extracts did not exhibit genotoxicity at tested concentrations. We conclude that this in vitro approach for biomonitoring genotoxicity assessment is useful for comparing the potential health risks of edible insects.

Biomonitoring of the genotoxic effects and oxidative potentials of commercial edible dung beetles (Onitis sp.), grasshopper (Caelifera sp.) and mole crickets (Gryllotalpa sp.) in vitro

In this investigation, the genotoxic and oxidative effects of water soluble extracts of dung beetles, flying grasshopper and mole crickets have been assessed on cultured human blood cells. The extracts were added to the culture tubes at 12 different concentrations (0–2000 ppm). Micronucleus test was used to monitor the DNA and the chromosomal damage produced by aqueous extracts in vitro. In addition, to assess the oxidative effects, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidant status (TOS) levels were also measured. Our results indicated that these extracts did not show genotoxic effects at the tested concentrations. However, the extracts caused dose-dependent alterations in both TAC and TOS levels. Based on the findings, it was concluded that the studied insects can be consumed safely, but it is necessary to consider the cellular damages which are likely to appear depending on oxidative stress at higher concentrations. It has also been suggested that this in vitro approach for oxidative and genotoxicity assessments may be useful to evaluate the potential health risks of edible insects.

Heavy metal accumulation in some aquatic insects (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae) and tissues of Chondrostoma regium (Heckel, 1843) relevant to their concentration in water and sediments from Karasu River, Erzurum, Turkey

The objectives of this research were to determine and compare the heavy element concentrations in two study areas in Erzurum, Turkey (Aşkale and Dumlu sites). Assessment of some heavy elements in sediment, water, fish (Chondrostoma regium) tissues, and some aquatic insects (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae) were carried out in June to August 2014. Heavy element levels in aquatic insect samples and their associated water and sediment were analyzed by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometer. Fish tissues, from the same habitat, were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Eleven elements (Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg, Pb) were measured in fish tissues, and 14 elements (Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Sr, Br, Pb) were measured in insects. According to the results, it can be said that insects were contaminated by water and sediment, thus accumulated higher concentration of some elements than their environment. The fish, which was caught from Aşkale station, accumulates significantly higher level of heavy metals than Dumlu station’s fish. The results were compared with national and international standards. The values of some heavy elements were found at higher concentration than the acceptable limits. The possible consequences of these results are briefly discussed from the point of potential hazards to ecology and human health. Element concentrations in fish tissue are below the limits, which are proposed by Turkish Food Codex, FAO/WHO, and EC, and safe for human consumption in the edible parts of fish species in the regions.

In vitro biomonitoring of the genotoxic and oxidative potentials of two commonly eaten insects in southwestern Nigeria

In this study, the cytogenetic and oxidative effects of water soluble extracts of two commonly eaten insects, Zonocerus variegatus (Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae) and Oryctes boas (Solanales: Solanaceae), in southwestern Nigeria were evaluated on cultured human blood cells. The extracts were added to the cultures at various concentrations (0–2000 ppm). The chromosome aberration and micronucleus tests were used to find out the DNA and chromosomal damage potentials in vitro by aqueous insect extracts. To assess the oxidative effects of these insect extracts, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidant status (TOS) levels were also measured. Our results indicated that these extracts did not show genotoxic effects at the tested concentrations. However, the extracts caused dose-dependent alterations in both TAC and TOS levels. Based on the findings, it was concluded that the studied insects can be consumed safely, but it is necessary to consider the cellular damages that are likely to appear depending on the oxidative stress. We also suggest that this in vitro approach for oxidative and genotoxicity assessments may be useful to compare the potential health risks of edible insects.

Citric acid production from Aspergillus niger MT-4 using hydrolysate extract of the insect Locusta migratoria

Citric acid (CA) is the most important organic acid used in the food and other industries. Locusta migratoria is an insect species, which has rich nutritional composition (especially protein) and cultivated in some countries. Therefore, the present study investigated the usability of hydrolysate extract of L. migratoria biomass as substrate for the production of CA from Aspergillus niger MT-4. The insect extract (IE) was found to be rich in ash (34.9 g/100 g), protein (35.6 g/100 g) and mineral contents. Yeast extract was found to be the most favorable substrate for biomass production, whereas the maximum production of CA (41.8 g/L) was achieved in the medium containing IE. Besides, uniform pellets with the smallest size (4 mm) were observed in IE medium. It was thought that rich magnesium (6.78 g/100 g) and manganese (1.14 g/100 g) contents of IE increased the production of CA, resulting in the formation of small uniform pellets. This is the first report on the effect of protein-rich insect biomasses on the production of CA. In this regard, L. migratoria biomass was tested for the first time as a CA-production substrate.

A NEW SPECIES OF HELOPHORUS FABRICIUS, 1775 (COLEOPTERA: HELOPHORIDAE) FROM TURKEY, WITH A REMARK TO THE KEY TO SUBGENERA IN ANGUS (1992)

ABSTRACT A new species of hydrophiloid beetles, Helophorus (Orphelophorus) turca sp. n., is described from high altitude in northern Anatolia (Asiatic Turkey) and compared with the two known species of the genus. Diagnostic characters are supported with electron micrographs. The key to the subgenera of Angus (1992) is briefly discussed.