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Zoology in the Middle East Volume 40, 2007
ISSN 0939-7140 Kasparek Verlag, Heidelberg Covered in the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE). Admitted to ISI Master Journal list and covered by the BioSciences Information Service (Biosis Previews) and Biological Abstracts, the Zoological Record and many other review organs.
Price per article: Euro 10.00 (plus Euro 2.00 postage/handling) |
Ahmet Karatas, Mustafa Sozen, Sakir Ozkurt, Ferhat Matur
Karyology of three bat species of the genus Myotis (M. myotis, M. bechsteinii, M. brandtii) (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from Turkey
Abstract. The karyotypes of three vespertilionid bat species from Turkey were examined. The karyotypes of these species were found as 2n = 44, NF = 54 and NFa = 50 for Myotis myotis; 2n= 42, NF= 50, and NFa= 46 for Myotis bechsteinii; 2n= 44, NF= 54, and NFa= 50 for Myotis brandtii. The M. brandtii karyotype of was studied for the first time for Turkey. Further details on the karyotype of M. bechsteinii, which had been described previously, are given.
Key words. Myotis myotis, Myotis bechsteinii, Myotis brandtii, karyology, Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae, Turkey.
Zoology in the Middle East 40, 2007: 5-9
Fares Khoury, Mohammad Al-Shamlih, Hatim Sultan, Younis Abu-Ghalyun
The effects of vegetation cover on the structure of bird communities in a hyperarid desert
Abstract. The hyperarid deserts of Wadi Araba, SW Jordan, include a variety of habitats ranging from barren alluvial fans and sand dunes to arid acacia savannahs and salt marshes. The diversity of resident birds was highest in acacia stands growing on alluvial fans and stone plains. Although open sand dune habitats have a distinct bird community contributing to the overall diversity, the local diversity within these habitats is relatively small. In habitats with both rocky and sandy substrates, species richness, avian abundance and the diversity of feeding guilds increased locally with the density of shrubs and/or trees. Additionally, avian diversity was related to vertical structure and linked to the mean height of shrubs and trees. Ephemeral annual cover had no general effect on the diversity of the native bird community. Shrub and tree cover appear to be reliable habitat cues used by many bird species when choosing their breeding habitats, as the presence of shrubs and trees increases the diversity of food resources and of secure nesting sites.
Key words. Bird communities, diversity, hyperarid desert, Wadi Araba, Jordan.
Zoology in the Middle East
40, 2007: 10-20
Sherif M. Baha El Din
A new lizard of the Acanthodactylus scutellatus group (Squamata: Lacertidae) from Egypt
Abstract. Two morphologically and ecologically distinct populations of lizards belonging to the Acanthodactylus scutellatus species group (previously treated as conspecifics under the name A. longipes) are documented as occurring in sympatry over a wide geographical area in Egypt. The occurrence of bona fide A. longipes in the Western Desert of Egypt is confirmed; while populations in the eastern part of the country and previously referred to A. longipes, are described as a new species.
Key words. Lacertidae, Acanthodactylus, new species, Egypt.
Zoology in the Middle East 40, 2007: 21-32
Farhang Torki
Sexual dimorphism in the Banded Dwarf Gecko, Tropiocolotes helenae fasciatus (Gekkonidae) on the western Iranian plateau
Abstract. Sexual dimorphism is widespread in lizards, but was so far undocumented in Tropiocolotes helenae, an endemic gecko of the western Iranian plateau. A multivariate statistical analysis revealed that males are much smaller than females, but with relatively longer tails and more colour bars on the tail, together with more subtle shape differences.
Key words. Tropiocolotes helenae fasciatus, Gekkonidae, sexual dimorphism, western Iran.
Zoology in the Middle East 40, 2007: 33-38. | Abstract (PDF) | Order article...
Yusuf Katilmis, Rasit Urhan
Insects and mites infestation on eggs and hatchlings of the Nile Soft-shelled Turtle, Trionyx triunguis, in Kukurtlu Lake (Turkey)
Abstract. The damage caused by insect and mites to eggs and hatchlings of Nile Soft-shelled Turtles, Trionyx triunguis, was investigated during the 2002 and 2003 nesting seasons in Kukurtlu Lake (Dalaman, Turkey). The greatest impact on turtle nests was recorded by Muscidae and Tenebrionidae. Tenebrionids affected 33%, and Muscidae 52%, of the 58 intact Nile Soft-shelled Turtles nests studied. The number of Tenebrionidae found in turtle nests decreased with their distance from vegetation. Hatchling success of nests without insect infestation was found to be statistically higher than of uninfested nests.
Key words. Infestation, Muscidae, nest, Tenebrionidae, Trionyx triunguis.
Zoology in the Middle East 40, 2007: 39-44. | Abstract (PDF) | Order article...
Massimo Delfino, Guy Bar-Oz, Lior Weissbrod
Recent shrinkage of the range of the Eastern Spadefoot Toad, Pelobates syriacus (Amphibia: Anura): archaeological evidence from the Bronze Age in Israel
Abstract. The analysis of the remains collected in the Ara Burial Cave in Lower Galilee, Israel (Late Bronze Age II, c. 1300-1200 BCE), permitted the identification of 725 anuran remains belonging mostly to Bufo viridis but also to Pelobates cf. syriacus. The origin of the anuran assemblage in Ara cave appears to be intrusive, probably related to the need to find aestivation shelter during the dry and hot summer season. Despite the relative rarity of Pelobates remains (attributable to a single individual), their presence in the Ara cave testifies to a wider range of the taxon in the recent past, since the cave is located outside its present range. Pelobates remains are also found in several Israeli Late Pleistocene archaeological sites that lie outside the present fragmented range of the species and completely fill its main gap in this country. This suggests recent environmental modifications, which may be due to climatic fluctuations as well as anthropogenic impact. An accurate analysis of the range contraction evidenced by the zooarchaeological record, and of the environmental changes that recently occurred in the region, should be taken into consideration in the preparation of soundly based conservation or reintroduction plans in Israel.
Key words. Bufo viridis, range fragmentation, biogeography, Holocene, conservation.
Zoology in the Middle East 40, 2007: 45-52. | Abstract (PDF) | Order article...
Ali Bagherian, Hossein Rahmani
Morphological differentiation between two populations of the Shemaya, Chalcalburnus chalcoides: a geometrical morphometric approach
Abstract. Morphological differences (shape and size) among two populations of Shemaya (Danube Bleak), Chalcalburnus chalcoides,were studied by the geometric methods of shape PCA, thin-plate splines and multivariate analysis of partial warp scores. Measurements of Cartesian coordinates of 15 landmarks were obtained from 66 specimens from the Rivers Haraz and Shirud. For each specimen, centroid sizes were computed; sexual dimorphism and variation in size among sites were tested using t-test. Sexes differed significantly in size (P<0.001), with females being larger than males. Populations had significant size differences (P<0.001), with specimens from the River Shirud being larger than those from the River Haraz. Body shapes were significantly different between sexes (P<0.001) and populations (P<0.001), but interaction of sexes at sites were insignificant (P=358). TPS analysis showed a sexual dimorphism of shape, in particular the abdominal area, which appeared to be more enlarged in the females of the two populations. The canonical vitiate analysis CVA based on partial warps correctly identified all female specimens and 95% of male specimens at both locations. The results show thast the difference in body shape between the two populations is probably due to habitat influence (water flow speed).
Key words. Chalcalburnus chalcoides, geometric morphometry, Iran, Middle East.
Zoology in the Middle East 40, 2007: 53-62. | Abstract (PDF) | Order article...
Davut Turan, Ljiljana Tomovic, Vladimir Pesic
Morphological variation in a common Turkish cyprinid, Squalius cephalus, across Turkish water catchment areas
Abstract. Morphometric variability and differentiation in the common Turkish cyprinid Squalius cephalus was investigated across the water catchment areas of the Rivers Istranca (SW Black Sea), Kura (Caspian Sea), Koca (Sea of Marmara), Sakarya (S Black Sea), Coruh (Black Sea coast in NE Turkey), Gediz (Aegean Sea), Seyhan (Mediterranean Sea) and Mimikhan (River Euphrates basin). Results of multivariate analyses of morphometric and meristic data confirmed a stable geographic differentiation. Analysed samples of S. cephalus from Turkey are separated into three groups with considerable gaps between some of the analysed samples. Contrary to previous results, multivariate analyses of standard morphometric indexes showed no morphological differentiation of analysed samples from Turkey, and hence, complete lack of clearly-defined, discrete taxa within S. cephalus from this region.
Key words. Chub, Squalius cephalus, morphological variation, geographical variation, water catchment areas, Turkey.
Zoology in the Middle East 40, 2007: 71-76. | Abstract (PDF) | Order article...
Murat Kaya, Sibel Yigit, Ahmet Altindag
Rotifers in Turkish inland waters
Abstract. From a survey of 36 freshwater sites in Turkey, 12 species of Rotifera were recorded as new to Turkey: Aspelta labri, Dicranophorus robustus, Encentrum uncinatum, E. wiszniewskii, Eothinia lamellata, Itura aurita, Lecane arcula, L. hornemanni, L. inopitana, Lindia torulosa, Proales theodora, and Wulfertia kivuensis. These include four genera found in Turkey for the first time (Aspelta, Eothinia, Itura and Wulfertia).
Key words. Rotifera, taxonomy, Turkey, new records.
Zoology in the Middle East 40, 2007: 63-70. | Abstract (PDF) | Order article...
Hosseinali Lotfalizadeh, Babak Gharali
Some notes on the genus Sycophila Walker, 1871 (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) in the west of Iran
Abstract. Recent studies have shown that four species of Sycophila (S. biguttata, S. binotata, S. submutica, and S. variegata) can be added to the list of Iranian Hymenoptera. A simple key to species and notes on their biology are given. The variability of characters, e.g. colour, and the value of some useful characters for separating species is briefly discussed.
Key words. Sycophila, Eurytomidae, Iran, Quercus, gall.
Zoology in the Middle East 40, 2007: 77-84. | Abstract (PDF) | Order article...
Omid Paknia, Haji Gholi Kami
New and additional records for the formicid fauna (Insecta: Hymenoptera) of Iran
Abstract. This article provides fifteen new and additional records for the ant fauna of Iran from thirteen localities. Cataglyphis aenescens, Lasius lasioides, Lasius neglectus, Formica lusatica, and Liometopum microcephalum are new to Iran.
Key words. Formicidae, fauna, new records, Middle East, Iran.
Zoology in the Middle East 40, 2007: 85-90. | Abstract (PDF) | Order article...
Gershom Levy
The first troglobite scorpion from Israel and a new chactoid family (Arachnida: Scorpiones)
Abstract. A new eyeless troglobite scorpion, Akrav israchanani n. sp., is described from inside karstic voids in Israel that form a completely isolated, old underground ecosystem with living populations of blind crustaceans and pseudoscorpions. The scorpions, of which no live specimen has yet been collected, prove to differ from all other scorpions and are placed in a new family, Akravidae. The possibility is addressed that the subterranean Akravidae are a relict of an old circum-tropical pattern of distribution that differs from the present temperate location of Israel.
Key words. Troglobite scorpion, karst fauna, subterranean fauna, new family, Israel, Middle East.
Zoology in the Middle East 40, 2007: 91-96. | Abstract (PDF) | Order article...
Mohammed Shokry, Ahmed Ammar
Recovery patterns of corals at Shabror Umm Gamar, Hurghada, Red Sea, Egypt, after the 1998 outbreak of Acanthaster planci
Abstract. Recovery patterns of corals were estimated after the Crown-of-thorns Starfish Acanthaster planci outbreak in 1998 at Shabror Umm Gamar, Hurghada, Egyptian Red Sea. The significance of using linear extrapolation was tested at ten sites by comparison with the actual average yearly recovery rates. A total of 15 permanent transects, each 10 m long, was monitored at 10 and 12 m depths at Shabror Umm Gamar for three years and the recovery rates were estimated by linear extrapolation. Ten other selected sites around Hurghada were monitored annually for nine years after the complete cessation of severe anchor damage. The recovery rates were estimated both by the actual annual recovery rate and by linear extrapolation. The recovery rate estimated by linear extrapolation did not differ significantly from the recovery rate of stony corals in the ten selected sites. However, an error of +7.69% to +17.5% increase in the extrapolated recovery rate exists and should be considered when handling the extrapolated recovery patterns of corals. Stony corals were characterised by having an extrapolated slow recovery time of 64.9 years in spite of the fast recovery rate (0.67 % cover/year), and this is virtually due to the substantial devastation caused by A. planci. By contrast, soft corals were characterised by having a fast recovery time (RT) and recovery rate (RR) as they are not preferred prey of the Crown-of-thorns Starfish. The correlation coefficient is negative between recovery time (RT) and recovery rate (RR), strong between RT and cover required for complete recovery (CR), and weak between CR and RR. Diversity had an estimated fast recovery time (RT) of 4.3 years, indicating that the space cleared by A. planci was utilized by a high number of species (high diversity) having a smaller size (low percent cover).
Key words. Coral reefs, Acanthaster planci, outbreak, recovery, Hurghada, Red Sea.
Zoology in the Middle East 40, 2007: 97-104. | Abstract (PDF) | Order article...
Short communications
Peter Cunningham
Morphological characteristics of the Spiny-tailed Lizard, Uromastyx aegyptius microlepis (Agamidae), from the United Arab Emirates
Zoology in the Middle East 40, 2007: 105-107. | Order article...
Brian W. Coad, Najah A. Hussain
First record of the exotic species Hemiculter leucisculus (Actinopterygii: Cyprinidae) in Iraq
Zoology in the Middle East 40, 2007: 107-109. | Order article...
Esmaile Shakman, Ragnar R. Kinzelbach
First record of the Mantis Shrimp, Erugosquilla massavensis (Kossmann, 1880), a Lessepsian migrant, in the coastal waters of Libya (Crustacea: Stomatopoda)
Zoology in the Middle East 40, 2007: 109-111. | Order article...
Vladimir Chikatunov, Tom Pavlicek
Passandridae (Coleoptera), a beetle family newly established in the Levant
Zoology in the Middle East 40, 2007: 111-112. | Order article...
Selma Seven, Mustafa Ozdemir
Acleris lacordairana (Duponchel, 1836) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), new for Turkey
Zoology in the Middle East 40, 2007: 113-114. | Order article...
Reza Zahiri, Bernhard Ploessl, Gerhard Tarmann
Ctenoplusia vittata (Wallengren, 1856) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): a new genus and species record for Iran
Zoology in the Middle East 40, 2007: 115. | Order article...
Mete Misirlioglu
New records of two peregrine megascolecid earthworms from Turkey (Oligochaeta: Megascolecidae)
Zoology in the Middle East 40, 2007: 116-117. | Order article...
Haji Gholi Kami, Mehregan Ebrahimi, Hamid Reza Esmaeili
First record of the Sea Turtle leech, Ozobranchus branchiatus, in Iranian coastal waters (Hirudinea: Rhynchobdellida)
Zoology in the Middle East 40, 2007: 118-119. | Order article...
Abdullah Bayram, Tarik Danisman, Nazife Yigit, Ilkay Corak, Zafer Sancak
New records for the Turkish araneo-fauna: Theridion varians Hahn, 1833, Dipoena melanogaster (C. L. Koch, 1837) and Achaearanea riparia (Blackwall, 1834) (Araneae: Theridiidae)
Zoology in the Middle East 40, 2007: 119-120. | Order article...