|
|
Zoology in the Middle East Volume 41, 2007
ISSN 0939-7140 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) |
Mohammad S. Farhadinia, Hossein Akbari, Mohammad Beheshti, Arash Sadeghi
Ecology and status of the Caracal, Caracal caracal, (Carnivora: Felidae), in the Abbasabad Naein Reserve, Iran
Abstract. A Caracal survey was carried out between 2002 and 2006 in the Abbasabad Reserve, which covers more than 300,000 ha in eastern Esfahan province and which is one of the best habitats for this species in Iran. It was found to occur mainly in desert mountains and hilly terrain where rodents and hares are abundant. 80% of direct observations were made from solitary individuals and the remainder in groups of two. Although rodents, hares and ground birds form the main part of the Caracal diet in Abbasabad Reserve, it is also a serious threat to the small livestock belonging to local people. Sometimes the Caracal tries to catch wild ungulates.
Key words. Caracal, Caracal caracal, Abbasabad Reserve, Iran, ecology, diet.
Zoology
in the Middle East 41, 2007: 5-10
Igor G. Khorozyan, Alexei V. Abramov
The Leopard, Panthera pardus, (Carnivora: Felidae) and its resilience to human pressure in the Caucasus
Abstract. Widespread in the Caucasus until the mid-19th century, the Leopard, Panthera pardus, has become extinct in many areas of this region but is still able to survive in some others. We have compiled a database of 218 Leopard records dated 1861-2007 throughout the Caucasus (Russian North Caucasus, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia). Of these, 77 records of killings, 4 records of photo-captures (10 pictures), and 8 records of scat origin proof by faecal bile acid thin-layer chromatography were used as the most reliable indicators of the Leopards presence. We discuss the history of the Leopards postglacial emergence in the Caucasus, its habitats, scales of eradication, trends in Leopard extermination measures and range shrinkage within the study period, in separate sections under each of the four countries of the Caucasus. All recent and current Leopard records in the Caucasus are confined to central and eastern parts of the North Caucasus, south-eastern and north-eastern Georgia, south-eastern and western parts of Azerbaijan, and south-western and southern Armenia. All these parts of the range, except for the Talysh Mts in Azerbaijan, must be connected with southern Armenia which, in its turn, is linked with the much larger population in north-western Iran. The Talysh Mts stand isolated from the Caucasus Mountains and are directly linked with Iran.
Key words. Leopard, Caucasus, distribution, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan.
Zoology
in the Middle East 41, 2007: 11-24.
Pooneh Rasooli, Bahram H. Kiabi, Asghar Abdoli
On the status and biology of the European Otter, Lutra lutra (Carnivora: Mustelidae), in Iran
Abstract. In their natural habitats, the Chub (Alburnoides bipunctatus) with 38.1% and the Carp (Cyprinus carpio) with 34.8% comprise the major food items of the European Otter in Iran, whereas in fish farms carps dominate with 71.3%. It is estimated that 1-3 Otters are killed annually in each fish farm in Iran. The Otter needs full protection due to the high mortality caused by fish farmers around the country. Illegal shooting, habitat degradation and river pollution have been recognised as the major factors which adversely affect the Otter population. The cranial measurements of 21 specimens are given. CBL for males and females were 118.4 mm and 111.6 mm on average, respectively. No differences could be found when compared with published results from European countries.
Key words. Conservation, biology, habitat, food habits,cranial measurements, morphology.
Zoology
in the Middle East 41, 2007: 25-30
Aziz Aslan, Ali Erdogan
On the distribution of the White-spectacled Bulbul, Pycnonotus xanthopygos (Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1833), in Turkey
Abstract. According to a study performed between 2001 and 2003, the White-spectacled Bulbul is mainly distributed in the coastal Mediterranean region of Turkey and extends from Patara/Gelemiş near Kaş in the west to Trkoğlu in Kahramanmaraş province in the east. The vertical distribution extends from sea level to 1260 m in the non-breeding season. In the breeding season, the species has its highest density in the coastal area up to 400 m a.s.l. The highest nesting area was found at Belen in the Amanus Mountains at 740 m. The main areas of occurrence are the Antalya lowlands, the ukurova and the coastal band of Hatay where dense populations are found. Low densitiy is found in particular in the areas of Ermenek (south-central Anatolia) and Nurdağı (southeastern Anatolia).
Key words. Distribution, occurrence, range, White-spectacled Bulbul, Yellow-vented Bulbul.
Zoology in the Middle East 41, 2007: 31-34. | Abstract (PDF) | Order article...
Omar Attum, Mohamad M. Esawy, Wissam E. Farag, Ahmad E. Gad, Sherif M. Baha El Din, Bruce Kingsbury
Returning them back to the wild: Movement patterns of repatriated Egyptian Tortoises, Testudo kleinmanni Lortet, 1883 (Sauropsida: Testudinidae)
Abstract. This paper reports the movement patterns of two hard released, repatriated Egyptian Tortoises, Testudo kleinmanni, into Omayed Protectorate, Egypt. Upon release, both tortoises immediately dispersed away from the release point. The maximum dispersal distances from the release site were 1455 m and 1131 m. These tortoises had exceedingly large activity ranges (mean 72.2 ha) which were roughly 10 times the size recorded for other T. kleinmanni populations. There was also some spatial overlap and potential competition with livestock for vegetation, as 35 % of tortoise relocations were found within 2 m of livestock tracks. We suggest that any future tortoise repatriations into Omayed Protectorate should consider methods such as soft releases that could potentially reduce the initial long distance dispersals and the exceptionally large activity ranges
Key words. Repatriation, reintroduction, hard release, release site dispersal, Testudo kleinmanni, Egypt.
Zoology in the Middle East 41, 2007: 35-40. | Abstract (PDF) | Order article...
Adel A. Ibrahim
Ecology of the Mediterranean Gecko, Hemidactylus turcicus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Reptilia: Gekkonidae), in North Sinai, Egypt
Abstract. Aspects of the ecology of Hemidactylus turcicus were studied on the campus of Suez Canal University at Al-Arish, north Sinai, Egypt, from January 2001 to December 2002. Lizards were very often encountered on fences and building walls and were commonly observed in horizontal and vertical positions. Lizards were active from March to November and on warm nights in winter; they started their activity after complete darkness and displayed a unimodal pattern. Their activity differed between the seasons. Lepidoptera were the most important food taken by lizards in terms of volume, frequency of occurrence and the index of relative importance. The highest number of food categories was recorded in spring and the lowest in winter. Food types differed according to locality. The reproductive season extended from March to August. The testes of adult males were enlarged from March to July with maximum size and mass during May and minimum during August.
Key words. Ecology, Hemidactylus turcicus, Sinai, Egypt.
Zoology in the Middle East 41, 2007: 41-54. | Abstract (PDF) | Order article...
Harald Ahnelt, Brian W. Coad, Asghar Abdoli, Hossein Piri Zirkohy
Gobiid fishes of the genera Chasar, Mesogobius and Neogobius (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from Iran (South Caspian Basin)
Abstract. The neogobiine fishes Chasar bathybius, Mesogobius nonultimus, Neogobius caspius and Neogobius syrman are reported from the Caspian Basin of Iran. These four gobiid species are rarely found in the southern part of the Caspian Sea. In this study the first documented records of these species are presented for Iran.
Key words. Gobiidae, neogobiines, rare species, new records, Caspian Sea, Iran.
Zoology
in the Middle East 41, 2007: 55-62
Salim Serkan Guclu, Ismail Ibrahim Turna, Zekiye Guclu, Iskender Gulle
Population structure and growth of Aphanius anatoliae sureyanus Neu, 1937 (Osteichthyes: Cyprinodontidae), endemic to Burdur Lake, Turkey
Abstract. The age, sex and body size of the killifish Aphanius anatoliae sureyanus Neu, 1937 have been studied at Burdur Lake, to which it is endemic. Females made up 16.7%, males 25.9% and young individuals 57.4% of the population. Data on the length-weight relationship and the Bertalanffy growth formula are given. Arctodiaptomus burduricus and Brachionus plicatilis are the main food resources.
Key words. Burdur Lake, Aphanius anatoliae sureyanus, growth characteristics, diet.
Zoology
in the Middle East 41, 2007: 63-70
Michael R. Warburg, Keren-Or Amar, Dana Davidson, Liraz Sayag, Yael Schwartz, Bina Tudiver, Hadas Yifrach
Long-term study on a brachyuran crab community (Crustacea: Decapoda) inhabiting a boulder shore in the Eastern Mediterranean: relative abundance
Abstract. A crab community inhabiting a cobble shore was studied from samples taken on 41 collecting trips in six individual years over a long period of 16 years (1984-1999). The aim of this long-term study was to find whether oscillations in abundance can be distinguished from decline in numbers. Quantitative changes taking place in the relative abundance of the four most common species during that period are described. Thus, 352 Pachygrapsus transversus, 233 P. marmoratus, 48 Eriphia verrucosa and 155 Xantho poressa specimens were collected throughout the study. Some oscillations were observed in the relative abundance of both Pachygrapsus species and in E. verrucosa. In X. poressa a marked decline was noticeable after 1986. The sex ratio was male-biased in most cases except in P. marmoratus and in E. verrucosa in August. Since apparently no major change took place in the habitat itself, the main conclusion of this study is that the fluctuations in relative abundance of all species may be due to fluctuations in the sex ratio that occur naturally. Thus, the fact that during five months no E. verrucosa females were found is sufficient to effect such fluctuations in their population numbers. On the other hand, the decline in Xantho populations after 1986 could have its cause in the zoea larvae that were somehow affected, with the consequence that fewer megalops settled successfully in that specific habitat.
Key words. Crab assemblages, community ecology, Eastern Mediterranean, Xantho, Eriphia, Pachygrapsus.
Zoology
in the Middle East 41, 2007: 71-80
Fariba Mozaffarian, Alimorad Sarafrazi, Gadir Nouri Ganbalani, Ardeshir Ariana
Morphological variation among Iranian populations of the Carob Moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Zeller, 1839) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
Abstract. The Carob moth (Ectomyelois ceratoniae) is the most important pest of pomegranates in Iran. In order to evaluate the morphological variation of the pest among different geographic populations, the larvae were collected from infested pomegranates at 14 localities in Iran and reared to adult. Using the landmark-based geometric morphometrics method, variation in wing shape and size and allometric relationships were documented. Mantel tests showed a general correlation between geographic and morphological distances. Some morphological distances with the greatest deviation from this correlation were detected using regression fitted line, and the probable causal factors (e.g. reduced gene flow, isolation) on morphological distances are discussed.
Key words. Carob moth, geometric morphometrics, geographic variation, Ectomyelois ceratoniae.
Zoology in the Middle East 41, 2007: 81-92. | Abstract (PDF) | Order article...
Mostafa R. Sharaf
Monomorium dentatum sp. n., a new ant species from Egypt (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) related to the fossulatum-group
Abstract. Monomorium dentatum sp. n. is described and illustrated from Egypt, based on the worker caste collected in different parts of the country. It belongs to the Monomorium fossulatum-group, with closest resemblance to M. sersalatum Bolton and M. thrascoleptum Bolton.
Key words. Worker ant, North African fauna, alpha taxonomy.
Zoology
in the Middle East 41, 2007: 93-98
Wilson R. Loureno, Jian-Xin Qi
Description of a new species of the genus Hottentotta Birula, 1908 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Iraq
Abstract. A new species of scorpion, Hottentotta mesopotamicus sp. n. (Buthidae), is described. The type material was collected in the area of Zakhu in the northern region of Iraq. The new species is partly associated with other large species of the genus such as Hottentotta saulcyi (Simon, 1880).
Key words. Scorpion, new species, Hottentotta mesopotamicus sp. n., Iraq, Middle East.
Zoology
in the Middle East 41, 2007: 99-104
Rasit Urhan
Zercon carpathicus Sellnick, 1958 (Acari: Zerconidae), a species of mite new for the Turkish fauna
Abstract. Zercon carpathicus Sellnick, 1958 is recorded from Turkey for the first time. The distribution area thus extends much further south than was previously known. The morphological characters of this species are reviewed and figures are drawn. Its geographic distribution is given.
Key words. Acari, taxonomy, Zerconidae, Zercon carpathicus, Turkey.
Zoology
in the Middle East 41, 2007: 105-108
Short communications
Joseph Fawzi Azar, Ibrahim Al Hasani, Keita Nishimura
The Demoiselle Crane, Anthropoides virgo (Linnaeus, 1758) (Aves: Gruidae), new to Jordan
Zoology
in the Middle East 41, 2007: 109-110
Edgardo C. Delima, Afaf Al-Nasser
New record of the Web-footed Sand Gecko, Stenodactylus arabicus (Haas, 1957) (Sauria: Gekkonidae), from Kuwait
Zoology
in the Middle East 41, 2007: 111-112
Hikmet Özbek, Sinan Anlaş
New records for some Turkish Scoliidae (Hymenoptera)
Zoology
in the Middle East 41, 2007: 112-114
Alinaghi Mirmoayedi
Records of three species of Ant-lions (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae), new for the fauna of Iran
Zoology
in the Middle East 41, 2007: 115-117
Sayed Abbas Moravvej, Mikhail Potapov, Karim Kamali, Sayed Hossein Hodjat
Isotomidae (Collembola) of the Tehran region (Iran)
Zoology
in the Middle East 41, 2007: 118
Nuray (Emir) Akbulut, Murat Kaya
Records of species of Lecane Nitzsch, 1827 new for the Turkish rotifer fauna (Ploima, Lecanidae)
Zoology
in the Middle East 41, 2007: 119-120