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Zoology in the Middle East Volume 42, 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) |
Mounir R. Abi-Said, Diana Marrouche Abi-Said
Abstract. Striped Hyaenas (Hyaena hyaena syriaca) remain widely distributed across Lebanon, as revealed from a compilation of sources ranging from newspapers, to oral and official ministerial reports. They were observed in both urban and rural sites, and across non-protected and protected areas in all governorates, except in the densely populated capital Beirut. Interactions between Striped Hyaenas and people were studied in six identified sites representing a range of ecological, socio-economic and conservation-related conditions. Indirect signs determined by transect surveys of Striped Hyaenas, including footprints, hairs and scats, which were conducted from September 2002 to August 2003, indicate differences in the relative abundance of Striped Hyaenas between the different study sites. Very few indirect signs of Striped Hyaenas were noted in the two nature reserves studied, with more signs outside of these reserves in both urban and rural settings.
Key words. Striped Hyaena, Hyaena hyaena syriaca, distribution, Lebanon, urban, rural, nature reserves
Zoology in the Middle East 42, 2007: 3-14
Teoman Kankilic, Tolga Kankilic, Reyhan Colak, Ercument Colak, Ahmet Karatas
Karyological comparison of populations of the Spalax leucodon Nordmann, 1840 superspecies (Rodentia: Spalacidae) in Turkey
Abstract. One hundred and seventy-seven specimens of Spalax leucodon Nordmann, 1840 from 41 localities in Turkey were examined for their karyologicalfeatures. Nine karyotypic forms were recorded. 2n= 50, NF= 72, NFa= 68 was recorded from Bayburt, Erzincan, Giresun, and Rize, 2n= 54, NF= 74, NFa= 70 from Kırıkkale, 2n= 52, NF= 70, NFa= 66 from Bolu, and 2n= 56, NF= 72, NFa= 68 and 2n= 60, NF= 78, NFa= 74 from Isparta. Based on an extensive literature review, it was shown that the karyotypic form 2n= 60 has the widest distribution in the subspecies cilicicus, while the form 2n= 50 has the widest distribution in the subspecies nehringi. The subspecies nehringi was also found in the area of Kırıkkale in Inner Anatolia for the first time. A map of all the karyotypes is given, based on literature data and our own results.
Key words. Spalax leucodon, karyology, distribution, evolution, Turkey, Middle East.
Zoology in the Middle East 42, 2007: 15-24
Boris Krystufek, Vladimir Vohralik
Distribution of field mice (Apodemus) (Mammalia: Rodentia) in Anatolia
Abstract. We mapped the distribution of three sibling Apodemus species in Anatolia: Apodemus witherbyi, A. uralensis and A. flavicollis. Apodemus witherbyi is the most widespread and A. uralensis has the smallest range, being restricted to the Black Sea Mountains as far west as Mt. Uludağ. A. flavicollis inhabits the Black Sea Mountains, Aegean Anatolia, and Taurus, and is the most common species in Hatay. In a sample of 1,885 small mammals collected throughout Anatolia, the three Apodemus species contributed 51.6% to the total rodent number and 78.2% to all Murinae combined. They were by far the most abundant murins in the Black Sea Mountains (90.3%), where all three species are broadly sympatric. We provide a determination key for the identification of these species in Anatolia.
Key words: Turkey, Sylvaemus, Apodemus flavicollis, Apodemus uralensis, Apodemus witherbyi, abundance, determination key.
Zoology in the Middle East 42, 2007: 25-36
Ibrahim H. Mamkhair, Fauzi F. Samara, Adwan H. Shehab
Morphological characteristics of the Libyan Jird, Meriones libycus Lichtenstein, 1823 (Rodentia: Gerbillinae), in Syria
Abstract. Twenty-nine adult specimens of the Libyan Jird, Meriones libycus, were collected from semi-arid areas to the east and north of Damascus city. The external morphology and biometric measurements for these specimens are discussed. Skull, cheek tooth structure, phallus, glans penis and baculum shape are illustrated. In contrast to the other species of the genus Meriones, the first upper molar M1 has four roots instead of three. The specimens studied are referred to the subspecies M. l. syrius.
Key words. Libyan jird, Meriones libycus, Mammals, Rodentia, Syria.
Zoology in the Middle East 42, 2007: 37-46
Abdel Razzaq Al-Hmoud, Mohammed Janaydeh, Said Damhoureyeh, Fares Khoury
Inter-locality variation in the reproductive ecology of the Linnet, Carduelis cannabina (Linnaeus, 1758) (Aves: Fringillidae), in Jordan
Abstract. The breeding ecology of Linnets (Carduelis cannabina bella) was studied at three study areas in open Mediterranean scrub habitats and in large and irrigated olive plantations located in an arid environment. Breeding parameters at all of the study areas (clutch size, incubation and nestling periods, number of broods per season) were within the range described for other southern populations. Accessibility to a rich food supply at the onset of the breeding season, which coincided with the end of the rainy season, a constant water supply and the presence of woody plants with foliage providing some concealment, appeared to be important cues in the selection of nesting sites by Linnets at the study areas. In the study area with a Mediterranean climate, Linnets built their nests in native shrubs and dwarf shrubs, while in the olive plantations Linnets built nests in young olives and conifers, as well as mature olive trees. Reproductive success did not vary significantly among the study areas, although it appeared to be higher in mature olive plantations than in young plantations. Nest concealment was related to nesting success in two study areas and the main cause of nest failure was predation at all three sites. Our results suggest that Linnets colonizing novel habitats in arid regions retain responses to certain environmental cues when selecting nesting sites and that these responses have evolved in the natural habitats in which the species is confronted with a rich guild of nest-predators.
Key words. Breeding parameters, nesting success, novel habitat, Carduelis cannabina, Jordan, Middle East.
Zoology in the Middle East 42, 2007: 47-58
Mohammed Shobrak
On the nesting status of some seabirds in Djibouti
Abstract. During a survey of sea birds on the islands off Djibouti in July 2002, nine species were found to be breeding. The islets associated with Musha and Maskali islands showed more diversity in numbers and species than Les Sept Frres islands. The endemic White-eyed Gull was more abundant on these islets, with 84.4% of the total number recorded. By contrast, there were more Sooty Gulls on Les Sept Frres islands than on the islets associated with Musha and Maskali islands. The Brown Booby was observed breeding only on the cliffs of Les Sept Frres islands. Terns had just started to breed at the time of the survey and could therefore not be assessed completely. The breeding of White-cheeked Terns could be confirmed. The threats to the breeding colonies on the islands are discussed.
Key words. Africa, seabirds, avifauna, sea bird colonies.
Zoology in the Middle East 42, 2007: 59-66
Nasrullah Rastegar-Pouyani, Hiwa Faizi
Geographic variation in the skull morphology of Trachylepis aurata transcaucasica Chernov, 1926 (Sauria: Scincidae) in the Zagros Mountains, Western Iran
Abstract. A total of 52 dry skulls of the Golden Skink, Trachylepis aurata transcaucasica, were compared from four provinces (West Azarbaijan, Kurdistan, Kermanshah, Loristan) in the Zagros Mountains. Post-ANOVA pairwise analysis (LSD) as well as two multivariate analyses including Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Canonical Variate Analysis (DFA) of 36 cranial and dental characteristics across all groups verified significant differences in some characters. Discriminant analysis confirms that all four populations, to a greater or lesser extent, have tendencies to differ from each other.
Key words. Scincidae, Trachylepis aurata transcaucasica, skull morphology, Zagros Mountains, Iranian Plateau.
Zoology in the Middle East 42, 2007: 67-74
Janko Kolarov, Hassan Ghahari
A study of the Iranian Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera): II. Brachycyrtinae and Cryptinae
Abstract. Faunistic data for 26 species of Brachycyrtinae and Cryptinae are given. Of these, the subfamily Brachycyrtinae and 18 Cryptinae species are new for the Iranian fauna. A zoogeographic characterisation is proposed for each species.
Key words. Brachycyrtinae, Cryptinae, Ichneumonidae, Iran, Middle East, new records, zoogeography.
Zoology in the Middle East 42, 2007: 75-78
Shahrooz Kazemi, Jeno Kontschan
A review of the Uropodina mite fauna (Acari: Mesostigmata) of Iran and description of two new species
Abstract. Two new species of Uropodina mites, Oplitis iranicus n. sp. and Neodiscopoma persica n. sp., are described from Iran. To date, 21 species of Uropodina mites have been recorded from Iran.
Key words. Uropodina, fauna, new species, Iran.
Zoology in the Middle East 42, 2007: 79-82
Ralph O. Schill, Frauke Huhn, Heinz-R. Kohler
The first record of tardigrades (Tardigrada) from the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt
Abstract. Tardigrades were found in the high mountain wadi systems of the St. Katherine protectorate in the south of the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. Specimens were collected during the months of December 2003 and January 2004, when temperatures are often below zero. Thulinius ruffoi (Bertolani, 2003) was found for the first time and exclusively in the cyst stage and was distributed frequently in moss from higher altitude wadis. The distribution and abundance of the two other species, Cornechiniscus lobatus (Ramazzotti, 1943) and Echniniscus testudo var. quadrifilis (Doyre, 1840), however, seem to be more influenced by unknown microclimatic factors and food availability.
Key words. Diversity, ecology, Eutardigrada, Heterotardigrada, Tardigrada, wadi, cyst, water bear.
Zoology in the Middle East 42, 2007: 83-88
Marc Kochzius
Community structure of coral reef fishes in El Quadim Bay (El Quseir, Egyptian Red Sea coast)
Abstract. This study investigates the community structure of fishes on the coral reef in El Quadim Bay, in order to obtain baseline data for a regular monitoring programme. A total of 16,683 fishes, representing 111 shallow-water species belonging to 47 genera and 31 families, was counted at 12 transects. Multivariate analysis indicates significant differences between the fish communities of the left side and right side of bay, as well as at different depths. This might be due to different exposure to wave action. The fish community in El Quadim Bay is very similar to those in undisturbed reefs and marine reserves in the Red Sea.
Key words. Multivariate statistics, species composition, ichthyofauna, reef fauna, biodiversity.
Zoology in the Middle East 42, 2007: 89-98
Short Communications
Gianlucca Serra, Mahmud Scheisch Abdallah, Ghazy Al Qaim
Occurrence of Rppells Fox, Vulpes rueppelli, and Sand Cat, Felis margarita, in Syria
Zoology in the Middle East 42, 2007: 99-101
James M. Bishop, Talal Deshti, Saud Al-Ayoub
The Arabian Gulfs first record of the Olive Ridley, Lepidochelys olivacea, from Kuwait
Zoology in the Middle East 42, 2007: 102-103
Derya Canpolat, Martin Lillig, Abdullah Hasbenli
Accanthopus velikensis (Piller & Mitterpacher, 1783) new to the Turkish fauna (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)
Zoology in the Middle East 42, 2007: 104-105
Francisco Sanchez Pinero
First record of the dung beetle Catharsius sesostris Waterhouse, 1888 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Jordan
Zoology in the Middle East 42, 2007: 105
Bekir Keskin
A new species of the genus Otiorhynchus Germar, 1822 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) from Western Anatolia
Zoology in the Middle East 42, 2007: 106-109
Saber Khodabandeh, Alaleh Golzari, Jafar Seyfabadi
Occurrence of the Tadpole Shrimp, Triops cancriformis (Bosc, 1801) (Crustacea: Notostraca), in Iran
Zoology in the Middle East 42, 2007: 109-110
Cengiz Kocak, Tuncer Katagan
A pycnogonid species new for the Turkish fauna:
Pycnogonum nodulosum Dohrn, 1881 (Arthropoda: Pycnogonidae)
Zoology in the Middle East 42, 2007: 110-112
Majid Moradmand, Alireza Sari
New record of the hermit crab Pagurus kulkarnii Sankolli, 1961 (Anomura: Paguridae) from the Gulf of Oman, Iran
Zoology in the Middle East 42, 2007: 112-114
Yunus Omer Boyaci
A species of water mite of the genus Atractides Koch, 1837 (Acari: Hydrachnidia) new for the Turkish fauna
Zoology in the Middle East 42, 2007: 115-117
Rasit Urhan
Zercon inonunensis n. sp. (Acari: Zerconidae) from Turkey
Zoology in the Middle East 42, 2007: 117-120
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Zoology in the Middle East