Sürdürülebilir Kalkınma Amaçları
Yayınlar
- MakaleAçık Erişim2026Core–Periphery Organization and Spatial Heterogeneity in Pseudopus apodus (Anguidae) Across Its Western Palearctic Range
Şahin, Mehmet Kürşat; Topal, Azra; Kurnaz, Muammer
Understanding the internal spatial structure of widely distributed species is fundamental for biogeographic theory and conservation practice, yet such structure is often masked by extent-based range metrics. We investigated the spatial organisation of Pseudopus apodus (Pallas, 1775), the largest limbless lizard of the Western Palearctic, using 3967 occurrence records spanning 1843–2025. Spatial point pattern analysis revealed a pronounced deviation from complete spatial randomness (Clark–Evans R = 0.105, p < 0.001), with strong fine-scale clustering. Kernel density estimation identified a clear core–periphery organisation: high-density core areas accounted for 30% of records but occupied only 22% of the total extent of occurrence (EOO). The discrepancy between EOO (~8.9 million km2) and area of occupancy (AOO; ~8944 km2) spanned three orders of magnitude, emphasising that only a small fraction of the species’ geographic envelope is actively occupied. Spatial heterogeneity was high (coefficient of variation ≈ 0.99), and core and peripheral occurrences were significantly segregated along both latitudinal and longitudinal gradients. The proportion of core records showed a weak positive temporal trend most plausibly attributable to sampling effort, particularly the recent expansion of citizen-science contributions, rather than to ecological processes. These findings demonstrate that P. apodus exhibits a compact spatial core embedded within a broad, sparsely occupied periphery, underscoring the limitations of EOO-based metrics in the conservation assessment of widely distributed reptiles. We emphasise that this structure is characterised using the density of occurrence records and therefore describes the observed spatial organisation of the available data rather than directly measured population density; ecological interpretations are accordingly framed as hypotheses requiring independent validation.
- MakaleYayıncıda açık erişim2026Blinking without eyelids: first video-documented evidence of a blink-like reflex in Ophisops elegans (Reptilia: Lacertidae)
Çelebi, Turan Meriç; Çelikağı, Yusuf; Kınay, Tuana; Kuyucu, Arda Cem; Kurnaz, Muammer; Şahin, Mehmet Kürşat
Eyelids play a crucial role in protecting the eyes of vertebrates; however, certain reptile species, such as Ophisops elegans, completely lack movable eyelids. In this study, we present the first video-documented evidence of a blink-like reflex in O. elegans, captured through endoscopic field observations and corroborated by laboratory video analysis. The observed movement consisted of a brief convex deformation of the ocular surface, lasting approximately 0.3 s and resembling a blink despite the presence of a fixed transparent brille. This behavior was observed once in the field and twice under controlled laboratory conditions. We propose that O. elegans may employ subtle contractions of the ocular musculature to mimic the protective function of blinking. These findings indicate a novel compensatory mechanism in eyelidless lizards and underscore the need for further research into ocular adaptations among reptiles.
- MakaleYalnız künye2025A record of the Lebanese Lizard (Phoenicolacerta laevis) in northern Türkiye: Evidence of possible human-mediated dispersal
Şahin, Mehmet Kürşat; Çetintaş, Ortaç; Yanchukov, Alexey; Kurnaz, Muammer
The Lebanese Lizard (Phoenicolacerta laevis), primarily native to the Levant region, has recently been discovered in isolated populations well beyond its known distribution. This study presents the first confirmed record of P. laevis along the Black Sea coast of northern Türkiye, specifically in the city of Karadeniz Ereğli, Zonguldak Province. Mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) sequence analyses revealed a high degree of genetic similarity (>99%) between the Karadeniz Ereğli specimens and those from both Andırın, Kahramanmaraş (within the species' native range in southern Türkiye) and Anaklia on Georgia's Black Sea coast, suggesting a shared origin. We propose that the presence of P. laevis in Karadeniz Ereğli is likely the result of human-mediated introduction, possibly via maritime trade, as the lizards were found restricted to the walls of a single building near a major port. A comparable introduction scenario has previously been suggested for the Anaklia population. The highly localized occurrence and absence of the species in neighboring areas indicate a recent introduction; however, the factors inhibiting further spread within the urban landscape remain unclear. This finding contributes to the broader understanding of species distribution dynamics and underscores the significant role of anthropogenic activity in facilitating the range expansion of non-native reptiles.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2025A Rare Case of Tail Bifurcation in Ophisops elegans from Western Anatolia; [Batı Anadolu’dan Ophisops elegans’ta Nadir Bir Kuyruk Çatallanması Vakası]
Bayram, Çağatay; Çelebi, Turan Meriç; Çevik, Emre; Kuyucu, Arda Cem; Kurnaz, Muammer; Şahin, Mehmet Kürşat
Tail autotomy is a common and highly effective defensive mechanism observed in many lizard species, allowing individuals to escape predators by shedding a portion of their tail. This behavior, while beneficial for survival, can sometimes result in typical outcomes during tail regeneration. One such rare disorder is tail bifurcation often due to incomplete or misdirected regenerative processes. On June 23, 2025, during fieldwork in the rural areas of Afyonkarahisar Province, a female snake-eyed lizard (Ophisops elegans), belonging to the Lacertidae family, was observed with a clearly bifurcated tail. The specimen was captured and examined briefly, and morphometric, biotic, and environmental data were recorded. Photographs were taken to document the anomaly, and the specimen was subsequently released in its habitat. This field observation contributes to the growing number of bifurcated tail reports in Lacertidae and emphasizes the value of in situ herpetological monitoring. Observations in this study enhance our understanding of caudal autotomy and tail regeneration and also provide insights into developmental biology, wound healing, and ecological implications of tail malformations in natural populations.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2024Potential geographic distribution and habitat utilization of Lacerta viridis (Squamata: Lacertidae) in northern Türkiye
Şahin, Mehmet Kürşat; Kurnaz, Muammer
The genus Lacerta, particularly the green lizard (Lacerta viridis), is a significant lizard group in the Western Palearctic. This study aims to predict its geographic range in Northern Türkiye and identify key habitat types based on the CORINE Land Cover classification. Occurrence records, gathered from published sources and on-site investigations, were analyzed using a 30 arc-second resolution layer and bioclimatic parameters from WorldClim v.2.1. The distribution was modeled in kuenm, and habitat use was assessed with generalized linear models. Results show that the green lizard’s occurrence is strongly influenced by precipitation dynamics and it prefers areas with little to no shade. These findings highlight the importance of precipitation in determining the species’ distribution and suggest further research on local dynamics for effective conservation.
- MakaleYalnız künye2023Climatic Niche Divergence and Conservatism Promote Speciation in Snake-Eyed Skinks (Sauria: Scincidae): New Insight into the Evolution and Diversification of Ablepharus Species
Vaissi, Somaye; Kurnaz, Muammer; Şahin, Mehmet Kürşat; Hernandez, Axel
The degree to which closely related species conserve or diverge in their niche characteristics may provide insight into evolutionary and diversification processes, as well as some understanding of broad-scale biogeographic patterns. In this study, we used an ensemble of 10 algorithms to predict the distributions of 12 Ablepharus species in geographical (G)-space for the recent time and the future (2081–2100) climate conditions. Niche overlap, equivalency, and similarity tests in environmental (E)-space were used to test niche divergence and conservatism. The consensus model showed that temperature seasonality (n = 6) and annual precipitation (n = 3) were the major factors predicting the distribution of 75% (9 out of 12) of the species. The ensemble models based on ssp585 predict that 83.33% of the species (n = 10) may have contracted their ranges, especially at lower altitudes along their southern margins. They may have also expanded northward during this period. However, in the ssp126, most species’ distribution ranges may remain unchanged despite contractions and expansions. Based on multivariate niche analyses, the distributions of 28 and 11 paired comparisons explored in this study significantly diverged and conserved. We found that closely related species inhabit different habitats and respond to their climatic characteristics, indicating that ecology has a significant influence on speciation.
- MakaleYalnız künye2022Hidden Diversity in a Narrow Valley: Description of New Endemic Palearctic Rock Lizard Darevskia (Squamata: Lacertidae) Species from Northeastern Turkey
Kurnaz, Muammer; Şahin, Mehmet Kürşat; Eroğlu, Ali İhsan
Darevskia is a particularly species-rich radiation of Palearctic rock lizards from the Caucasus region. Thanks to intense systematic and taxonomic research, the knowledge of species-level diversity within this genus has increased over the last quarter century. Here, we described a new species, Darevskia salihae sp. nov. from northeastern Turkey. The new taxon is differentiated from other nearby taxon by the low number of dorsal scales in the middle of the body, the shorter body length, and the absence of blue dots both on the lateral region above the forelimbs and on the margin of the ventral plates. In addition to their morphological differences, the new taxon is phylogenetically different from close groups. It is located in a separate subclade from the rudis-valentini-portschinskii subclade. This distinction is supported by both a high bootstrap value (100) and a high posterior probability value (1.00). These two subclades are separated from each other by a genetic distance of almost 4%. This separation is supported not only genetically and morphologically, but also geographically. Since the habitat of the new taxon is limited to a high mountain and a narrow valley, it does not provide an opportunity for a different Darevskia species to shelter because it creates geographical isolation. However, Darevskia parvula that live closest to the habitat of the new taxon live only at the habitat boundaries and do not enter areas where the new taxon is found. Therefore, it might be possible that while it was separated from the rudis-valentini-portschinskii group during the evolutionary transformation, it remained as a refuge and relict in a narrow area as a result of the collapse of the valleys and the partial uplift of the Kaçkar Mountains.
- MakaleYalnız künye2021Contribution to the taxonomic knowledge of acanthodactylus (Squamata, lacertidae): Description of a new lacertid lizard species from eastern anatolia, turkey
Kurnaz, Muammer; Şahin, Mehmet Kürşat
Acanthodactylus Wiegmann, 1834 is one of the most diverse and widespread lizard genus in the Palearctic realm. Here, we describe a new species, - Acanthodactylus ilgazi sp. nov. - from the Anatolian Peninsula. This new species ranges approximately 250 km north from the closest population of this genus in Turkey. Compared to other fringe-fingered lizards, the new species is phylogenetically close to A. robustus, A. tristrami and A. orientalis but it has some distinct morphological characteristics: Reddish coloration under the tail, a sharp white or grayish stripe in the middle of the dorsum, and four plates in a row on the 4th finger. Moreover, phylogenetic molecular data, based on cyt b gene fragment, verifies that the new species is phylogenetically a member of the tristrami species group with 13.03%, 17.35% and 20.56 genetic distance respectively from A. orientalis, A. tristrami and A. robustus. Lastly, the known range of this species, located in Yazıhan, Malatya in Eastern Anatolia, is restricted by a dam, thus habitat loss endangers its continuity. Therefore, the conservation status of this species should be assessed immediately.
- MakaleYayıncıda açık erişim2021A contribution to the biogeography and taxonomy of two anatolian mountain brook newts, neurergus barani and n. Strauchii (amphibia: Salamandridae) using ecological niche modeling
Kurnaz, Muammer; Şahin, Mehmet Kürşat
The Anatolian newt, Neurergus strauchii, is an endemic Anatolian species. Until recently, N. strauchii was represented by three subspecies. It has been discussed within a recent phylogenetic study in which the subspecies N. s. barani is recommended to be evaluated as a cryptic but distinct species. To address this subject, we aimed to discuss the niche differentiation between N. barani and N. strauchii using geographical and bioclimatic aspects. All georeferenced data of N. barani and N. strauchii were used to estimate the potential distributions of these species in the Anatolian Peninsula. To evaluate their ecological niche differentiation, point-based analysis and niche similarity tests were done. Ecological niche modeling outcomes demonstrated a significant niche differentiation between N. barani and N. strauchii. Moreover, since these species are distributed in the east and west of the Euphrates Basin, this river might be considered as a geographic barrier that can cause isolation for these species. Lastly, we demonstrated their potential distributions for future with several scenarios. Our findings strengthened the results of the recent phylogenetic study and indicated the necessity of handling “barani” taxa at the species level. Moreover, these results contribute, as a piece of evidence, to the biodiversity of Anatolia where another endemic species lives.