Sürdürülebilir Kalkınma Amaçları
Yayınlar
- Derleme MakaleAçık Erişim2026Nanoplastic Translocation Across Biological Barriers (Blood-Brain, Placental, Intestinal): Transport Mechanisms, Tissue-Specific Vulnerabilities, and a Corona-Driven Barrier Selectivity Framework
Berber, Ahmet Ali; Yildiz, Esra; Berber, Nurcan; Kurnaz, Muammer; Kenanoglu, Nihan Akinci
Nanoplastics (NPs; <= 1 & micro;m) have been detected in human placenta, blood, lung, atherosclerotic plaque, testis, semen, olfactory bulb, and brain, shifting the field from environmental description toward mechanistic interrogation of barrier crossing. This review synthesises current evidence on NP translocation across the intestinal epithelium, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the placental syncytiotrophoblast. We distinguish four evidence categories throughout the review: detection, association, mechanism, and causality. We also apply model-system labels (in silico, in vitro, ex vivo, animal, and human) to every mechanistic claim, so that the strength of each statement can be read off directly. Most current studies use pristine polystyrene nanoplastics at concentrations 3-6 orders of magnitude above plausible human exposure, so the mechanistic conclusions below are hypothesis-generating for human disease rather than definitive. We propose a working conceptual framework-corona-driven barrier selectivity (CDBS)-in which the particle-corona-surface complex, rather than the bare polymer, is hypothesised to dictate which receptor and transport machinery (TfR1, LRP1, FcRn, P-gp/BCRP, caveolae) each barrier engages. CDBS is offered as a hypothesis-stage organising tool requiring experimental validation, not as an established mechanism. We outline reported transport modes, including clathrin- and caveolin-mediated endocytosis, paracellular leakage via ROS-induced tight-junction disassembly, receptor-mediated transcytosis, and the candidate olfactory route. We emphasise that pristine polystyrene-bead doses commonly exceed plausible human exposure by 3-6 orders of magnitude, that detection methods underestimate sub-micrometre particles, and that causal links between NPs and human disease remain hypothesis-generating. A research agenda built on weathered reference materials, microphysiological systems, and integrative human biomarker science is proposed.
- Derleme MakaleAçık Erişim2026Microplastic Contamination in Amphibians and Reptiles: An Ecotoxicological Synthesis of Exposure, Mechanisms, and Risk Implications
Berber, Ahmet Ali; Akbulut, Cansu; Demir, Sefika Nur; Kurnaz, Muammer
Microplastic (MP) contamination has become a defining feature of twenty-first century environmental change, yet the toxicological and ecological consequences for amphibians and reptiles-two vertebrate classes already facing severe extinction pressures-remain fragmented across taxa, regions, and methodological traditions. Here, we synthesize field and experimental evidence from five continents to provide a taxonomically balanced, mechanistically grounded, and geographically explicit assessment of MP exposure, bioaccumulation, and toxicity in herpetofauna, drawing on a structured literature search in Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed (January 2015-March 2026). Field detection rates of MPs in amphibian larvae range from 26% in conservatively screened Central European populations to 73-80% in anuran tadpoles from high-anthropogenic-pressure Anatolian catchments, with fibrous polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP) particles dominating the detected burden. Mechanistic evidence converges on oxidative stress cascades, hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis disruption, gut and cutaneous microbiome dysbiosis, and compromised antiviral and antifungal immunity, with the latter potentially amplifying vulnerability to Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and to ranavirus. Among reptiles, sea turtles display near-universal MP ingestion with documented maternal transfer to eggs; freshwater turtles, terrestrial squamates, and crocodilians remain critically understudied. Three structural asymmetries constrain current ecotoxicological risk characterization: taxonomic bias toward anurans and sea turtles, geographic bias toward the Global North, and experimental bias toward acute, supra-environmental laboratory exposures using pristine, single-polymer particles that fail to capture the chemical complexity of weathered field mixtures. We argue that MP burden may warrant consideration as a candidate stressor criterion within IUCN Red List assessments and within environmental risk assessment frameworks for freshwater and terrestrial biodiversity once a robust quantitative relationship between MP burden and demographic decline or population-level fitness has been established, and propose six hypothesis-driven research priorities: methodological standardization, reptile toxicokinetics, transgenerational epigenetics, MP-pathogen microbiome interactions and their translation into population viability models, temperature & times; MP interaction under climate warming, and population-genetic consequences of contemporary MP-driven selection, as the most tractable avenues for ecotoxicological progress and for the development of herpetofauna-specific risk characterization frameworks.
- Derleme MakaleYalnız künye2026Marine microsporidia: Hidden diversity, aquatic emergence and zoonotic risks
Bekircan, Çağrı; Kurnaz, Muammer
Marine Microsporidia represent an increasingly important but historically underestimated group of aquatic intracellular parasites. Although traditionally associated with invertebrates and fishes, recent molecular and environmental studies have revealed extensive hidden diversity across marine ecosystems together with unexpected phylogenetic links between aquatic and human-associated lineages. This review synthesizes five decades of research (1975–2025) concerning the biology, evolution, taxonomy, host–pathogen interactions, ecological diversity, and zoonotic significance of marine Microsporidia. Particular emphasis is placed on members of the Enterocytozoonidae, including Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei, Nucleospora spp., and Desmozoon lepeophtherii, which represent major threats to aquaculture sustainability and may contribute to cross-environmental transmission pathways. Environmental DNA studies further indicate that marine microsporidian diversity is substantially underestimated by morphology-based approaches. However, current evidence for zoonotic transmission remains largely indirect, resting chiefly on phylogenetic relatedness, shared genotypes across hosts and environmental (eDNA) detection; direct, seafood-borne human infection has not yet been demonstrated. Current evidence suggests that aquaculture intensification, climate-driven environmental change, and expanding seafood trade may facilitate the emergence and dissemination of zoonotic microsporidian lineages. Integrating marine Microsporidia into One Health surveillance frameworks is therefore increasingly important for both ecosystem and public health management.
- Derleme MakaleAçık Erişim2026Quaternary palaeoenvironmental archives of the Indian subcontinent and their imprint on herpetofaunal biogeography: A multi-proxy synthesis
Kurnaz, Muammer
This review presents the first integrated proxy, mechanism and biotic-response framework for the Indian Quaternary, linking the Subcontinent's dense network of palaeoenvironmental archives to the biogeographic trajectory of its endemic herpetofauna. Speleothem δ18O records, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal sediment cores, Karewa and peninsular lake sequences, Siwalik and Narmada alluvium, and Kurnool cave deposits together document Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) variability on orbital, millennial, centennial and historical timescales (the historical band here denoting the past ∼2000 years, resolved by dated speleothem and documentary records). Against this proxy backbone, the fossil and molecular phylogeographic record of Indian amphibians and reptiles is evaluated as a biogenic assemblage here, the body of biological evidence (fossils, subfossils and the phylogeographic signatures of living taxa) that, like pollen or foraminifera, records past environmental conditions that complements geological and climatological archives. Three patterns emerge. At orbital scale, ISM variability aligns with Plio–Pleistocene diversification slowdowns in Western Ghats ranoids and with the Late Pliocene lineage divergence of the Himalayan toad Duttaphrynus himalayanus across the Thakkhola basin. Abrupt Holocene excursions, including the 8.2 ka and 4.2 ka events, are resolved at high precision in speleothem and marine archives but remain untested against coalescent demographic inference in Indian herpetofauna. Late Pleistocene aridity, most severe at the Last Glacial Maximum, coincides with community-level impoverishment in peninsular cave faunas at Kurnool, although the available evidence establishes co-occurrence rather than a demonstrated causal role for aridity relative to co-varying thermal and vegetation change. Three proxy-calibrated research priorities follow: microvertebrate taphonomy in Narmada and Karewa sequences, population genomics tied to speleothem chronology, and species-distribution hindcasting to the LGM, mid-Holocene and 4.2 ka intervals. The synthesis contributes to a biogenic assessment of Quaternary-to-Recent climate impacts on life on the Indian Subcontinent, aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals 13 (Climate Action) and 15 (Life on Land), and supports future projections of amphibian and reptile response to ongoing change.
- 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.
- MakaleYalnız künye2026Spatial heterogeneity of microscopically detected Nosema spp. infection in honeybees: Climate-associated patterns in the Eastern Black Sea Region of Türkiye
Tosun, Onur; Bekircan, Çağrı; Kurnaz, Muammer
Nosemosis has emerged as the predominant microsporidian infection of honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) in many regions, including Türkiye, yet the climatic drivers of its epidemiology remain insufficiently quantified. This study assessed the effects of temperature and relative humidity on nosemosis prevalence across seven provinces in the climatically diverse Eastern Black Sea region. A dataset of 2688 colony-level observations was analyzed using generalized linear models, mixed-effects models, beta regression, generalized additive models, and spatial autocorrelation. Both temperature and humidity were consistently significant predictors (p < .001). Quadratic temperature terms and nonlinear GAM smooths were consistent with a thermal performance pattern, with infection peaking at intermediate ranges. Humidity exerted threshold-like effects, with disproportionately higher prevalence at upper quantiles. Province-level random effects accounted for ∼18% of variance, underscoring spatial heterogeneity, while elevation was not significant once climatic variables were included. Exploratory spatial analysis (Global Moran's I = −0.476, p = 0.043) tentatively suggested dispersion rather than clustering; however, given the very small number of spatial units (n = 7), this result should be regarded as hypothesis-generating only. The beta mixed-effects model achieved moderate predictive accuracy under cross-validation (RMSE ≈ 0.109). Collectively, these findings indicate that nosemosis prevalence in the region is strongly associated with climatic variability, exhibits nonlinear and threshold-like responses, and shows pronounced spatial heterogeneity. We emphasize that these are statistical associations and that unmeasured factors (e.g., colony strength, nutrition, pesticide exposure, management practices, and co-infections) likely contribute to the unexplained variance. By integrating hierarchical, nonlinear, and spatial approaches, this study establishes a climate-associated epidemiological assessment of nosemosis risk in A. mellifera and highlights the importance of localized climatic suitability under ongoing climate change.
- Derleme MakaleAçık Erişim2026Physiological responses and adaptive mechanisms of amphibians and reptiles to multiple interacting environmental stressors: an integrative review
Kurnaz, Muammer
This integrative review synthesizes current knowledge on the physiological responses and adaptive mechanisms of amphibians and reptiles to multiple interacting environmental stressors, with particular emphasis on synergistic effects among temperature, hydric stress, disease, and pollution. Given the stronger empirical basis for amphibians in the existing literature, amphibian responses are covered in greater depth, while reptile-specific physiology, immunology, and emerging infectious diseases are explicitly addressed in dedicated sections throughout the review. Critical thermal tolerance analyses reveal that approximately 7.5% of amphibian species will exceed their physiological limits under a 4 °C warming scenario, with tropical lowland species already operating near their CTmax thresholds. Thermal plasticity is limited, with acclimation responses averaging only 0.13 °C increase in CTmax per 1 °C environmental warming—insufficient to track rapid climate change. Water balance regulation shows dramatic interspecific variation, with cutaneous resistance ranging from 0.05 s/cm in aquatic amphibians to >1000 s/cm in desert-adapted reptiles. Synergistic interactions between thermal and hydric stress significantly amplify vulnerability, particularly in dehydration scenarios that reduce critical thermal limits. Chemical pollutants, including heavy metals and pesticides, cause developmental abnormalities (535% increase in malformation frequency), immunosuppression, and endocrine disruption across multiple life stages. Emerging infectious diseases, particularly chytridiomycosis (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and B. salamandrivorans) and ranaviruses, drive mass mortality events globally, with co-infections exacerbating population declines. Climate change intensifies disease susceptibility through stress-mediated immunosuppression and altered pathogen dynamics. Adaptive capacity varies markedly among species. While amphibians exhibit strong phenological responses (2-4× greater than other taxa), genetic adaptation potential remains limited by narrow dispersal abilities and habitat fragmentation. Microhabitat buffering can reduce thermal extremes by several degrees but depends critically on habitat structural integrity. This review demonstrates that the pace of anthropogenic change challenges the adaptive capacity of most species, necessitating integrated conservation strategies including microhabitat preservation, climate corridor establishment, pollution mitigation, disease surveillance, and ex-situ conservation programs.
- 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.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2026Citizen-Science Data Reveal Global Diversity Patterns in the Gecko Genus Hemidactylus
Kurnaz, Muammer; Berber, Ahmet Ali; Akbulut, Cansu
Understanding how species richness is distributed across space is a central goal of macroecology and biogeography. The gecko genus Hemidactylus ranks among the most speciose and broadly distributed of all squamate genera, with species spanning tropical and subtropical environments on most continents. Yet the large-scale structure of its diversity has rarely been examined at a global scale. Here we assembled georeferenced occurrence data for the genus from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF Access data is 14 March 2026) and, following cleaning and quality control, retained 143,858 records covering 157 currently recognized species (approximately 79% of the genus) to characterize broad-scale biodiversity patterns. Our analyses addressed the latitudinal diversity gradient, the distribution of species range sizes, continental richness, spatial clustering of diversity, and regional beta diversity. Richness declined steadily from the tropics toward the poles, producing a pronounced latitudinal diversity gradient (Pearson r = −0.71, p < 0.001). A generalized additive model captured a strong non-linear association between latitude and richness (deviance explained = 98.1%), consistent with tropical regions acting as principal centers of diversity. Range-size distributions were markedly right-skewed, with the majority of species restricted to comparatively small areas; however, these estimates co-varied strongly with per-species sampling effort (r = 0.90) and warrant cautious interpretation. We found only a weak, marginally significant association between range size and latitudinal midpoint, offering little support for Rapoport’s rule in the genus. At the continental scale, Hemidactylus diversity was overwhelmingly concentrated in Afro-Asian tropical regions (Asia, 93 species; Africa, 66), whereas Europe and Oceania supported few species (four each). Spatial analyses indicated significant autocorrelation in richness (Moran’s I = 0.56, p < 0.001) and well-defined diversity hotspots in East Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and Southeast Asia, and regional beta diversity was high (Jaccard dissimilarity up to 0.97), reflecting pronounced faunal turnover among continents.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2025Unusual Winter Activity of the Ottoman Viper (Montivipera xanthina) in Türkiye
Sahin, Mehmet Kursat; Kurnaz, Muammer; Bayram, Çağatay
The seasonal dynamics of reptile species and their responses to fluctuations in environmental temperature play a crucial role in their overall ecological functions. Reptiles are ectothermic organisms, meaning their activity levels are largely influenced by external temperatures. While most reptile species in temperate regions enter a state of hibernation during colder months, some exceptions may occur due to environmental changes. In this study, an unusual instance of winter activity was documented for Montivipera xanthina (Ottoman viper) in the Karalan-Eskişehir region of Turkey. A single individual was observed on November 2, 2024, at an ambient temperature of 18.6°C. This observation provides significant insights into the winter behaviors of reptiles, which are generally considered inactive during this period. A review of existing literature reveals no prior records of Montivipera xanthina exhibiting activity in November or any other winter months. Therefore, this study presents the first known documentation of winter activity in this species, raising questions about the potential effects of climate change on reptilian seasonal behaviors. Rising temperatures and shifting seasonal patterns may be altering the hibernation strategies of reptiles, leading to extended activity periods. Such changes could have ecological consequences, affecting predator-prey interactions, reproductive cycles, and overall species distributions.
- MakaleYalnız künye2025First evidence of the genetic structure of Neurergus strauchii munzurensis
Bozkurt, Emin; Kurnaz, Muammer; Avci, Aziz; Sahin, Mehmet Kuersat; Üzüm, Nazan; Olgun, Kurtulus
Until 2016, two subspecies of Neurergus strauchii were identified; at this time, one more subspecies was described from Tunceli as N. s. munzurensis. However, this study mainly focused on morphological characters. We aim to test of Neurergus species, including N. s. munzurensis taxa by phylogenetic analysis, using partial base sequences of 12S rRNA and D-loop genes. For this purpose, we reconstructed Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood trees with other Neurergus samples. According to the results, phylogenetic tree topologies demonstrate that N. crocatus was separated from the N. strauchii-N. barani lineage and the N. strauchii group have shown monophyly. Also, N. s. munzurensis showed higher genetic distances with N. barani (1.1%) and N. s. strauchii (0.8%) while genetic distances were only determined as 0.5% within N. barani and N. s. strauchii. N. s. munzurensis was found to be a genetically distinct taxon, following its previous morphological description. This study obtained the first evidence on better explaining the taxonomic status of N. s. munzurensis.
- 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 Erişim2025Niche dynamics and climate change sensitivity in western Palearctic Zamenis ratsnakes (Reptilia: Colubridae)
Vaissi, Somaye; Kürşat Şahin, Mehmet; Kurnaz, Muammer
Climate change poses a significant threat to ectothermic, dispersal-limited reptiles such as Zamenis snakes in the western Palearctic. This study used ensemble ecological models to assess the potential distribution of six Zamenis species under climate change scenarios (SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-8.5). In addition, we examined niche dynamics through overlap, equivalency, and similarity analyses. Results reveal distinct ecological niches for each species, primarily influenced by temperature and precipitation. Projected distribution shifts vary across species, with some species like Z. persicus and Z. situla showing potential for range expansion, while others such as Z. lineatus and Z. scalaris face significant habitat loss. Z. hohenackeri and Z. longissimus exhibit complex patterns of both expansion and contraction. Niche analyses indicate varying degrees of overlap among species, with a trend toward niche conservatism. This study underscores the importance of niche ecology in understanding climate change impacts and highlights the need for species-specific conservation strategies.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2024Exceptional Winter Activity Record from Blunt-nosed Viper (Macrovipera lebetinus) in Türkiye
Sahin, Mehmet Kursat; Kurnaz, Muammer
The seasonal dynamics of reptile species, particularly their responses to temperature fluctuations, play a crucial role in their ecological functioning. Here we report the winter activity of the Blunt-nosed Viper (Macrovipera lebetinus), a reptilian species primarily distributed across the Middle East for the first time. While extensive research exists on various aspects of this species, including taxonomy and distribution, there remains a notable gap in understanding its winter behaviors. By conducting field observations in the Direktaşı-Bitlis province of Türkiye, this study offers novel insights into the winter activity of M. lebetinus. The study identifies a juvenile specimen of M. lebetinus exhibiting activity during December, a period typically associated with hibernation in reptiles. The observed temperature conditions, measured at approximately 15.1°C, defy conventional expectations for winter reptilian activity. This anomaly prompts an exploration into the potential influences of climate change on reptilian hibernation patterns. The findings highlight the vulnerability of ectothermic creatures to temperature fluctuations induced by climate change, which can disrupt their hibernation cycles and lead to untimely activity. Moreover, the study underscores the critical implications of disrupted hibernation for reptilian populations, potentially jeopardizing their survival and reproductive success. The unforeseen activity observed in M. lebetinus serves as a poignant example of how climate-induced temperature shifts can disrupt established ecological rhythms, posing significant threats to species viability.
- 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.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2023Geographic distribution of two Montivipera taxa using ecological niche modeling
Kurnaz, Muammer
Ecological niche modeling predicts the potential distribution areas of species and contributes to measuring the niche differentiation among taxa. Montivipera albizona and M. bulgardaghica are two mountain viper taxa distributed in Anatolia. In the present study, the habitat suitability of M. albizona and M. bulgardaghica was assessed, and ecological niche ranges between these taxa were compared. According to species distribution models, while the distribution area of M. albizona covers a relatively large region in central Anatolia, M. bulgardaghica has a relatively narrow distribution over the eastern Taurus mountains. The species distributional results showed that the annual temperature range and mean temperature of the coldest quarter were the highest contributing variables, with 62.5% for M. albizona and 67.9% for M. bulgardaghica. Montiverpa albizona prefers 13 different habitat types, while M. bulgardaghica prefers 6 different habitat types in their distribution areas. Niche differentiation analysis revealed that there was no overlap between the two taxa in terms of their ecological niches.
- 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 künye2022Predicted current and future distribution of the fire salamander, Salamandra infraimmaculata in Turkey
Kurnaz, Muammer
Although the fire salamander, Salamandra infraimmaculata, is relatively distributed in a broad area in the Middle East, it lives in a narrow area in southeast and south Anatolia in Turkey. The habitats of the species have been downgraded day by day, and its IUCN category is listed as "NT, and the population trend is decreasing. Within the scope of this study, a model was created with the existing locality records of the species using ecological niche modeling. As a result of this model, the current and future distribution of the species were compared. The results obtained from the analyzes made within the scope of this study showed that the current probable distribution of the species coincides with the existing locality records. However, for possible climate change scenarios, the possible future distribution of the species will be thought to be negatively affected by the increase in the greenhouse gas effect, the change in the amount of carbon dioxide, and the increase of many harmful gas concentrations in the atmosphere. If all four climate scenarios proposed in this study in the future occur sequentially, the species will have to limit or change its range, and even become will be extinct in some areas. Species conservation action plans should be initiated, and local governments should take necessary measures to prevent this from happening.