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.

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.

Sahin, Mehmet Kursat; Kurnaz, Muammer

Interactions between the internal regulation and the environment drive thebiophysiological patterns of amphibians. It is well known phenomenon that newts in the northernhemisphere are tend to have hibernation strategies in winter seasons. However, the winter activityrecord for newts is quite rare. Therefore, we would like to report two winter activity cases fromAnatolia, Turkey via two newt species: The northern banded newt (Ommatotriton ophryticus) fromOrdu and Balkan crested newt (Triturus ivanbureschi) from Çanakkale. The striking outcomes ofthis study are that the Northern Banded Newt demonstrates winter activity from another localityapart from Trabzon, and the Balkan Crested Newt has been observed in winter for the first time inits natural habitat. However, it is more important that to document these winter activities areremarkable to provide valuable preliminary data for interpreting the global climate changedynamics in local cases.