Animal Sciences Commons^™

A Blue Crab (Callinectes Sapidus Rathbun, 1896) Individual With Two Carapace Widths: A Case Report, Akin Türker İlkyaz, Zafer Tosunoğlu

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

In this study, findings of morphological deformation observed on a blue crab sampled in Köyceğiz Lagoon (Muğla, Turkey) are presented. The deformation is in the left lateral spine. It has been observed that this spine, which normally should have been one, developed as two independent spines. Due to this abnormality observed in the individual, the individual has two carapace widths.

A Characterization Of West Virginia Coyotes (Canis Latrans) Utilizing Skull Morphology, Katharina E. Scholer

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Coyotes (Canis latrans) are now found throughout North and Central America, but before European colonization were restricted to west of the Mississippi. Migration occurred in two major paths to the East; north over the Great Lakes (through Canada) and south below the Great Lakes. The location of these routes is significant because those migrating north interbred with the wolves that reside there. These hybrid animals are larger and behaviorally different from their western counterparts. It is possible to differentiate these hybrids morphologically and genetically. Hybrids are known to be located in Maine, New York, and Pennsylvania, but the interest of …

Ultrastructure Of The Tongue And Histochemical Featuresof The Lingual Salivary Glands In Buzzards, Emi̇ne Ümran Örsçeli̇k, Murat Erdem Gülti̇ken, Di̇nçer Yildiz, Durmuş Bolat

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The macroscopic characteristics of the tongues of 8 long-legged buzzards are described and scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the epithelial tissue of the tongue?s surface. Crossman?s modified triple staining method and hematoxylin and eosin dye were used to determine the locations and general histological features of the lingual salivary glands. The nature of the glandular secretions was examined by staining with PAS, AB pH 1.0, AB pH 2.5, and PAS-AB pH 1.0 and pH 2.5, and diastase enzyme digestion. PAS staining and weak, moderate, and strong methylation procedures as well as sialidase and hyaluronidase applications were performed. We …

Further New And Little Known Species Of Ptyctimous Mites (Acari, Oribatida) From Cameroon, Wojciech Niedbala, Tomasz Osiejuk

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Nineteen species of ptyctimous mites were found in 20 samples collected in Cameroon: 15 samples from the Southwest region, near the ocean, and 5 samples from the Northwest region, inland. Two new species: Euphthiracarus (Pocsia) inaequatus sp. n. and Steganacarus (Rhacaplacarus) alius sp. n. are described and figured. Six species are new to Cameroon. The so far unknown instars of Mesoplophora (Mesoplophora) invisitata Niedbala, 1983: larva, proto-, deuto-, and tritonymph are described. The deutonymph and tritonymph of M. (M.) invisitata are compared with the corresponding stages of the related species. The tritonymph of the species of both subgenera, Mesoplophora and …

Diversity And Phylogenetic Relationships Of European Species Of Crepidostomum Braun, 1900 (Trematoda: Allocreadiidae) Based On Rdna, With Special Reference To Crepidostomum Oschmarini Zhokhov & Pugacheva, 1998, Romualda Petkevičiūtė, Virmantas Stunžėnas, Alexander E. Zhokhov, Larisa G. Poddubnaya, Gražina Stanevičiūtė

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

Background

Within the genus Crepidostomum Braun, 1900, identification of species and taxonomic decisions made only on the basis of adult morphology have resulted in great problems associated with evaluating actual diversity and validity of species. Life cycle data, while equal in importance to adult characters, are scarce, controversial or incomplete for most Crepidostomum spp. In this study, rDNA sequences generated from adult and larval Crepidostomum spp. and some other allocreadiid species were analyzed to reveal the diversity and phylogenetic relationships of the species and their host range. Detailed morphological description based on light microscopy, SEM tegumental surface topography and genetic …

Key To The Species Of Megachernes Beier (Pseudoscorpiones: Chernetidae),With Notes On M. Afghanicus And M. Pavlovskyi, Mahrad Nassirkhani, Reza Vafai Shoushtari

Turkish Journal of Zoology

An identification key is presented for all described species of the pseudoscorpions belonging to the genus Megachernes. Megachernes afghanicus Beier, 1959 is also considered as a junior subjective synonym of M. pavlovskyi Redikorzev, 1949.

Biometric Variation In Martes Foina From Mainland Greece And The Aegean Islands, Malamati Papakosta

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The geographical morphometric variations in the stone marten (Martes foina) from mainland Greece, the Aegean Islands, and Crete were analyzed. Samples taken from the three areas were compared regarding 18 craniometrical and 5 body size variables. According to univariate statistics, 13 skull measurements from males and 15 from females (72% and 83% of total skull variables for males and females, respectively) did not differ significantly among mainland Greece, the Aegean Islands, and Crete. The morphological differences among mainland and insular populations showed a tendency for separation (63% overall correct classification from skull measurements of males, 72.5% and 73.6% for body …

Mating Behaviour And Its Relationship With Morphological Features In The Millipede Pachyiulus Hungaricus (Karsch, 1881) (Myriapoda, Diplopoda, Julida), Zvezdana Jovanovic, Sofija Pavkovic-Lucic, Bojan Ilic, Vukica Vujic, Boris Dudic, Slobodan Makarov, Luka Lucic, Vladimir Tomic

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Although millipedes (Diplopoda) represent one of the most diverse classes of arthropods, data concerning details of their mating behaviour are very scarce. In this work, we explored mating behaviour of the European millipede Pachyiulus hungaricus under laboratory conditions, and its relationship with the size and shape of certain morphological traits. We conducted 3 types of behavioural tests: a mating arena test, a female choice test, and a male choice test. Premating behaviour was "sequenced" in 5 behavioural steps and, together with the duration of copulation, scored in all mating assays. Males were the more active sex in searching for mates, …

Description Of Two New Cave-Dwelling Bisetocreagris Species(Pseudoscorpiones, Neobisiidae) From China, Zhizhong Gao, Huiming Chen, Feng Zhang

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Two new pseudoscorpion species of Bisetocreagris Curcic, 1983, B. guangshanensis sp. nov. and B. gracilenta sp. nov., belonging to the family Neobisiidae, are described based on specimens collected in karst caves in Guizhou Province, China. Detailed diagnosis, descriptions, and illustrations are presented.

Description Of Mesocriconema Ericaceum N. Sp. (Nematoda: Criconematidae) And Notes On Other Nematode Species Discovered In An Ericaceous Heath Bald Community In Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Usa, Thomas O. Powers, Peter Mullin, Rebecca Higgins, Timothy Harris, Kirsten S. Powers

Department of Plant Pathology: Faculty Publications

A new species of Mesocriconema and a unique assemblage of plant-parasitic nematodes was discovered in a heath bald atop Brushy Mountain in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Mesocriconema ericaceum n. sp., a species with males, superficially resembles M. xenoplax. DNA barcoding with the mitochondrial COI gene provided evidence of the new species as a distinct lineage. SEM revealed significant variability in arrangement of labial submedian lobes, plates, and anterior and posterior annuli. Three other nematodes in the family Criconematidae were characterized from the heath bald. Ogma seymouri, when analyzed by statistical parsimony, established connections with isolates from north-eastern Atlantic …

Tityus Ythieri Lourenço, 2007 Is A Synonym Of Tityus Magnimanus Pocock, 1897 (Scorpiones: Buthidae): A Combined Approach Using Morphology, Hybridization Experiments, Chromosomes, And Mitochondrial Dna, František Kovařík, František Šťáhlavský, Tereza Kořínková, Jiří Král, Tom Van Der Ende

Euscorpius

Diagnostic morphological differences to distinguish between two scorpion species, Tityus ythieri Lourenço, 2007 and T. magnimanus Pocock, 1897 do not exist; moreover, the two easily hybridize to produce fertile offspring. Therefore, we suggest that T. ythieri is a synonym of T. magnimanus. This conclusion is further supported by (1) very similar distribution of relative sizes of chromosome bivalents in both species, (2) regular pairing of homologous chromosomes in meiosis of their hybrids, and (3) identical sequences of mitochondrial DNA (COI) markers.

Freshwater Ciliates From Beytepe Pond In Ankara With New Records For Turkey, Sirma Çapar Di̇nçer

Turkish Journal of Zoology

In this study, the ciliate biota from four sites within a pond in Central Anatolia has been examined. A total of 57 species have been identified, 4 of which are newly recorded within the Turkish ciliate fauna, including Oxytricha similis, Pleuronema crassum, Astylozoon pyriforme, and Pseudovorticella monilata. Turkish populations of these newly recorded species have been morphologically described. Furthermore, 17 species have been newly recorded in Central Anatolia. An overwhelming majority of the ciliates found belonged to 3 systematic groups: 1) Oligohymenophorea (44%, 25 species), 2) Spirotrichea (21%, 12 species), and 3) Litostomatea (21%, 12 species). All ciliate species recorded …

Thaparocleidus Gangus Sp. Nov. (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae) Fromgill Filaments Of Wallago Attu Bloch And Schn., 1801, India, Chandni Verma, Anshu Chaudhary, Hridaya Shanker Singh

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The examination of gill parasites from the freshwater shark Wallago attu Bloch and Schn., 1801 (Siluriformes: Siluridae) in India revealed the presence of a new species of the genus Thaparocleidus Jain, 1952 from the Ganga River, Uttar Pradesh, India. The new species can be discriminated from its congeners by the combination of the following characteristics: accessory piece much smaller than cirrus tube, dorsal anchor with well-developed inner root and small outer root, shaft smoothly bent to form recurved point, inner and outer roots of ventral anchors developed equally so that attain almost equal length, dorsal bar curved in the medial …

Four New Records Of Plant Parasitic Nematodes From Iran, Somaye Alvani, Esmat Mahdikhani Moghaddam, Hamid Rouhani, Abbas Mohammadi

Turkish Journal of Zoology

In order to identify the plant parasitic nematodes associated with Berberis vulgaris, 130 soil samples were collected from the rhizosphere of this plant in the South Khorasan Province of Iran during 2012-2014. Among the identified species, four species, Merlinius acuminatus, Geocenamus dobroticus, Paratylenchus vandenbrandei, and Criconemoides morgensis, are new records for the Iranian nematode fauna.

A Comparative Description Of The Thorax Chaetotaxy Of The Dolichopodidae (Diptera), Mariya A. Chursina, Oleg P. Negrobov, Olga V. Selivanova

Turkish Journal of Zoology

A study of 270 species belonging to 210 genera of the family Dolichopodidae was conducted to examine their characters of thorax chaetotaxy. The quantity of acrostichal setae series, number of dorsocentral setae pairs, and quantity and degree of developed scutellar setae were studied. The humeral, posthumeral, intraalar, notopleural, supraalar, postalar, and sutural setae were also investigated. Combinations of chaetotaxy characters typical of the family Dolichopodidae were discovered. A detailed analysis of these characters allowed for the determination of the diagnostic characters of the subfamilies. The comparative analysis of Dolichopodidae morphology and outgroup taxa allowed for the identification of apomorphic and …

Investigation Of Bats In The Darkhad Wetlands, Jargalsaikhan Ariunbold

Erforschung biologischer Ressourcen der Mongolei / Exploration into the Biological Resources of Mongolia, ISSN 0440-1298

The Darkhadyn Khotgor wetlands are located in the northern part of Mongolia and are transected by both small and large rivers such as the Shishged and the Tengis. Many small lakes are present and the large lake ‘Tsagaan nuur’ (English: White lake) is upstream of the Yenisei river. It is a land rich in biodiversity with pristine waters and an extreme continental climate. The Darkhadyn Khotgor wetlands are composed of three ecological zones, Siberian Taiga, forested steppe, and meadow valley. The area is surrounded by Ulaan Taiga strictly protected area (SPA) in the western part, Khoridol Saridag Mountains SPA in …

A New Species Of Voles, Microtus Elbeyli Sp. Nov., From Turkey With Taxonomicoverview Of Social Voles Distributed In Southeastern Anatolia, Nuri̇ Yi̇ği̇t, Ercüment Çolak, Mustafa Sözen

Turkish Journal of Zoology

There are twelve Microtus species in Turkey and two of them are endemic to the steppic central Anatolian plateau. In this study, previously collected specimens that were recorded as Microtus irani from southeastern Turkey were reevaluated by karyologically comparing different species distributed throughout southeastern Turkey. The taxonomic status of this species was raised to a new species, Microtus elbeyli sp. Nov., which has dark ochreous dorsal color, agrestis morphotype in M2, and 2n = 46, NF = 50, Nfa = 46 karyotype. The new species described here raises the total number of Microtus species in Turkey to 13 and endemic …

Taxonomic Status Of Neomys Species (Mammalia: Soricomorpha)And Their Distribution In Turkey, Haluk Kefeli̇oğlu, Ahmet Yesari̇ Selçuk

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The genus Neomys is distributed throughout the Palearctic. Neomys teres is widely distributed in the Black Sea region, whereas Neomys anomalus is narrowly distributed in the West Palearctic region. Similarly, in Turkey, Neomys anomalus shows a wide distribution, but Neomys teres is distributed in the Black Sea highlands. These two species can be differentiated from each other morphologically and karyologically. N. anomalus and N. teres are different in terms of penis structure. The karyotypes of Neomys anomalus and Neomys teres are 2n = 52. The karyotype of the Neomys teres population in Turkey is not yet known. Neomys anomalus has …

Distribution And Current Status Of Cricetulus Migratorius (Mammalia: Cricetidae)In Bulgaria, With Comments On Its Status In The Balkans, Nedko Nedyalkov

Turkish Journal of Zoology

During the last decade I collected extensive new information about the distribution of the Grey hamster (Cricetulus migratorius) in Bulgaria, mainly through the study of pellets of birds of prey and owls. New data about the dental morphology and morphometrics, distribution, and current status of the Grey hamster in Bulgaria are presented. The Grey hamster has been found in the diet of the Barn owl (Tyto alba), Little owl (Athene noctua), and Eastern imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca). It contributed a negligible part of the studied pellets: only 0.06% of individuals from 27,449 small mammals. The presence of the species was …

Using Body Condition Index Can Be An Unreliable Indicator Of Fitness: A Case Of Sand Lizard Lacerta Agilis Linnaeus, 1758 (Sauria: Lacertidae), Krzysztof Dudek, Zofia Sajkowska, Monika Gawalek, Anna Ekner-Grzyb

Turkish Journal of Zoology

In ecological and morphological studies, researchers often use body condition index as a measure of an individual's fitness. Our research shows that body condition index may be an unreliable method for this purpose, because changes in lizards' body proportions are not stable during their lifetime. Results obtained from a Polish population of the sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) show that the body length increases faster than the body mass, meaning that the correlation between these 2 parameters is not linear. Herpetologists frequently use the body condition index to compare the fitness of lizards of different ages. Our study demonstrates that this …

Allometry Of Head Size And Shape Dimorphism In The Grass Snake (Natrix Natrix L.), Bartosz Borczyk

Turkish Journal of Zoology

This study was conducted to investigate allometry of head growth patterns in the grass snake (Natrix natrix (Linnaeus, 1758)). Although male and female grass snakes differ in relative head size, their head growth patterns follow similar trajectories. The sexual differences are roughly constant during ontogeny. Most head dimensions grow with negative allometry or isometry with respect to the snout?vent length except head width, which grows with positive allometry in both sexes.

Hymenolepis Folkertsi N. Sp. (Eucestoda: Hymenolepididae) In The Oldfield Mouse Peromyscus Polionotus (Wagner) (Rodentia: Cricetidae: Neotominae) From The Southeastern Nearctic With Comments On Tapeworm Faunal Diversity Among Deer Mice, Arseny A. Makarikov, Todd N. Nims, Kurt E. Galbreath, Eric P. Hoberg

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

A previously unrecognized species of hymenolepidid cestode attributable to Hymenolepis is described based on specimens in Peromyscus polionotus, oldfield mouse, from Georgia, United States, near the southeastern coast of continental North America. Specimens of Hymenolepis folkertsi n. sp. differ from those attributed to most other species in the genus by having testes arranged in a triangle and a scolex with a prominent rostrum-like protrusion. The newly recognized species is further distinguished by the relative position and length of the cirrus sac, shape of seminal receptacle, and relative size of external seminal vesicle and seminal receptacle. Hymenolepidid cestodes have sporadically …

Geometric Morphometric Analysis Of Pan Frontal Bone Morphology, Allen J. Myhra

Department of Anthropology: Theses and Student Research

This study employs geometric morphometric methods to investigate the morphology and shape change of the frontal bone for Pan troglodytes and Pan paniscus. Unlike previous work on the topic, this research analyzed morphology and ontogenetic shape change in a single bone of the cranium, namely the frontal bone. Frontal bone shape was compared between juvenile Pan troglodytes and Pan paniscus and the ontogeny of the bone was assessed in Pan paniscus infants and juveniles. Analyses were performed on frontal bone morphology with and without the browridge in order to assess the morphology of the frontal apart from influences …

The Reproductive Biology Of The Finetooth Shark, Carcharhinus Isodon, In The Northwest Atlantic Ocean, Amanda N. Brown

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Shark fisheries are a multimillion dollar industry in the United States and have significant contributions both recreationally and commercially. In order to maintain this industry, fisheries must be properly managed. An understanding of life history and reproduction is crucial in order to adequately manage shark fisheries. The finetooth shark, Carcharhinus isodon, is a member of the small coastal shark (SCS) fishery complex. It is found in Atlantic waters from South Carolina to Florida and throughout the Gulf of Mexico. This species has recently come under increased fishing pressure and has previously been overfished. New data is needed in order …

The Effect Of Weather During Rearing On Morphometric Traits Of Juvenile Cliff Swallows, Erin A. Roche, Mary Bomberger Brown, Charles R. Brown

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Episodes of food deprivation may change how nestling birds allocate energy to the growth of skeletal and feather morphological traits during development. Cliff swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) are colonial, insectivorous birds that regu­larly experience brief periods of severe weather–induced food deprivation during the nesting season which may affect offspring development. We investigated how annual variation in timing of rearing and weather were associated with length of wing and tail, skeletal traits, and body mass in juvenile cliff swallows reared in southwestern Nebraska during 2001–2006. As predicted under conditions of food deprivation, nestling skeletal and feather measurements were generally smaller …

Systematics Of The Neotropical Genus Leptodactylus Fitzinger, 1826 (Anura: Leptodactylidae): Phylogeny, The Relevance Of Non-Molecular Evidence, And Species Accounts, Rafael O. De Sá, Taran Grant, Arley Camargo, W. R. Heyer, María Laura Ponssa, Edward Stanley

Biology Faculty Publications

A phylogeny of the species-rich clade of the Neotropical frog genus Leptodactylus sensu stricto is presented on the basis of a total evidence analysis of molecular (mitochondrial and nuclear markers) and non-molecular (adult and larval morphological and behavioral characters) sampled from > 80% of the 75 currently recognized species. Our results support the monophyly of Leptodactylus sensu stricto, with Hydrolaetare placed as its sister group. The reciprocal monophyly of Hydrolaetare and Leptodactylus sensu stricto does not require that we consider Hydrolaetare as either a subgenus or synonym of Leptodactylus sensu lato. We recognize Leptodactylus sensu stricto, Hydrolaetare, Adenomera, and Lithodytes …

A New Troglobitic Ideoroncid Pseudoscorpion (Pseudoscorpiones: Ideoroncidae) From Southern Africa, Mark S. Harvey, Gerhard Du Preez

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The first blind African species of Ideoroncidae is described from a cave in northwestern Botswana, Botswanoncus ellisi, representing a new genus and a new species. Apart from the complete lack of eyes, it is also unusual in having the lowest recorded number of trichobothria of any adult ideoroncid with 17 on the fixed finger and nine on the movable finger.

A Review And Redescription Of The Cosmopolitan Pseudoscorpion Chelifer Cancroides (Pseudoscorpiones: Cheliferidae), Mark S. Harvey

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The taxonomy of the cheliferid pseudoscorpion genus Chelifer Geoffroy 1762 is reviewed with a single cosmopolitan species, Chelifer cancroides (Linnaeus 1758), with the subspecies C. cancroides orientalis Morikawa 1954 from Japan newly synonymised with C. cancroides. Adults and the final two nymphal stages (tritonymph and deutonymph) are redescribed based on numerous specimens from Europe, North America, Asia and Australasia. The large size variation evident in the samples is documented. The latero-ventral process of the tarsal claws characteristically found in adults (except leg I of the male) is lacking in nymphs, a pattern that is also confirmed in the genera Lissochelifer …

The Northernmost European Record Of Parasetodes Respersellus (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae) From The Courish Spit (Russia) With Notes On Its Distribution And Imaginal Morphology, Edyta Buczynska, Anatoly P. Shapoval, Pawel Buczynski

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Parasetodes respersellus (Rambur, 1842) is the only representative of its genus in Europe. So far, it has been reported in 6 countries (24 sites), and 3 of the reports come from the 1960s and from earlier historical references. Between 24 and 28 August 2011 a male and a female of this species were attracted to a light trap in the Courish Spit (Russia). The paper presents the following topics concerning this species: the distribution area and the status of existing records in particular countries, considerations about the potential breeding site of the collected specimens, remarks on the origins of a …

The Taxonomic Status And Geographic Distribution Of The European Hare (Lepus Europaeus Pallas, 1778) In Turkey (Mammalia: Lagomorpha), Yasi̇n Demi̇rbaş, İrfan Albayrak

Turkish Journal of Zoology

This study was based on 125 specimens of hares collected from 61 different localities in Turkey between 2006 and 2010. We present diagnostic characters, pelage coloration, external, cranial and phallic measurements, skull and phallus features, hair structure, and collection localities of hares from Turkey. Additionally, we analyze morphometric variations of 5 regional populations according to the physiography/orography of the study area. Among the morphometric variables, 10 characters (weight, tail length, basal length, condylobasal length, rostral breadth, height of braincase, foramen incisiva length, occipitonasal length, profile length, and mandible length) are found to be significantly different between the populations (ANOVA, P < 0.01). Principal component analysis of 22 morphometric measurements is performed, and 71.56% of total variance is explained through 5 principle components. The Thracian specimen is distinguished from other populations on the first 2 canonical discriminant functions and the cluster dendrogram. The hair structure, as examined by scanning electron microscope, is found to be flattened and imbricate. Our Anatolian specimens are discussed at the subspecies level, comparing them to the relevant literature, and it is concluded that Lepus europaeus in Anatolia is represented by only one subspecies, Lepus europaeus syriacus.