Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Zoology Commons™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

2005

Discipline
Institution
Keyword
Publication
Publication Type

Articles 151 - 176 of 176

Full-Text Articles in Zoology

Geographical Distributions And Taxonomical States Of Telescopus Fallax (Fleischman, 1831) And Vipera Barani Böhme-Joger, 1983, İbrahi̇m Baran, Yusuf Kumlutaş, Çeti̇n Ilgaz, Fatma İret Jan 2005

Geographical Distributions And Taxonomical States Of Telescopus Fallax (Fleischman, 1831) And Vipera Barani Böhme-Joger, 1983, İbrahi̇m Baran, Yusuf Kumlutaş, Çeti̇n Ilgaz, Fatma İret

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Taxonomical states and the distribution of 40 Telescopus fallax specimens collected from various regions of Turkey over the past 35 years were evaluated. Information relating to a female Vipera barani and its 2 male juveniles, which were collected 35 km south of the provincial capital Adapazarı is presented. Biological information regarding the latter species is provided for the first time.

Go to article

On Viperid (Serpentes: Sauria) Specimens Collected From Northeastern Anatolia, İbrahi̇m Baran, Cemal Varol Tok, Kurtuluş Olgun, Fatma İret, Azi̇z Avci Jan 2005

On Viperid (Serpentes: Sauria) Specimens Collected From Northeastern Anatolia, İbrahi̇m Baran, Cemal Varol Tok, Kurtuluş Olgun, Fatma İret, Azi̇z Avci

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Specimens of Vipera eriwanensis and Vipera kaznakovi collected from northeastern Anatolia were examined in terms of morphological characters and compared with the relevant references. The distribution ranges of Vipera eriwanensis and Vipera kaznakovi were extended in Turkey by collecting specimens from new localities.

Go to article

The Oligochaeta (Annelida) Fauna Of Aksu Stream (Antalya), Soner Çapraz, Nai̇me Arslan Jan 2005

The Oligochaeta (Annelida) Fauna Of Aksu Stream (Antalya), Soner Çapraz, Nai̇me Arslan

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The samples were collected from 10 stations from September 2002 to October 2003 with the purpose of determining the Oligochaete fauna of Aksu Stream (Antalya). Seventeen species of Oligochaeta were recorded, consisting of 7 species from the family Tubificidae, and 10 species from Naididae. All of them are reported from Aksu Stream for the first time.

Go to article

Distribution Of Turkish Helophorus Fabricius, 1775 (Coleoptera, Helophoridae) Ii. Subgenus Atracthelophorus, With Two New Records And Some Ecological Notes, Ümi̇t İncekara, Abdullah Mart, Orhan Erman Jan 2005

Distribution Of Turkish Helophorus Fabricius, 1775 (Coleoptera, Helophoridae) Ii. Subgenus Atracthelophorus, With Two New Records And Some Ecological Notes, Ümi̇t İncekara, Abdullah Mart, Orhan Erman

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Two newly recorded Helophorus Fabricius, 1775 species/subspecies for the Turkish fauna, Helophorus (Atracthelophorus) shatrovskyi Angus, 1985 and H. (A.) leontis dixoni Angus, 1987, are compared against Turkish specimens (private collection). A list of subgenus Atracthelophorus species known from Turkey and their distribution in Turkey and worldwide is presented. The ecology of each examined species is discussed.

Go to article

Morphology And Systematics Of Turkish Species Of Exeurytoma Burks, 1971 (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Eurytomidae), With Description Of A New Species From Eastern Anatolia, Mi̇kdat Doğanlar, Hali̇t Çam Jan 2005

Morphology And Systematics Of Turkish Species Of Exeurytoma Burks, 1971 (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Eurytomidae), With Description Of A New Species From Eastern Anatolia, Mi̇kdat Doğanlar, Hali̇t Çam

Turkish Journal of Zoology

A new species of Exeurytoma Burks, 1971 (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Eurytomidae) from Eastern Anatolia is described. Morphologies and systematics of 2 Turkish species, E. anatolica Çam, 1998 from Tokat and E. kebanensis n.sp. from Keban, Elazığ, and from Ömerli, Mardin were studied. Their diagnostic characteristics were photographed using a scanning electron microscope and some of them are illustrated as seen under a stereoscopic microscope by camera lucida. An identification key for the species of Exeurytoma is provided.

Go to article

Studies On Sediment Characteristics Of Madhurantakam Lake, Tamilnadu, India, N. Moorthy, P. Elayaraja, Ravichandran Ramanibai Jan 2005

Studies On Sediment Characteristics Of Madhurantakam Lake, Tamilnadu, India, N. Moorthy, P. Elayaraja, Ravichandran Ramanibai

Turkish Journal of Zoology

We report the results of quantitative and qualitative investigations of the ostracod fauna of the benthos of Madhurantakam Lake in Tamilnadu, India. Five species of ostracod were recorded from the benthic samples, Cyclocypris sp. Cypris sp. C. lacustris, Cypriconcha sp. and Physocypris sp. The highest density of benthic ostracods was 4268 ind. M^{-2}. The top layer (5 cm) showed high ostracod abundance, which indicates the richness of this layer in terms of organic matter and nutrients. The ostracod abundance and diversity were high during the post-summer months of June, July and August 2002. The ostracods dominated the macro-invertebrate fauna in …

Go to article

A Preliminary Survey Of Testudo Graeca Linnaeus 1758 Specimens From Central Anatolia, Turkey, Oğuz Türkozan, Kurtuluş Olgun, John Wilkinson, Leigh Gillett, John Spence Jan 2005

A Preliminary Survey Of Testudo Graeca Linnaeus 1758 Specimens From Central Anatolia, Turkey, Oğuz Türkozan, Kurtuluş Olgun, John Wilkinson, Leigh Gillett, John Spence

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Sixteen specimens of Testudo graeca Linnaeus 1758 from 2 adjacent localities (Meke and Acıgöl) in Central Anatolia were measured. Morphological characters standardised for straight carapace length (SCL) were compared with original raw values from Testudo populations from Aegean and south-eastern Turkey. The post-ANOVA pairwise analysis (Tukey's) across all groups verified sexual dimorphism in the Central Anatolian populations in terms of anal suture length (P < 0.05) and plastron width 2 (P < 0.05). Discriminant analysis based on standardised values provided 89.3% and 92.6% correct classification among males and females, respectively. The difference was clearer between the Aegean and Central Anatolian populations, with a more domed carapace (CH) in the males and shorter plastron length (PL) and plastron width 2 (PW2) in the females of the Aegean population in comparison with the Central Anatolian population.

Go to article

Two New Records Of Camerobiidae (Acari: Actinedida) For The Turkish Fauna, Kami̇l Koç Jan 2005

Two New Records Of Camerobiidae (Acari: Actinedida) For The Turkish Fauna, Kami̇l Koç

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Tycherobius polonicus Bolland, 1986 and Neophyllobius podocarpi Bolland, 1991, originally described in Poland and the USA, respectively, are recorded for the first time in Turkey. Their morphological characters and distributions are given. In addition, a key is given to the known genera of Camerobiidae from Turkey

Go to article

Chironomidae Fauna (Diptera-Insecta) Of Gümüldür Stream (İzmir), Mustafa Ruşen Ustaoğlu, Süleyman Balik, Ayşe Taşdemi̇r Jan 2005

Chironomidae Fauna (Diptera-Insecta) Of Gümüldür Stream (İzmir), Mustafa Ruşen Ustaoğlu, Süleyman Balik, Ayşe Taşdemi̇r

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Samples were collected monthly from 10 different stations between April, 1993, and March, 1994, in order to determine the Chironomidae fauna of Gümüldür Stream in İzmir, Turkey. Ten species were found in the stream as determined from qualitative analyses of the samples. Of these, 5 species belong to the subfamily Orthocladiinae and the remaining 5 belong to the subfamily Chironominae. This is the first study reporting the existence of these species in Gümüldür Stream.

Go to article

Macrobenthic Invertebrate Fauna Of Lake Eğrigöl (Gündoğmuş - Antalya), Seray Yildiz, Ayşe Taşdemi̇r, Murat Özbek, Süleyman Balik, M. Ruşen Ustaoğlu Jan 2005

Macrobenthic Invertebrate Fauna Of Lake Eğrigöl (Gündoğmuş - Antalya), Seray Yildiz, Ayşe Taşdemi̇r, Murat Özbek, Süleyman Balik, M. Ruşen Ustaoğlu

Turkish Journal of Zoology

In order to determine the macrobenthic invertebrate fauna of Lake Eğrigöl, located at 2000 m in the central Taurus Mountains, 4 field studies were conducted between June and September, 2000, and June and September, 2001. The specimens were obtained by collection of mud samples using an Ekman-Birge grab and by sifting with a fine 500 µm sieve, and were preserved in 4% formaldehyde solution. Additional samplings were also performed from the shore with hand nets with a mesh size of 180 µm. On average, 1036 benthic invertebrate specimens were found per square meter in Lake Eğrigöl; 939 of these specimens …

Go to article

The Histochemical And Ultrastructural Effects Of Cadmium On Mouse Edl Muscle, Fati̇me Geyi̇koğlu, Aysel Temelli̇, Özgen Vuraler, Hasan Türkez Jan 2005

The Histochemical And Ultrastructural Effects Of Cadmium On Mouse Edl Muscle, Fati̇me Geyi̇koğlu, Aysel Temelli̇, Özgen Vuraler, Hasan Türkez

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The histochemical and ultrastructural effects of cadmium (Cd) on the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles of male mice were investigated. Two doses of Cd (0.1 and 1.0 x 10^{-4} M) were injected into the mice. The animals were killed at the end of 48 h and their EDL muscles excised. Three types of fibers (I, IIA and IIB) were described by the succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) method in the control groups. The mitochondrial and sarcotubular contents of the fibers were different. The histochemical and ultrastructural characteristics of the EDL muscles in mice given Cd did not differ from those of the …

Go to article

Some Biological Characteristics Of Crayfish (Astacus Leptodactylus Eschscholtz, 1823) In Lake Eğirdir, İsmet Balik, Hidir Çubuk, Remzi̇ye Özkök, Rahmi̇ Uysal Jan 2005

Some Biological Characteristics Of Crayfish (Astacus Leptodactylus Eschscholtz, 1823) In Lake Eğirdir, İsmet Balik, Hidir Çubuk, Remzi̇ye Özkök, Rahmi̇ Uysal

Turkish Journal of Zoology

This study was conducted in Lake Eğirdir in 2001 and 2002, to investigate some biological characteristics, i.e. sex and length compositions, length-weight relationship and reproduction, of the crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz, 1823) population. Sex ratios of crayfish caught with fykenets of 34 - mm mesh size (stretched mesh) were 65.2% male and 34.8% female. The total body lengths of both sexes ranged from 40 to 150 mm and the majority were in the 110 mm length class. Although the average lengths of both sexes were nearly the same, the average weight of male crayfish was higher than that of females. …

Go to article

Age, Growth And Reproduction Of The Goldband Goatfish, Upeneus Moluccensis (Bleeker, 1855), In İskenderun Bay, The Eastern Mediterranean, Ali̇ İşmen Jan 2005

Age, Growth And Reproduction Of The Goldband Goatfish, Upeneus Moluccensis (Bleeker, 1855), In İskenderun Bay, The Eastern Mediterranean, Ali̇ İşmen

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The age composition, growth parameters, spawning season, sex ratio, length at first sexual maturity and fecundity of the goldband goatfish (Upeneus moluccensis) caught in İskenderun Bay in the eastern Mediterranean Sea were investigated. Females and males made up 51.6% and 48.4%, respectively, of the particular population of the species. The total length of females ranged from 7.0 cm to 20.5 cm, and of males from 7.0 cm to 17.8 cm. The length (L) - weight (W) relationships for males and females were estimated as W = 0.0118*L^{2.99} and W = 0.0097*L^{3.00}, respectively. The age data derived from otolith readings were …

Go to article

Some Biological Aspects Of The Himri Barbel, Barbus Luteus, In The Intermediate Reaches Of The Euphrates River, Ramez Al Hazzaa Jan 2005

Some Biological Aspects Of The Himri Barbel, Barbus Luteus, In The Intermediate Reaches Of The Euphrates River, Ramez Al Hazzaa

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Growth; length-weight, standard-, fork-, and total length relationships; age composition; sex ratios; age at first maturity; and fecundity of the himri, Barbus luteus, from different sites along the middle reaches of the Euphrates River were investigated. Von Bertalanffy's growth models were L_t = 54.71 (1-e^{0.110 (t+0.163)}), W_t = 1252.833 (1-e^{0.127 (t+1.825)})^{2.454} in males, and L_t = 56.93 (1-e^{0.105 (t+0.377)}), W_t = 1395.363 (1-e^{0.107 (t-1.81)})^{2.545} in females. Isometric growth was identified from length-weight relationships. Younger age groups dominated the catches, with identifiable ages ranged from II to VII years. Sexual ratios were unbiased and did not deviate from 1:1. Most fish …

Go to article

Population Status Of The Taurus Frog, Rana Holtzi Werner (1898), In Its Terra Typica: Is There A Decline?, Uğur Kaya, İ. Ethem Çevi̇k, Uğur C. Eri̇şmi̇ş Jan 2005

Population Status Of The Taurus Frog, Rana Holtzi Werner (1898), In Its Terra Typica: Is There A Decline?, Uğur Kaya, İ. Ethem Çevi̇k, Uğur C. Eri̇şmi̇ş

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The herpetofauna of the Taurus Mountains is diverse, and many species are locally abundant. The Taurus frog, Rana holtzi, is endemic to Maden Lake in the Taurus Mountains in Turkey. Although it was thought to be abundant in its restricted habitat, the population size of the Taurus frog and its related trend are uncertain. Like many animals, a great number of anurans have declined or become extinct over the past decades. In 2003, we conducted a mark-recapture study on the Taurus frog population in its terra typica. Our objective was to monitor R. holtzi in its terra typica to estimate …

Go to article

On The Distribution And Morphology Of The Steppe Viper, Vipera Eriwanensis (Reuss, 1933), From Gavur Mountain (Gümüşhane), Bi̇lal Kutrup, Ufuk Bülbül, Nurhayat Yilmaz Jan 2005

On The Distribution And Morphology Of The Steppe Viper, Vipera Eriwanensis (Reuss, 1933), From Gavur Mountain (Gümüşhane), Bi̇lal Kutrup, Ufuk Bülbül, Nurhayat Yilmaz

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Vipera eriwanensis (Reuss, 1933), known only from the localities of the eastern Aras River in Turkey, was morphologically examined and compared with the related species on the basis of one additional specimen from Gavur mountain (province Gümüşhane), situated outside the known localities. This information changed our knowledge of the total distribution of V. eriwanensis, clearly showing that this taxon has expanded its range at least 210 km to the west in eastern Turkey. Furthermore it differs from V. eriwanensis reported from Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan in having a lower number of mid-body scales and loreals, and a higher number of …

Go to article

The Effect Of Disturbances To Habitat Quality On Otter (Lutra Lutra) Activity In The River Kızılırmak (Turkey): A Case Study, İlhami̇ Tüzün, İrfan Albayrak Jan 2005

The Effect Of Disturbances To Habitat Quality On Otter (Lutra Lutra) Activity In The River Kızılırmak (Turkey): A Case Study, İlhami̇ Tüzün, İrfan Albayrak

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Habitat restriction for otters living in a small part of the Kızılırmak River occurred due mainly to 3 causes: dam construction at the upper end, heavy pollution by oil refinery effluent at the lower end and man-made activities such as housing and angling in-between. Sprainting activity was measured to assess habitat use by otters within the area and differences were shown between the sites. Compared to site II, higher sprainting activity was found at the site below the dam (site I), where habitat quality was poorer, as indicated by the water quality index (BMWP), diversity indices (Simpson's and Shannon-Wiever) and …

Go to article

Assessment Of The Sensitivity And Death Rates Of Adults Of Graphosoma Lineatum (Linnaeus, 1758) Fed Chlorocholine Chloride, A Plant Growth Inhibitor, Under Laboratory Conditions, Mohsen Yazdanian, Reza Farshbaf Pour Abad Jan 2005

Assessment Of The Sensitivity And Death Rates Of Adults Of Graphosoma Lineatum (Linnaeus, 1758) Fed Chlorocholine Chloride, A Plant Growth Inhibitor, Under Laboratory Conditions, Mohsen Yazdanian, Reza Farshbaf Pour Abad

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The side effects of chlorocholine chloride, a plant growth inhibitor, on adults of Graphosoma lineatum were studied under laboratory conditions. In the study, 100, 250, 500, 750, 1000 and 1500 ppm of chlorocholine chloride in distilled water were applied. Chlorocholine chloride had killing effects on adults of G. lineatum. A 100% mortality of the male adults was observed after feeding 750, 1000 and 1500 ppm of the compound, whereas a 100% mortality of the females occurred with 1000 and 1500 ppm of the feeding compound. This study also showed that the sensitivity of the male adult insects to chlorocholine chloride …

Go to article

A New Record For The Turkish Fauna: Lamellovertex Caelatus (Berlese, 1895) (Acari, Oribatida, Scutoverticidae), Nusret Ayyildiz, Sedat Per, Ayşe Toluk Jan 2005

A New Record For The Turkish Fauna: Lamellovertex Caelatus (Berlese, 1895) (Acari, Oribatida, Scutoverticidae), Nusret Ayyildiz, Sedat Per, Ayşe Toluk

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The characters and distribution of Lamellovertex caelatus (Berlese, 1895), which is a new record for the Turkish fauna, are given.

Go to article

A Morphological Study On The Venom Apparatus Of Spider Larinioides Cornutus (Araneae, Araneidae), Külti̇ği̇n Çavuşoğlu, Abdullah Bayram, Meltem Maraş, Kürşat Çavuşoğlu, Tali̇p Kirindi Jan 2005

A Morphological Study On The Venom Apparatus Of Spider Larinioides Cornutus (Araneae, Araneidae), Külti̇ği̇n Çavuşoğlu, Abdullah Bayram, Meltem Maraş, Kürşat Çavuşoğlu, Tali̇p Kirindi

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The morphological structure of the venom apparatus of Larinioides cornutus was studied using a scanning electron microscope(SEM). The Venom glands are situated in the anterior cephalic part of the prosoma, and each gland consists of a long cylindrical part and an adjoining duct, which terminates at the tip of the cheliceral fang. Each chelicera consists of 2 parts: a stout basal part covered by hair, and a movable fang. There are parallel grooves on the dorsal surface of the fang. The ventral surface has hollows like saw teeth. A venom pore is situated on the subterminal part of the fang. …

Go to article

Contributions To The Agromyzidae (Diptera) Fauna Of Turkey, Cafer Mart, Ayşe Özlem Tursun, Hasan Sungur Ci̇velek Jan 2005

Contributions To The Agromyzidae (Diptera) Fauna Of Turkey, Cafer Mart, Ayşe Özlem Tursun, Hasan Sungur Ci̇velek

Turkish Journal of Zoology

This study was carried out in 2003 and 2004 in Kahramanmaraş province. Specimens were collected once a week from Kahramanmaraş province, southern Turkey, from both cultured and non-cultured plants. Before this study, 80 leafminer species had been identified in Turkey. In this study Phytoliriomyza perpusilla (Meigen, 1830), Phytomyza fallaciosa Brischke, 1881 and Phytomyza fuscula Zetterstedt, 1838 are recorded as new for the Turkish leafminer fauna. Morphological descriptions, hosts and their general distributions are given.

Go to article

Birds Of Lake Beyşehir (Isparta-Konya), Mehmet Ali̇ Tabur, Yusuf Ayvaz Jan 2005

Birds Of Lake Beyşehir (Isparta-Konya), Mehmet Ali̇ Tabur, Yusuf Ayvaz

Turkish Journal of Zoology

The Lakes Region contains wetlands important for Turkey's biodiversity. In this study conducted from October 2000 to September 2002 at Lake Beyşehir, 181 bird species were observed. Sixty-one residents, 43 winter migrants, 51 summer migrants, and 26 transit migrants were observed. According to the IUCN, Pelecanus crispus, Phalacrocorax pygmeus, Aythya nyroca, Haliaeetus albicilla and Falco naumanni are threatened and the other 176 species observed are not. According to the statistical data, Cuculiformes, Strigiformes and Caprimulgiformes were less common, while Passeriformes was the most common order in the study in terms of bird species. Among the other lakes in the Lakes …

Go to article

On The Fish Fauna Of Lake İznik (Turkey), Müfi̇t Özuluğ, Ömer Altun, Nuretti̇n Meri̇ç Jan 2005

On The Fish Fauna Of Lake İznik (Turkey), Müfi̇t Özuluğ, Ömer Altun, Nuretti̇n Meri̇ç

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Lake İznik, which is under the threat of pollution, has been subject to a very limited number of studies in terms of its fish fauna, and therefore the species living in the lake are not well known yet. It was demonstrated that 19 fish species inhabit Lake İznik: Alburnus alburnus (Linnaeus, 1758), Alburnus chalcoides (Güldenstadt, 1772), Barbus tauricus escherichi Steindachner, 1897, Capoeta tinca (Heckel, 1843), Carassius gibelio (Bloch, 1782), Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758, Leuciscus cephalus (Linnaeus, 1758), Rutilus frisii (Nordmann, 1840), Rutilus rutilus (Linnaeus, 1758), Vimba vimba (Linnaeus, 1758), Tinca tinca (Linnaeus, 1758), Cobitis vardarensis Karaman, 1928, Nemacheilus angorae Steindachner, …

Go to article

Allozyme Variation In Spalax Leucodon Nordmann, 1840 (Rodentia: Spalacidae) In The Area Between Ankara And Beyşehir, Teoman Kankiliç, Ercüment Çolak, Reyhan Çolak, Nuri̇ Yi̇ği̇t Jan 2005

Allozyme Variation In Spalax Leucodon Nordmann, 1840 (Rodentia: Spalacidae) In The Area Between Ankara And Beyşehir, Teoman Kankiliç, Ercüment Çolak, Reyhan Çolak, Nuri̇ Yi̇ği̇t

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Eighty-one specimens belonging to 3 populations of Spalax leucodon collected in the area between Ankara and Beyşehir were electrophoretically analyzed. Three enzyme systems, isocitrate dehydrogenase (Idh), esterase (Est) and \alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (\alpha-Gpdh), were screened using horizontal starch gel electrophoresis, and 5 loci were determined. Three loci (Idh-1, Est-1, Est-3) were polymorphic, and 2 (Idh-2, \alpha-Gpdh) were monomorphic. Heterozygosity ranged from 0.1804 (in population A) to 0.2254 (in population K). Genetic divergency in 3 the populations resulted from the locus Idh-1 (F_{st} = 0.0372). The mean value of the fixation index in 3 the populations (F_{st} = 0.0266) reflected little genetic …

Go to article

New Species Of Amphipod Crustaceans In The Genera Tegano And Melita (Hadzioidea : Melitidae) From Subterranean Groundwaters In Guam, Palau, And The Philippines, Thomas R. Sawicki, John R. Holsinger, Thomas M. Iliffe Jan 2005

New Species Of Amphipod Crustaceans In The Genera Tegano And Melita (Hadzioidea : Melitidae) From Subterranean Groundwaters In Guam, Palau, And The Philippines, Thomas R. Sawicki, John R. Holsinger, Thomas M. Iliffe

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Three new species of Tegano are described, two from caves on Panglao Island, Bohol, Philippines, and one from a cave on Peleliu Island, Palau. Sriha vagabunda from Sri Lanka is reassigned to the genus Tegano based primarily on the high degree of similarity between Sriha vagabunda and species of Tegano and the fact that these species exhibit a great deal of variation in the reduction of the mandibular palp. A new species of Melita with characters intermediate between those defining the genera Abludomelita, Melita, and Paraniphargus is described from a spring on Guam. The characters of the new …

Go to article

Mechanical Properties Of The Integument Of The Common Gartersnake, Thamnophis Sirtalis (Serpentes: Colubridae), Gabriel Rivera, Alan H. Savitzky, Jeffrey A. Hinkley Jan 2005

Mechanical Properties Of The Integument Of The Common Gartersnake, Thamnophis Sirtalis (Serpentes: Colubridae), Gabriel Rivera, Alan H. Savitzky, Jeffrey A. Hinkley

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The evolution of the ophidian feeding mechanism has involved substantial morphological restructuring associated with the ability to ingest relatively large prey. Previous studies examining the morphological consequences of macrophagy have concentrated on modifications of the skull and cephalic musculature. Although it is evident that macrophagy requires highly compliant skin, the mechanical properties of the ophidian integument have received limited attention, particularly in the context of feeding. We examined mechanical properties of skin along the body axis in Thamnophis sirtalis (Colubridae). Data were collected from tensile tests and were analyzed using a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and post-hoc multiple comparison …

Go to article

First Prev