Frequencies And Roles Of Plants In The Diet Of Three Mesocarnivores (Canis Lupaster, Genetta Genetta, And Herpestes Ichneumon): Implications For Forest Regeneration In A North African Hot Spot (Algeria), Messaoud Bensidhoum, Abdelkrim Limane, Larbi Khifer, Ania Ben Ammar, Lylia Amrouche
Turkish Journal of Zoology
The Djurdjura National Park (PND, Algeria) is part of one of the world’s 36 biodiversity hot spots, recognised by the United Nations as a national biosphere reserve. It contains the Darna primary forest, a key habitat for several mesocarnivore mammals, including the golden wolf (Canis lupaster), the common genet (Genetta genetta) and the ichneumon mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon). Although their diets are primarily based on animal prey, these carnivores exhibit both qualitative and quantitative reliance on plants, a pattern that merits thorough documentation. We analysed 30 scats per species per month over four years (1440 scats per species). More than 35% …
Species Identification Using Otolith Morphometry Of Four Gurnards (Family: Triglidae) From Edremit Bay (Aegean Sea),
2026
TÜBİTAK
Species Identification Using Otolith Morphometry Of Four Gurnards (Family: Triglidae) From Edremit Bay (Aegean Sea), Ahmet Mert Şenbahar, Di̇lek İlhan, Aydin Ünlüoğlu, Sencer Akalin
Turkish Journal of Zoology
Shape and size analyses of otoliths are widely considered appropriate tools for distinguishing between fish species and for assessing populations and stocks. The present study aims to distinguish four gurnard species collected from Edremit Bay (Aegean Sea) based on variations in their otolith shape morphology. A total of 60 specimens of Eutrigla gurnardus, 64 of Chelidonichthys lastoviza, 60 of Chelidonichthys lucerna, and 60 of Lepidotrigla cavillone were analyzed. No significant intraspecific differences were noted in the morphology of the left and right otoliths, and so only the left sagittal otoliths were subjected to further analysis. Otolith shape was quantified using …
Spiny Dogfish (Sqaulus Acanthias) Jaw,
2026
Nova Southeastern University
Spiny Dogfish (Sqaulus Acanthias) Jaw, Courtney R. Schober, Sophia R. Oliveira, David W. Kerstetter
All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series
No abstract provided.
Latest Sightings Of The Striped Hyena In North Africa: Major Threats And Conservation Actions,
2026
TÜBİTAK
Latest Sightings Of The Striped Hyena In North Africa: Major Threats And Conservation Actions, Abderrazak El Alami, Abderrazzak Fattah, Ilyas El Alami, Ziad El Alami
Turkish Journal of Zoology
The striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) is widely distributed across the northern half of Africa, the Middle East, the Arabian Peninsula, and parts of Asia. However, numerous studies indicate that this carnivore is in decline, and it is currently classified as near threatened on the IUCN Red List of threatened species. In North Africa, the Hyaena hyaena barbara subspecies has been extirpated from many areas. This article summarizes data collected from observations of the striped hyena in North Africa between 2004 and 2024. Among the 418 striped hyenas recorded in North Africa between 2004 and 2024, 18.4% (n = 77) were …
Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo Cuvier) Jaw,
2026
Nova Southeastern University
Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo Cuvier) Jaw, Nicholas D. Burchett, Jade Mells, David W. Kerstetter
All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series
No abstract provided.
Blue Shark (Prionace Glauca) Jaw,
2026
Nova Southeastern University
Blue Shark (Prionace Glauca) Jaw, Nicholas D. Burchett, David W. Kerstetter
All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series
No abstract provided.
Atlantic Sharpnose (Rhizoprionodon Terraenovae) Chondocranium,
2026
Nova Southeastern University
Atlantic Sharpnose (Rhizoprionodon Terraenovae) Chondocranium, Morgan Indyk, Sarah Hendricks, David W. Kerstetter
All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series
No abstract provided.
A Revision Of The Psammophilic Genus Liobuthus Birula, 1898 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), With A Description Of Four New Species From Central Asia,
2026
Marshall University
A Revision Of The Psammophilic Genus Liobuthus Birula, 1898 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), With A Description Of Four New Species From Central Asia, Victor Fet, František Kovařík, Graeme Lowe, Matthew R. Graham
Euscorpius
The rare Central Asian psammophilic scorpion genus, Liobuthus Birula, 1898 (Scorpiones: Buthidae), is revised. Five species are delineated according to results from three species delimitation approaches using mitochondrial DNA. Results are supported by diagnostic morphology, including an assessment of the distinctive neobothriotaxy. The type species, L. kessleri Birula, 1898, is confirmed for Iran (northeast), Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan (south). Four new species are described: L. atamuradovi sp. n. (Turkmenistan), L. danovi sp. n. (Kazakhstan, northern Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan), L. shukurovi sp. n. (southwestern Tajikistan), and L. vachoni sp. n. (southern Kazakhstan), The unique additive neobothriotaxy (on both pedipalp femur and patella) …
Exploring Molecular And Morphological Diversity Of Ostracoda: A Combined Approach Based On Coi Sequences And Morphological Characters, Serdar Di̇nç, Serap Mutun, Okan Külköylüoğlu
Turkish Journal of Zoology
Ostracods are diminutive aquatic invertebrates with a broad geographical distribution across a diverse range of aquatic habitats, including lentic and lotic freshwater environments as well as marine waters. Due to their sensitivity to environmental changes, ostracods are valuable tools in biodiversity monitoring, providing a link to past, present, and future ecological conditions. Despite the significance of classical taxonomic studies in species identification, molecular approaches remain underutilized in ostracod research, representing an area of potential growth for advancing our understanding of this diverse group. Thus, molecular studies in ostracods have the potential to greatly enhance our understanding of morphology, ecological variation …
Spatial And Temporal Variability Of Mayfly Communities (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) In Mountainous And Semimountainous Rivers Of The Western Aegean Basin,
2026
1Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
Spatial And Temporal Variability Of Mayfly Communities (Insecta: Ephemeroptera) In Mountainous And Semimountainous Rivers Of The Western Aegean Basin, Biljana Rimcheska, Yanka Vidinova
Turkish Journal of Zoology
Mayflies are among the most abundant benthic invertebrates inhabiting natural lotic freshwater systems. Their assemblages vary with environmental, geographical, and hydrological conditions along altitudinal gradients and under different types of watershed disturbance. The main objective of this study was to analyze the composition and β-diversity of mayflies across three river watersheds and to assess how these assemblages differ among them. We collected biological and environmental data from 38 sampling sites distributed across the three river watersheds. We hypothesized that mayfly assemblages would vary with environmental gradients on both spatial and temporal scales; specifically, we expected pristine streams to exhibit higher …
Towards The Assessment Of E-Flows: A Fish-Based Approach For The Tiber River Basin (Central Italy),
2026
TÜBİTAK
Towards The Assessment Of E-Flows: A Fish-Based Approach For The Tiber River Basin (Central Italy), Antonella Carosi, Francesca Lorenzoni, Fatemeh Zarei, Rachele Brustenga, Lucio Di Matteo, Daniela Valigi, Corrado Cencetti, Carlo Cardellini, Stefano Casadei, David Cappelletti, Massimo Lorenzoni
Turkish Journal of Zoology
Estimating ecological flows (EFs) in rivers is crucial for meeting the Water Framework Directive (WFD) 2000/60/EC goals. To develop an EF model, it is essential to use biological indicators to reliably record the impacts of human-induced alterations on aquatic ecosystems. The adaptability of fish to annual flow variability makes them a significant biological quality element (BQE). Consequently, using fish as bioindicators is a powerful tool for assessing the impact of changes in the hydrological regime on the natural communities within a river system. The new index of the ecological status of fish communities (NISECI) is a methodology developed in Italy …
Chlorella Vulgaris Measurements Using Full-Spectrum Goniometer For Optically Complex Inland Water Monitoring,
2026
TÜBİTAK
Chlorella Vulgaris Measurements Using Full-Spectrum Goniometer For Optically Complex Inland Water Monitoring, Pinar Gürbüzer, Uğur Murat Leloğlu
Turkish Journal of Zoology
Rising environmental stressors, including climate change, nutrient loading, pollution, and anthropogenic impacts, have made the continuous monitoring of lake water quality increasingly essential. While in situ methods offer high precision, satellite-based remote sensing is essential for capturing large-scale, long-term changes and accessing remote or extreme environments. To complement these approaches, we developed a cost-effective in situ optical measurement system specifically designed for optically complex inland waters. T he instrument enables detailed optical characterization across scattering angles from 0° to 160° and wavelengths between 423 and 728 nm, covering both visible and near-infrared regions. Initial validation was performed using monocultures of …
Bull Shark (Carcharhinus Leucas) Jaw,
2026
Nova Southeastern University
Bull Shark (Carcharhinus Leucas) Jaw, Roman Devlin, Jade A. Mells, Rileigh Gonzalez, Nicholas D. Burchett, David W. Kerstetter
All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series
No abstract provided.
Zonation-Dependent Distribution Of Microplastic Occurrence In Patella Caerulea From Mersin Coast, Türkiye,
2026
TÜBİTAK
Zonation-Dependent Distribution Of Microplastic Occurrence In Patella Caerulea From Mersin Coast, Türkiye, Ezgi̇ Deği̇rmenci̇, Nuray Çi̇ftçi̇, Sedat Gündoğdu, Deni̇z Ayas
Turkish Journal of Zoology
Increasing plastic pollution has become a critical environmental issue, leading to challenges in management. Specifically, microplastics (MPs) are of particular concern because they can persist in aquatic ecosystems and adversely affect marine organisms. The objective of this study was to assess the occurrence of MPs in the soft tissues of Patella caerulea (Linnaeus, 1758) collected from the Mersin Viranşehir coastal area. As no specimens were found in the supralittoral zone, the decision was taken to conduct sampling only in the mediolittoral and infralittoral zones. The total sampling area was 24 m2 divided into three 4-m2 plots in each zone. A …
Blinking Without Eyelids: First Video-Documented Evidence Of A Blink-Like Reflex In Ophisops Elegans (Reptilia: Lacertidae),
2026
TÜBİTAK
Blinking Without Eyelids: First Video-Documented Evidence Of A Blink-Like Reflex In Ophisops Elegans (Reptilia: Lacertidae), Turan Meri̇ç Çelebi̇, Yusuf Çeli̇kaği, Tuana Kinay, Arda Cem Kuyucu, Muammer Kurnaz, Mehmet Kürşat Şahi̇n
Turkish Journal of Zoology
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 …
Growth Patterns And The Shift From Predominantly Female To Balanced Sex Ratios In Carassius Gibelio (Bloch, 1782): A Comparative Study Of Lotic And Lentic Populations In Serbia, Tamara Mitić, Jelena Čanak Atlagić, Ana Marić, Jelena Stanković Ristić, Nikola Marinković, Momir Paunović, Predrag Simonović
Turkish Journal of Zoology
Since its introduction into Serbian watercourses, the invasive Carassius gibelio (Bloch, 1782) (Prussian carp) has spread rapidly. This paper provides an up-to-date overview of the sex ratio, age structure, and growth parameters in Serbian populations of this fish and describes how growth varies in two contrasting ecosystems: lotic and lentic. A total of 133 individuals were sampled. The individuals from lentic habitats were longer on average, with no significant differences in average weight or age between the two ecosystem types. There was a difference in the sex ratio between the ecosystems, as indicated by a higher proportion of males in …
Habitat Diversity Or Altitudinal Gradient? Which Factor Better Explains Ground Beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Biodiversity? A Case Study From Davraz Mountain (Isparta, Türkiye), Ebru Ceren Fi̇dan, Ali̇ Gök
Turkish Journal of Zoology
Ground beetle (Carabidae) species diversity and spatial distribution were surveyed across five habitat types along an elevational gradient on Davraz Mountain, a biogeographical transition area in southwestern Türkiye. The analyses showed that habitat heterogeneity—particularly soil moisture and texture—exerts a stronger influence on carabid diversity than elevation. Sørensen’s and Jaccard similarity indices showed strong faunal overlap between some sampling areas, while multivariate principal components and canonical correspondence analyses verified distinct environmental gradients influencing community structure. Diversity indices indicated varying levels of species richness and evenness across sampling areas. The data highlight the importance of fine-scaled habitat features in driving ground beetle …
Dna Metabarcoding Approach To The Determination Of The Diet Spectrum Of The Common Sunbleak Leucaspius Delineatus (Heckel, 1843), Elena V. Dzyuba, Yurij S. Bukin, Bakhtiar E. Bogdanov, Yulia P. Sapozhnikova, Natalia N. Denikina
Turkish Journal of Zoology
The common sunbleak (Leucaspius delineatus) is an invasive fish found in Siberian water bodies, the trophic interactions and impact on local ecosystems of which remain poorly understood. Traditional diet analyses are limited by the mechanical damage to the prey. For the present study, therefore, we employed DNA metabarcoding of the cytochrome c oxidase I (cox1) gene to analyze the digestive tract contents of the common sunbleak obtained from Irkutsk Reservoir. Our analysis revealed 53 operational taxonomic units (OTUs), with sequences of amphibiotic insects (58.66%) and fish (34.10%) being the most prevalent. A significant proportion of the fish DNA, including sequences …
Longfin Mako (Isurus Paucus) Jaw,
2026
Nova Southeastern University
Longfin Mako (Isurus Paucus) Jaw, Nicholas D. Burchett, David W. Kerstetter
All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series
No abstract provided.
Male Great Hammerhead (Sphyrna Mokarran) Chondrocranium,
2026
Nova Southeastern University
Male Great Hammerhead (Sphyrna Mokarran) Chondrocranium, Michelle W. Bassali, Nicholas D. Burchett, Samuel Escobar, Preston Rice, David W. Kerstetter
All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series
Male ~10ft Great Hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran) Chondrocranium
