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
Atlantic Goliath Grouper (Epinephelus Itajara) Neurocranium,
2026
Nova Southeastern University
Atlantic Goliath Grouper (Epinephelus Itajara) Neurocranium, Sierra Rafacz, Rileigh Gonzalez, Ema Nagel, Nicholas Burchett, David W. Kerstetter
All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series
No abstract provided.
Behavior Of A Komodo Dragon In Relation To Whole-Prey Feeding,
2026
The University of Akron
Behavior Of A Komodo Dragon In Relation To Whole-Prey Feeding, Gurkiran Kaur Natt
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
In zoological settings, whole-prey feeding is an enrichment strategy widely used to prompt naturalistic behaviors; yet, the specific behavioral shifts this causes in reptiles are not well-documented. This study focused on the activity budgets and spatial use of a six-year-old male Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) housed at the Akron Zoo, analyzing his movements in direct response to whole-prey feeding sessions. Over an eight-week observation period, instantaneous scan sampling was utilized to quantify behaviors before and after two distinct whole-prey feeding sessions. Although active behaviors and "not visible" instances increased marginally post-feeding, paired t-tests confirmed these shifts were not statistically significant …
Temporal Avoidance By Gray Foxes Reflects Growing Pressure From Expanding Coyotes In The Neotropics,
2026
University of Montana
Temporal Avoidance By Gray Foxes Reflects Growing Pressure From Expanding Coyotes In The Neotropics, Madison Odenbach
Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts
Coyotes (Canis latrans) are rapidly expanding their range towards South America, potentially threatening the world’s highest canid diversity residing on that continent. A better understanding of their interactions with native species is needed to anticipate potential competitive impacts. In Costa Rica, native gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) likely occupy a similar niche to the coyote newcomer, yet little data exists on their interactions in tropical ecosystems. We hypothesized the two species separate temporally to minimize the potential for competition in our study area, given preliminary data suggesting high spatial overlap (57.1% of coyote-detected sites overlap with fox-detected …
Hidden In The Mist: Three New Species Of Salamanders Of The Genus Pseudoeurycea (Amphibia: Plethodontidae) From Oaxaca, Mexico,
2026
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Hidden In The Mist: Three New Species Of Salamanders Of The Genus Pseudoeurycea (Amphibia: Plethodontidae) From Oaxaca, Mexico, Eduardo A. Aguilar-Herrera, Salomón Sanabria-Urbán, Dulce L. Flores-Martínez, José David Gómez-Tapia, Misael Seba-Chacha, Leopoldo D. Vázquez-Reyes, Francisco A. Rivera-Ortíz, Patricia Ramírez-Bastida, Bruno Cortés-Ortiz, R. Alejandro Calzada-Arciniega, Etienne U. Avila-Ortega, Dónovan I. Víquez-Vega, Omar Hernández-Ordoñez, Christopher Blair, Víctor H. Jiménez-Arcos
Publications and Research
We describe three new species of lungless salamanders (Plethodontidae) in the genus Pseudoeurycea from Cerro Rabon, located on the eastern slopes of the Sierra Mazateca, Oaxaca, Mexico. This mid-elevation mountain, largely surrounded by warmer lowlands, remains relatively understudied. We present molecular and morphological evidence distinguishing the three new species from their congeners. According to our phylogenetic analysis, one of the new species belongs to the P. leprosa group, while the other two are members of the P. juarezi group. Notably, one of the new species represents the fourth worm salamander known from west of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, and another …
Hyena Den Distribution, Human-Hyena Interactions And Mitigation Strategies In The Greater Amboseli Ecosystem,
2026
University of New Hampshire - Main Campus
Hyena Den Distribution, Human-Hyena Interactions And Mitigation Strategies In The Greater Amboseli Ecosystem, Katherine Elizabeth Davis Matczak
Honors Theses and Capstones
The Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta) is a prevalent predator across Africa, recognized for their noticeable gait and powerful jaws which enable them to maul and scavenge on prey. Due to human population growth and encroachment onto wildlife territory, the overlap between human settlements and hyena den sites has become a growing concern, particularly regarding livestock predation. Livestock is intrinsic to livelihoods across Africa, with most individuals deriving their livelihoods from pastoralism. This paper provides an evaluation of den proximities to communities, hyena diet preference, human-hyena conflict/attitudes, and mitigation strategies used to protect hyenas, livestock, and the people. Results …
Systematics Of Disk-Winged Bats (Thyroptera),
2026
Arcadia University
Systematics Of Disk-Winged Bats (Thyroptera), Courtney L. Klumpp
Capstone Showcase
This thesis investigates the evolutionary relationships among disk-winged bats in the genus Thyroptera, a small group of Neotropical bats known for the adhesive suction disks on their wings and feet that allow them to roost inside tightly rolled leaves. The distinctive morphology and behavior of these bats have not been extensively documented, and their phylogenetic relationships remain only partially resolved. The goal of this research is to better understand how these species are related to one another and to determine whether the five recognized species of Thyroptera form a single monophyletic group. To address this question, morphological and genetic …
Indirect Effects Of Coral Bleaching On Tursiops Truncatus Diet And Foraging Behavior In Bocas Del Toro, Panama,
2026
Claremont Colleges
Indirect Effects Of Coral Bleaching On Tursiops Truncatus Diet And Foraging Behavior In Bocas Del Toro, Panama, Annabel Fiero
Scripps Senior Theses
Indirect effects, where another species or factor mediates the effects of a given species, are critical to ecosystem structure and resilience. Shifts in fish community structure, as a result of rapidly declining coral reefs in the Caribbean due to warming-induced bleaching, pose a threat to apex predators like Tursiops truncatus (bottlenose dolphins). Branching corals create habitat niches for numerous fish species. These fish rely on coral for food and habitat, and in turn provide food for upper trophic levels. Prior research has highlighted how coral bleaching will disrupt Acroporid reef building corals and fish community structure, but the effects of …
Ovipositional Behavior Of The Twig Girdler (Cerambycidae: Oncideres Cingulata) On Stems Of Mockernut Hickory (Carya Tomentosa) In Arkansas,
2026
Henderson State University, Arkadelphia
Ovipositional Behavior Of The Twig Girdler (Cerambycidae: Oncideres Cingulata) On Stems Of Mockernut Hickory (Carya Tomentosa) In Arkansas, R. Tumlison, L. Serviss
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
The Twig Girdler (Cerambycidae: Oncideres cingulata) is a long-horned beetle that girdles stems of certain species of trees to prepare a habitat for its offspring. The stems eventually die, break, and fall from the tree, but the beetle usually had already laid its eggs within the stems. Eggs are laid singly, almost always at growth rings or leaf bases. Because the space for the young to develop is finite, laying too many eggs could cause reproductive failure and too few eggs would be suboptimal. We hypothesized that the female laying eggs should be able to evaluate the stem and …
