Kerim Çiçek

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• Professor
• Professor at Ege University

The Russian invasion and war have severely affected ecosystems of Ukraine, resulting in extensive deforestation, habitat degradation, and biodiversity loss. As a result, ecosystems have been disrupted, ecological stability has been altered, and vulnerability to diseases and wildfires has increased. Conducted in eastern Ukraine, this study used remo...

The Quercus genus is found across a broad latitudinal range, and its spread in heterogeneous ecosystems is influenced by environmental, genetic, and anthropogenic factors. However, Mediterranean oak ecosystems, in particular, have been significantly impacted by climate-driven shifts. These shifts reshape the composition and spatial configuration of...

Global Roadkill Data: a dataset on terrestrial vertebrate mortality caused by collision with vehicles (Supplementary information)

Roadkill is widely recognized as one of the primary negative effects of roads on many wildlife species and also has socioeconomic impacts when they result in accidents. A comprehensive dataset of roadkill locations is essential to evaluate the factors contributing to roadkill risk and to enhance our comprehension of its impact on wildlife populatio...

Roadkill is widely recognized as one of the primary negative effects of roads on many wildlife species and also has socioeconomic impacts when they result in accidents. A comprehensive dataset of roadkill locations is essential to evaluate the factors contributing to roadkill risk and to enhance our comprehension of its impact on wildlife populatio...

Biological invasions are one of the major threats to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning worldwide. Rose-ringed Parakeets (Psittacula krameri) are well-known invaders and have established populations in over 40 countries outside their native range. Regular records of Rose-ringed Parakeets in Turkey go back to 1975, and the species has establishe...

The Mediterranean region is one of the 36 hotspots of the world that will be most affected by climate change, with river ecosystems being among the most sensitive to these effects. Therefore, it is necessary to understand and monitor the effects that are occurring through the use of aquatic macroinvertebrates as bioindicators of climate change. To...

The implantation of wind farms in the European territory is being deployed at an accelerated pace. In the proposed framework, the province of La Coruña in the autonomous community of Galicia is tested, with a wide deployment of this type of infrastructure in the territory initiated in the 80s, representing the third autonomous community with the la...

Vejetasyon Coğrafyası’na ilk ve ortaöğretimdeki dersler içerisinde çok az yer ayrılmaktadır. Bu durum çevre eğitimi açısından büyük bir eksikliktir. Sosyal bilgiler, coğrafya, biyoloji ve çevre bilgisi kitapları içerisindeki sınırlı ölçüdeki vejetasyon konuları da doğal bitki örtüsü ile iklim, yeryüzü şekilleri ve beşeri faktörler arasındaki etkile...

Understanding how climate change influences the geographical distribution of species within an ecological niche is essential for predicting habitat shifts and informing conservation efforts. This study evaluates the impact of climate change on habitat suitability and ecological connectivity of wych elm (Ulmus glabra Huds.) in Türkiye. The study exp...

The Bolkar Mountain Viper, 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢 𝘣𝘶𝘭𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘢𝘨𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘢 (Nilson & Andren, 1985), is a mountain viper found in the eastern Mediterranean region. In this study, we present data on the seasonal variation in diet composition across two different habitats in the Central Taurus Mountains of Anatolia, Türkiye. The Karboğazı population inhabits a subalpine sh...

We present the GLOBAL ROADKILL DATA, the largest worldwide compilation of roadkill data on terrestrial vertebrates. We outline the workflow (Fig. 1) to illustrate the sequential steps of the study, in which we merged local-scale survey datasets and opportunistic records into a unified roadkill large dataset comprising 208,570 roadkill records. Thes...

The deterioration of natural habitats for oak species has steadily occurred as a consequence of both climate change and human pressure. Therefore, detailed and reliable information about the geographic distribution of oak species under changing climate conditions is needed for diverse ecological and conservation practices. This study examined the h...

The alarming decline of amphibians, sometimes marked by sudden extinctions, underlines the urgent need for increased conservation efforts. Conservationists recognize that more action, particularly the setting of national targets, is needed to ensure the future persistence and recovery of species and habitats. Protecting habitats that harbor evoluti...

Biological invasions are increasingly recognised as a major global change that erodes ecosystems, societal well-being, and economies. However, comprehensive analyses of their economic ramifications are missing for most national economies, despite rapidly escalating costs globally. Türkiye is highly vulnerable to biological invasions owing to its ex...

Amphibians are the most endangered taxa among vertebrates, and they face many threats during their complex life cycles. the species' life history traits and occurrence database help understand species responses against ecological factors. Consequently, the species-level-trait database has gained more prominence in recent years as a useful tool for...

Knowledge on life history traits and population dynamics of amphibians from northeastern Ana-tolia is limited. This results in a heavy reliance on published data regarding the European and Caucasian counterparts of the Anatolian populations in local conservation studies. The present study evaluated the phenology, age structure, population size, and...

Simple Summary This study evaluates the effectiveness of an ecological bridge, constructed in 2020 in the Zeytinler neighborhood, as a solution to mitigate wild-boar–vehicle collisions (WVCs) on the Izmir-Çeşme motorway. The Zeytinler Ecological Bridge was monitored and analyzed for wildlife crossings, particularly by wild boars. Between August 202...

The Iraq Babbler, Argya altirostris (Hartert, 1909), previously known only along the Euphrates and Tigris rivers in Iraq, Syria, and western Iran, was discovered in Türkiye at the end of the 1990s. It was observed only along the Euphrates Valley between Nizip (Gaziantep) and Birecik (Şanlıurfa) for more than 15 years. Recently, it was seen in some...

In the study, Medon turcicus sp. nov. from Yıldız Mountain in Sivas province, central northern Anatolia, Turkey, is described, illustrated, and separated from related congeners. The distribution of the new species is mapped. Additional Turkish records of seven Medon species, all earlier known from Turkey, are reported. Accounting for a new species,...

Reproductive biology of Marsh frogs (Pelophylax ridibundus s.l.) was investigated in the Eastern Mediterranean Region of Türkiye in terms of reproductive phenology, fecundity, clutch size, reproductive effort, and mate choice. Frogs are active for approximately ten months throughout the year and hibernate between November and January. Breeding occu...

Snakes are among the most misunderstood and mistreated of all vertebrate groups across the globe, suffering from myriad anthropogenic threats ranging from habitat destruction to direct persecution. Ensuring the long-term sustainability of global snake biodiversity urgently necessitates effective conservation and management strategies to be postulat...

Lycian salamanders, genus Lyciasalamandra, are a group of seven allopatric, endangered species restricted to the Mediterranean coast of Anatolia, Turkey and certain adjacent Aegean islands. In this study, we created maps to prediction the potential ranges for six of these species using a maximum-entropy algorithm to identify the most significant en...

The North American terrapin, the red-eared slider, has globally recognized invasive status. We built a new extensive database using our own original and literature data on the ecology of this reptile, representing information on 1477 water bodies throughout Eurasia over the last 50 years. The analysis reveals regions of earliest introductions and l...

The yellow-winged darter (Sympetrum flaveolum Linnaeus, 1758, Odonata), which is associated with high mountain areas, can be considered a flagship species. Due to climate change, its natural range will be negatively affected. In this study, we propose global potential distributions for this species up to the year 2100, considering four time periods...

The endangered Caucasian salamander, Mertensiella caucasica (Waga, 1876), is endemic to the western Lesser Caucasus. Here, we used N-mixed models to analyse repeated count data of Caucasian salamanders from the eastern Black Sea region of Turkey. We estimated a mean detection probability of 0.29, a population size of 21 individuals, and a range of...

Trachemys scripta is included among the 100 most invasive species worldwide. Since the first report on the presence of pond slider turtles from natural habitats in Türkiye, the distribution of this invasive species comprises almost thirty provinces. However, it spread to much wider sites than the regions determined until today. Besides, there is a...

Habitats have been undergoing significant changes due to environmental processes and human impact that lead into habitat fragmentation and connectivity loss. To improve quality habitats and maintain ecological connectivity, elements that improve the connectivity of habitats need to be identified. To meet this goal, finding optimal pathways location...

Here, we present the etymology of the Latin binomials of all Turkish amphibian genera and species. According to our review, the names are mostly given according to the characteristics and features of the species or in honor of a person. Reviewing the etymologies of the Latin names of amphibian species living in Türkiye and compiling information and...

Here, we present the etymology of the Latin binomials of all reptile genera and species in Türkiye. According to our results, the names are mostly given according to the characteristics of the species or in honor of a person. Reviewing the etymologies of the Latin names of reptile species living in Türkiye, and compiling information and heritage wi...

Forecasting the distribution patterns of invasive weed species under changing climate conditions is critical for the early identification of especially vulnerable regions and the implementation of effective preventive measures. In this study, the current and potential range of stranglewort (Cynanchum acutum L.)—an invasive alien species (IAS) in ce...

The Arabian Sand Gazelle (Gazella marica Thomas, 1897) is endemic to the Middle East and its populations in South-eastern Anatolia in Turkey are in danger of extinction. Here, we focus on its protected habitats in the Mesopotamian steppes and examine how to create connectivity between habitats under changing climate conditions. We use ecological ni...

The Lycian salamanders consist of seven allopatric endangered and endemic species restricted to Mediterranean Turkey and some adjacent Aegean islands. Mega forest fires occurred consecutively over a prolonged period of time in the distribution areas of six of the species in 2021, leading to habitat fragmentation and habitat loss. In this study, we...

The effects of climate change on species can influence the delicate balance in ecosystems. For this reason, conservation planning needs to take account of connectivity and the related ecological processes within the framework of climate change. In this study, we focus on the change in the ecological connectivity of the Lebanon cedar (Cedrus libani...

The cedar of Lebanon, Cedrus libani A. Rich, is distributed around the shores of the eastern Mediterranean in Turkey, Syria and Lebanon. The most anamolous aspect of its distribution is its presence in two patches in the Black Sea Region, approximately 500 km to the north of its main distribution in Turkey. Cuneiform tablets speak of an area which...

Seasonal and ontogenic variation of food composition in Anatolian water frogs (Pelophylax ridibundus group) were analysed in the Seyhan and Ceyhan Deltas, southern Turkey. A total of 1,226 prey items were retrieved from the stomachs of 335 individuals (75 juveniles, 148 males, 112 females) in spring, summer and autumn. The frogs fed mainly upon inv...

Knowledge on the spatial distribution of taxa is crucial for the decision-making processes in the conservation and management of biodiversity that rely on precise distribution data. We present an annotated list for a total of 37 amphibian (20 caudatans and 17 anurans) and 139 reptile species (11 chelonians, 68 lizards, 3 amphisbaenians and 57 snake...

Mediterranean wetlands are among the most threatened natural areas. The needs and demands of an increasing human population are modifying land use and converting natural habitats into artificial areas. In order to combat these trends, effective conservation planning needs to provide clear, systematic identification of threats to find sustainable co...

Eiselt's pond turtle (Emys orbicularis eiselti) was described in 1998, based on only 4 museum specimens collected in the 1960s and 1970s. Its distribution range has been massively reduced by large-scale drainage measures and only little suitable habitat remains near the Turkish–Syrian border. During 20-yr-long fieldwork we could locate only 18 indi...

Biological invasions are recognized as one of the global problems accompanying the development of human civilization. The red-eared slider, Trachemys scripta elegans, originates from North America. This freshwater terrapin is one of the most popular pet reptiles in Eurasia. Young red-eared slider individuals are small and brightly colored, making t...

Reptiles contribute to the global process of biological invasions, one of the problems accompanying the development of human civilization. The red-eared slider, Trachemys scripta elegans is one of the most popular pet reptiles in the world. Uncontrolled releases of this animal into outdoor water bodies represents a conservational issue. We combined...

The Anatolian viper, Vipera anatolica Eiselt & Baran, 1970, is the rarest, critically endangered, and endemic spe-cies in the western Taurus Mountains, Antalya, Turkey. Here, we evaluated the current status, potential threats,and recommended necessary conservation measures for Anatolian meadow viper. We created some activ-ities during the 5-year sp...

The ability to identify the spatial distribution of medically important scorpion species is crucial for public health and conservation management. Scorpion stings are one of the important public health problems in south and southwest Iran. A potentially valuable approach is maximum entropy (MaxEnt) spatial distribution modeling which was applied he...

The Spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with small and fragmented populations located around the Mediterranean basin. In Turkey, this species has remained poorly studied which hampers solid assessment of threats and conservation measures. We studied the spatial distribution, habitat use, and demograp...

Frogs have been harvested from the wild for the last 40 years in Turkey. We analysed the population dynamics of Anatolian water frogs ( Pelophylax spp.) in the Seyhan and Ceyhan Deltas during 2013–2015. We marked a total of 13,811 individuals during 3 years, estimated population sizes, simulated the dynamics of a harvested population over 50 years,...

Wetlands are critically important for biodiversity and human wellbeing, but face a range of challenges. This is especially true in the Mediterranean region, where wetlands support endemic and threatened species and remain integral to human societies, but have been severely degraded in recent decades. Here, in order to raise awareness of future chal...

Here we studied the possible cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Anatolian endemic mountain viper, Montivipera bulgardaghica albizona (M.b. albizona) venom on human PC-3 and DU-145 prostate cancer cell lines. M.b. albizona venom induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis of both prostate cancer cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Protein array result...

In this study, 702 specimens belonging to the genus Medon Sephens were examined. The material was obtained from various field trips between 2010-2019 by using aspirator, sifter, pitfall trap, berlese funnel and MSS trap methods. As a result of the study, 15 of the 22 known species from Turkey were identified.Medon brunneus (Erichson, 1839), M. ferr...

The Marmaris salamander is an endemic and endangered amphibian species in Southwestern Anatolia. Here, we estimated some population parameters of the Marmaris salamander by conducting a total of 40 days of intensive sampling across 5 different sites. We marked 323 salamanders with visible implant elastomer between 2017 and 2019 and recaptured 46 of...

We studied the age structure of a population of the Ocellated Skink, Chalcides ocellatus in Mediterranean Turkey using the skeletochronological method. We examined the cross sections of femoral diaphyseal of a total of 106 museum specimens including 53 adult females and 42 adult males. The snout-vent length was significantly correlated with age. Th...

The study presents data on the food composition of the Unisexual Lizard, Darevskia unisexualis (Darevsky, 1966), from Hanak, Ardahan, Turkey. A total of 172 preys were determined in the digestive systems of 44 individuals examined in the study. Insecta, Aranea, Malacostraca, and Gastropoda constitute food composition of lizards. Major prey groups i...

We evaluated the current status and main threats to the Caucasus viper (Vipera kaznakovi Nikolsky 1909), from the East Black Sea Region, Turkey, via 21 days of intensive fieldwork and interviews with locals. We found that habitat loss and destruction, illegal collection, and intentional or accidental killings are the main threats to V. kaznakovi in...

A new Ottoman viper subspecies, M. xanthina varoli n. subsp., is described from the higher altitudes of Gündoğmuş (Antalya). The new subspecies differs from the other M. xanthina populations by pholidosis; higher number of intercanthals and lower number of subcaudalia. Also, the whiteness between windings or spots on dorsum pattern were observed in...

Here, we aimed to enlighten the intra-specific differences of dermis in terms of thickness of Eberth-Katschenko (E-K) layer in Bufo bufo, Bufotes variabilis, Pelophylax bedriagae and Hyla savignyi. Main function of E-K layer is known to be a barrier for water loss. Therefore, we studied Bufo bufo and Bufotes variabilis for terrestrial, Hyla savigny...

Amphibians developed various defensive strategies in order to be protected from predators and increase their survival success. One of these behaviors is called "immobility", in which during threat of predator attacks, amphibians stand still and then curl their tails and heads inward to show the "threatening" body coloration to the predator. Here, w...

Reported are seven new sites of Lyciasalamandra flavimembris found in southeastern Anatolia, Turkey. These data extend the species' distribution range by 45 km in the southwest creating a total species' area of 115 km 2. We compared morphological and color-pattern characteristics from the new sites with previously published data. The new population...

Interactions between the environment and internal regulation drive the biophysiological dynamics of lizards. Although diurnal lizards are usually heliothermic, they can sometimes be active in the absence of sunlight. Here, we report, for the first time, a case of nocturnal behavior (aided by the artificial light) in the spiny-tailed lizard-Darevski...

The Mountain viper, Montivipera albizona, is an endemic to Anatolia and distributes in Anatolian Diagonal, Anti-Taurus Mountains and Amanos Mountains. Unfortunately, the species faced serious threats within narrow distribution range. Here, we evaluated the present status and main threats of the Mountain viper by 60-days intensive fieldwork and inte...

Here, we report a reproduction observation of Chamaeleo chameleon from Güllük, (Milas, Muğla) Turkey. During our fieldwork on 20 September 2013, we captured a female chameleon, brought it to the laboratory and kept it in a terrarium for a brief period. The chameleon (SVL= 153.4 mm, total length, TL=288.6 mm) suddenly died on 30 October 2013. We dis...

Here, we report some new localities for Pelodytes caucasicus, Caucasian Parsley Frog, from Giresun (Cımbırtlık, Dereli and Gelevera River) and Mertensiella caucasica, Caucasian Salamander, from Gümüşhane (Kocadal and Kalis River) provinces based on our fieldwork conducted in 2017. These new localities were filled in the gap in the both species' dis...

Two new Viper specimens obtained from Zekeriyaköy (Ardanuç, Artvin) in Northeastern Anatolia were investigated. When obtained data were compared with the related literature, it was observed that pholidosis characteristics and body measurements of the retrieved specimens were similar to both Vipera (Pelias) olguni and Vipera (Pelias) darevskii. The...

Borçka-Karagöl Tabiat Parkı ve çevresinde yayılış gösteren kurbağa türleri ve dağılışları, 2003-2006 yıllarıile 2015-2017 yıllarında yapılan arazi çalışmalarıyla belirlenmiştir. Karagöl Tabiat Parkı ve çevresinde 5 kuyruksuz[Rana macrocnemis, Pelophylax ridibundus, Hyla orientalis, Pelodytes caucasicus ve Bufo verrucosissimus] veiki kuyruklu kurbağ...

Introduction: Lizards display a broad activity pattern variety due to interactions between their internal rhythms and environment. Moreover, Lacertids normally considered to represent diurnal activity patterns in their habitats as a result of their heliothermic strategy. Although several reports in the literature have noted nocturnal activity in pr...

The study presents (1) a literature review and an update on geographic distribution of critically endangered Horvath's Toad-Headed Agama in the Araks River Valley, (2) presents evidence about influence of 7 temperature and precipitation, and relief related variable on shaping of fundamental niche for this lizard at regional scale; (3) Estimates...

In this study, we implemented an inventory of amphibians and reptiles between 2013 and 2016 in the Gediz delta (İzmir, Turkey). The field results were then combined with existing records. According to the data obtained, a total of 35 herptile species, comprising 7 amphibians (2 urodeles, 5 anurans) and 28 reptiles (6 chelonians, 10 lizards and 12 s...

In this study, we conducted an inventory of amphibians and reptiles between 2013 and 2016 in the Gediz Delta (İzmir, Turkey). The field results were combined with existing records. According to the data obtained, a total of 35 herptile species live in the region, comprising 7 amphibians (2 urodeles, 5 anurans) and 28 reptiles (6 chelonians, 10 liza...

For two consecutive years (2012 and 2013), studies on reproductive ecology of Emys orbicularis were conducted at seven localities in the Mediterranean region of Turkey. Our findings show that individuals usually emerge from hibernation between the end of February and early March. Depending on latitude and elevation, mating occurred between March an...

The Lake E?irdir is the fourth largest lake in Anatolia, with an area of 468 km². By using a mark-recapture method, the population of Emys orbicularis was monitored for three consecutive years (2011–2013) and data regarding their population size, sex ratio and information about habitats used was gathered. During the whole sampling period, 4 juvenil...

This study describes a new subspecies of Ophisops elegans from vicinity of Mut, Mersin, Turkey and named Ophisops elegans budakibarani n. subsp. The new subspecies is distinguished from geographically the closest subspecies O. elegans basoglui, found in the south of its distribution, by having higher number of the longitudinal row of scales+plates...

This study presents data on the food composition of the Near Eastern Fire Salamander, Salamandra infraimmaculata, from Bingöl, eastern Turkey. A total of 139 prey items was determined in the food content of 28 individuals (14 juveniles, 7 males, and 7 females). Insecta (N%= 37.4), Gastropoda (27.3%), and Isopoda (25.9%) constitute together 91% of t...

Italian wall lizard, Podarcis siculus, is native to Italy including the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, to southern Switzerland and southern France, and to the northwestern Balkan Peninsula. However, the species is known for colonising and adapting successfully to different places outside its natural range. It has been introduced to Spain, Turkey,...

In this study, with the aim of evaluating coagulant activities in the venom of M. xanthina, we analyzed venom proteins, digestion patterns of fibrinogen chains with venom and the effects of protease inhibitors on M. xanthina venom proteases using Tricine-sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Venom samples were obtained from fou...

We studied skin pigmentation characteristics of the starred agama, Stellagama stellio, at different altitudes and climate conditions from Anatolia, Turkey. The epidermis was composed of stratum corneum and stratum basale, while the dermis occupied a much larger area. Melanophores were only found in the dermis and melanin pigments exhibited differen...

Here, the current and future distributions of Neurergus strauchii was predicted by using the maximum entropy ecological niche modeling. The most important factors which shaped the present distribution of the species are isothermality and precipitation of driest month. The species is particularly distributed on the Euphrates Valley and in the west a...

In this study, we report two new localities of Xerotyphlops vermicularis from western and central Black Sea Region. With these records, the distribution of the species is extended about 90km to the north. The specimens were examined morphologically and compared with the relevant literature. In addition, on the basis of the new and literature record...

A report of the occurrence of a dimorphic population of Smooth Newts in Lake Sazlı (Izmir, Western Anatolia, Turkey). During fieldwork on March 2015, 29 aquatic individuals (seven males, 22 females) were captured and of these individuals, five were paedomorphic (four males, one female). The metamorphic (83%) and paedomorphic (17%) ratio of the popu...

A report of the occurrence of a dimorphic population of Smooth Newts in Lake Sazlı (Izmir, Western Anatolia, Turkey). During fieldwork on March 2015, 29 aquatic individuals (seven males, 22 females) were captured and of these individuals, five were paedomorphic (four males, one female). The metamorphic (83%) and paedomorphic (17%) ratio of the popu...