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Introduction
Three species of hard-shelled freshwater turtles are
found in European and Anatolian Turkey:
Mauremys
rivulata
,
Mauremys caspica
, and
Emys orbicularis
. Until
recently,
M
.
rivulata
and
M
.
caspica
were considered
subspecies of
M
.
caspica
(Baflo¤lu and Baran, 1977; Ernst
and Barbour, 1989); however, Fritz and Freytag (1993),
Wischuf and Fritz (1996), and Fritz and Wischuf (1997)
studied
Mauremys
populations of the Near and Middle
East and clarified its specific status based on color-pattern
and distribution characteristics. In addition, some
investigations of the serology and molecular phylogeny of
Mauremys
support the specific status of both taxa (Barth
et al., 2004; Ayaz et al., 2006). The distribution of
M
.
rivulata
includes Europe, the former Yugoslavia, Greece,
many Aegean Islands, including Crete and Cyprus,
Bulgaria to western and southern Turkey, the coastal
strip of Syria, Lebanon to Israel, and Jordan (Fritz and
Wischuf, 1997; Wischuf and Busack, 2001; Rifai and
Amr, 2004).
Turk J Zool
32 (2008) 137-145
© TÜB‹TAK
137
Distribution and Morphology of
Mauremys rivulata
(Valenciennes, 1833) (Reptilia: Testudines: Geoemydidae) in the
Lake District and Mediterranean Region of Turkey
Dinçer AYAZ1,*, Abidin BUDAK2
1Ege University, Faculty of Science, Biology Department, Hydrobiology Section, TR-35100 Bornova, ‹zmir - TURKEY
2Ege University, Faculty of Science, Biology Department, Zoology Section, TR-35100 Bornova, ‹zmir - TURKEY
Received: 07.11.2006
Abstract: Morphometric measurements and color-pattern features of 62 samples of
Mauremys rivulata
from the Lake District
(Göller Bölgesi) and the Mediterranean Region of Turkey were compared. Between populations, males apparently differed in 10
characters and females in 12 characters (independent t-test), but coefficient of difference (CD) values for these characters were not
significant, and sexes were combined into a single group and compared with Aegean
M. rivulata
with respect to morphometric
features. The greatest straight carapace length (SCL) observed in a male and female Aegean specimen was 215.0 mm and 214.0
mm, respectively. This paper also provides the first record of
M. rivulata
in Lake E¤irdir of the Lake District.
Mauremys rivulata
specimens were captured in Sakçagözü-Kömürler (Gaziantep) on the easternmost border of the study site, whereas no
M. capica
specimens were encountered in the area.
Key Words: Testudines, Geoemydidae,
Mauremys rivulata
, morphology, distribution, Turkey
Göller Bölgesi ve Akdeniz Bölgesi’nde
Mauremys rivulata
(V., 1833)’n›n
Morfolojisi ve Da¤›l›fl› (Reptilia: Testudines: Geoemydidae)
Özet: Göller Bölgesi ve Akdeniz Bölgesi’nden 62
M. rivulata
örne¤i morfometrik ölçümler ve renk-desen özellikleri bak›m›ndan
karfl›laflt›r›lm›flt›r. Renk-desen ve morfometrik ölçümler bak›m›ndan önemli farkl›l›klar tespit edilemedi¤inden birlefltirilmifl ve Ege
Bölgesi
M. rivulata
populasyonu ile morfometrik olarak karfl›laflt›r›lm›flt›r. Independent t-testine göre erkekler 10, difliler 12 karakter
bak›m›ndan ayr›lm›flt›r. ‹statistiksel olarak önemli bulunan bu karakterler için CD (Farkl›l›k Katsay›s›) de¤erleri hesapland›¤›nda hiç
bir karakter için CD de¤eri önemli ç›kmam›flt›r. Erkekler ve diflilerde en büyük düz karapas boyu (SCL) Ege Bölgesi örneklerinden
ölçülmüfltür, s›ras›yla 215.0 mm ve 214.0 mm. Göller Bölgesi’nde E¤irdir Gölü’nde
M. rivulata
’n›n yaflad›¤› ilk kez tespit edilmifltir.
Çal›flma alan›n›n en do¤u s›n›r›n› oluflturan Sakçagözü-Kömürler (Gaziantep)’de
M. rivulata
yakalanm›fl,
M. capica
bulunamam›flt›r.
Anahtar Sözcükler: Testudines, Geoemydidae,
Mauremys rivulata
, morfoloji, da¤›l›fl, Türkiye
* E-mail: dincer.ayaz@ege.edu.tr
Mauremys rivulata
is a well-known species in Turkey.
Fritz and Wischuf (1995) stated that
M
.
rivulata
inhabits
areas dominated by a warm Mediterranean climate,
whereas
M
.
caspica
is confined to a continental steppe
climate. Furthermore, they concluded that there was no
evidence of the presence of
M
.
rivulata
in the continental
high plateau of Central Anatolia. The Anatolian
distribution map of
M. caspica
and
M
.
rivulata
was dealt
with in detail by Eiselt and Spitzenberger (1967). This
map was reproduced, including a few new records, by
Baflo¤lu and Baran (1977) and served as a basis for
studies undertaken by Busack and Ernst (1980), Fritz
and Freytag (1993), and Fritz and Wischuf (1995,
1997). An updated distribution map of both species in
Turkey was also presented by Ayaz et al. (2006).
Information on the morphology and distribution of
M
.
rivulata
in Turkey varies considerably. Studies of Turkish
Thracian turtles by Çevik (1982), and the turtles of
Refladiye Peninsula by Tok (1999) provided only a rough
idea of these regions. Taflkavak et al. (1997) revealed
statistically significant morphological differences between
the 2 populations of
M
.
rivulata
in Anatolia.
This present study examined the morphology and
distribution of
M
.
rivulata
from the Lake District and
Mediterranean Region of Turkey, and compared the
morphometric characteristics of individuals from these
regions with specimens from the Aegean Region.
Material and Methods
Field studies in 20 fresh and brackish water systems,
including the Lake District and Mediterranean Region,
were undertaken between April 2001 and July 2002.
Except for 2 (1 , 1 ¶) specimens previously captured by
other researchers, 62 (27 , 26 ¶¶ and 9 Juvenile)
Mauremys rivulata
specimens were collected from 12
localities (Figure 1). Of these, 58 specimens were
released after the required measurements had been
taken. The 4 remaining (3 , 1 ¶) specimens were
preserved in the museum of the Zoology Department of
Ege University (ZDEU).
Material: ZDEU. 59/2000. 1 , 1 ¶, Kocaaliler (Bucak/
Burdur); ZDEU. 35/2002. 3 , 1 ¶, Kapısuyu
(Samanda¤/Hatay). Released specimens: 4 , 5 juv.,
Kapısuyu (Samanda¤/Hatay); 2 ¶¶, Karasu (Islahiye/
Gaziantep); 1 , 1 ¶, 1 juv., Botafl (Yumurtalık/Adana);
1 , 1 ¶, between Sakçagözü and Kömürler (Gaziantep);
4 , 1 ¶, 1 juv., Hassa (Hatay); 1 , 1 ¶, Bahçe
(Osmaniye); 1 ¶, ‹skenderun (Centrum/Hatay); 3 , 2
¶¶, Lake E¤irdir (Isparta); 1 , 2 ¶¶, Tekebaflı Village
(Samanda¤/Hatay); 5 , 6 ¶¶, 2 juv., Manavgat (Antalya)
and 4 , 6 ¶¶, Akseki (Antalya).
All measurements were taken with calipers and are
straight lines to the nearest 0.1 mm (see detailed
definitions and figures in Fritz, 1995). Specimens with a
maximum straight line carapace length (SCL) < 10 cm
Distribution and Morphology of
Mauremys rivulata
(Valenciennes, 1833) (Reptilia: Testudines: Geoemydidae)
in the Lake District and Mediterranean Region of Turkey
138
Mediterranean Sea
Aegean Sea
50 km
9
112
11
N
4
75
3
6
8
2
10
Figure 1. Study sites. 1) Kocaaliler (Bucak/Burdur), 2) Kapısuyu (Samanda¤/Hatay), 3) Karasu
(Islahiye/Gaziantep), 4) Botafl (Yumurtalık/Adana), 5) Sakçagözü-Kömürler
(Gaziantep), 6) Hassa (Hatay), 7) Bahçe (Osmaniye), 8) ‹skenderun (Centrum/Hatay),
9) Lake E¤irdir (Isparta), 10) Tekebaflı village (Samanda¤/Hatay), 11) Manavgat
(Antalya), and 12) Akseki (Antalya).
were considered juveniles (Winden and Bogaerts, 1992).
Each specimen’s color and pattern characteristics, in
addition to locality elevation, air and water temperature,
pH, and habitat type, were recorded in the field.
The 15 morphometric measurements taken were as
follows: SCL, curved carapace length (CCL), maximum
carapace width (CW), maximum carapace height (CH),
midline plastron length (PL), plastron width from
humeral (PW-I), plastron width from abdominal (PW-II),
gular suture length (GuL), humeral suture length (HuL),
pectoral suture length (PeL), abdominal suture length
(AbL), femoral suture length (FeL), anal suture length
(AnL), nuchal length (NuL), and nuchal width (NuW).
In all, 27 ratios were used to investigate differences
between the Aegean and Mediterranean populations
(SCL:CW, SCL:CH, SCL:PL, SCL:PW-I, SCL:PW-II,
SCL:CCL, SCL:GuL, SCL:HuL, SCL:PeL, SCL:AbL, SCL:FeL,
SCL:AnL, SCL:NuL, SCL:NuW, CW:CH, CW:PL, CW:PW-I,
CW:PW-II, CW:CCL, CW:GuL, CW:HuL, CW:PeL, CW:AbL,
CW:FeL, CW:AnL, CW:NuL, CW:NuW). Ratios were used
due to the uncertainty concerning age groups and
whether growth was isometric. Sexual dimorphism has
been extensively described in turtles (Gibbons and Lovich,
1990) and data were processed separately for each sex.
First, independent t-tests were performed utilizing the
27 ratios to compare male and female specimens
(separately) from the Aegean Region with those from the
Mediterranean. Afterwards, the coefficient of difference
[CD = (mean1-mean2)/(SD1+SD2)] was calculated for the
characters exhibiting differences (Mayr, 1969).
Differences were considered significant when the CD
value was ≥1.28. Statistical analyses were carried out
using SPSS v.10.0. Our
Mauremys rivulata
specimens
were compared with the Aegean population studied by
Ayaz (1998).
Results and Discussion
Distribution and Habitat
In Turkey,
Mauremys rivulata
largely inhabits Thrace,
as well as western and southern Anatolia (Baflo¤lu and
Baran, 1977; Baran and Atatür, 1998). Types of habitat,
specimens (captured or observed), certain physical
characteristics, and ecological parameters of the water
systems studied are given in Table 1.
D. AYAZ, A. BUDAK
139
Table 1. The examined localities and habitat types of
M
.
rivulata
, with some ecological parameters (+: captured or observed, -: not observed).
Localities Habitat Water Air pH
Mauremys
Date Altitude
type (°C) (°C)
rivulata
(m)
Lake Akflehir (Konya) Lake 27 37 7.8 - 13.7.2001 950
Lake Beyflehir (Konya) Lake 28 44 7.1 - 3.7.2001 1080
Lake Çavuflçu (Konya) Lake 23 26 6.8 - 2.7.2001 1010
Lake Eber (Afyonkarahisar) Lake 19.5 23 6.3 - 2.7.2001 860
Lake E¤irdir (‹sparta) Creek 20 24 7.2 + 4.7.2001 880
Lake Kovada (‹sparta) Lake 20 28 7.2 - 4.7.2001 870
Çak›rköy Village (Afyonkarahisar) Canal 14 17 7.7 - 16.5.2001 1005
Ya¤map›nar (Karap›nar/Konya) Spring pool 19.5 26 7.6 - 12.6.2001 1020
Pazara¤aç (Çay/Afyonkarahisar) Marshes 21 25 6.4 - 16.5.2001 925
Kap›suyu Village (Hatay) creek 20 32 7.1 + 4.9.2001 Sea Level
Tekebafl› Village (Hatay) creek 21 33 6.9 + 5.9.2001 Sea Level
Between Sakçagözü-Kömürler (Gaziantep) creek 28 36 6.9 + 9.6.2001 450
Karasu (Gaziantep) stream 29 34 6.7 + 10.6.2001 460
Hassa (Hatay) stream 27 35 7.4 + 10.6.2001 460
Bahçe (Osmaniye) stream 28 36 7.2 + 10.6.2001 460
‹skenderun (Centrum/Hatay) stream 27 33 7.5 + 2.7.2002 Sea Level
Botafl (Yumurtal›k/Adana) creek 28 37 7.1 + 12.6.2001 Sea Level
Huzurkent (Tarsus/Mersin) creek 29 38 6.9 + 3.7.2002 Sea Level
Lake Akyayan (Adana) Lake 27 34 7.4 + 10.6.2001 Sea Level
Lake Akyatan (Adana) Lake 28 35 7.5 + 10.6.2001 Sea Level
In Turkey’s Lake District,
Mauremys rivulata
samples
were caught only in a creek flowing into Lake E¤irdir
from the south; these specimens represent new records.
Specimens were collected by hand from shallow parts of
the creek that supported dense vegetation (
Phragmites
australis
,
Typha angustifolia
, and
Juncus
sp. were the
dominant plant species). Frogs (
Rana ridibunda
) and
snakes (
Natrix natrix
) were also observed in the area.
Eiselt and Spitzenberger (1967), and Fritz and
Freytag (1993) determined the Euphrates and Ceyhan
rivers to be the exact borderlines between the ranges of
Mauremys rivulata
and
M
.
caspica
. Earlier reports of
sympatry between these species near Ankara (Boulenger,
1926; Bird 1936; Bodenheimer, 1944) turned out to be
wrong or doubtful (Fritz and Wischuf 1995). Taflkavak
(1992) stated that in Gölbaflı, Adıyaman County, the
Ceyhan River and a tributary of the Euphrates, Göksu
River,
M
.
caspica
and
M
.
rivulata
are within 5 km of each
other. He recorded specimens from Ceyhan as
M
.
rivulata
, while those from Göksu were identified as
M
.
caspica
. According to Taflkavak (1992), the easternmost
border of the range of
M
.
rivulata
in Anatolia coincides
with Afrin and Karasu creeks, which flow into the Asi
River. In the present study
M
.
rivulata
was captured
between the towns of Kömürler and Sakçagözü
(Gaziantep), forming the easternmost border of our
study area where no
M
.
caspica
were recorded.
Werner (1902) reported
M. caspica
from Porsuk
Creek, a tributary of the Sakarya River (Eskiflehir), but
Eiselt and Spitzenberger (1967) thought this occurrence
could, according to general distribution patterns, be
M
.
rivulata
. The record was later treated as doubtful in
published distribution maps (Baflo¤lu and Baran, 1977;
Fritz and Freytag, 1993). Ayaz (1998) captured 3
specimens of
M
.
rivulata
from fiaphane (Kütahya), about
70 km west of Porsuk Creek.
Morphology
Morphometrics: Morphometric measurements
obtained from adult specimens are shown in Table 2. The
longest SCL for both males and females was measured in
Aegean specimens (215 mm and 214 mm, respectively),
while the shortest was in Mediterranean samples (101
mm for both males and females). Frequency analyses
performed for SCL values revealed that Aegean males and
Mediterranean females demonstrated the longest SCLs
(Figure 2).
Werner (1902) reported an SCL of 180 mm for a
Mauremys rivulata
from Lake Balıklı (Bursa) as the
largest measurement ever recorded from Anatolia.
Siebenrock (1913) did not agree with Werner (1902)
and noted that an
M. rivulata
reported from Mersin
(Mediterranean Region) had a carapace length of 194
mm. According to Siebenrock (1913), the longest
M
.
rivulata
specimens, with carapace lengths measuring up
to 220 mm (Wischuf and Busack, 2001), were found in
Syria and Nahr el Deheb (northwest Syria). Siebenrock
(1913) attributed the difference in carapace length
between specimens from Lake Balıklı, Mersin, and
Eastern Anatolia to geographic variation. These data
suggest that size decreases gradually from east to west,
since specimens from Dalmatia are relatively smaller
(Siebenrock, 1913).
Our findings with respect to maximum SCL contradict
Siebenrock’s (1913) data. This is in line with observations
of SCL for
Mauremys rivulata
from Thrace (196.5 mm)
reported by Çevik (1982) and from Datça (172 mm) by
Tok (1999). Taflkavak et al. (1997) compared
M
.
rivulata
populations in Nurda¤ı (Gaziantep) and ‹zmir, and in
contrast to Siebenrock’s (1913) data, Nurda¤ı
(Gaziantep) specimens were smaller that western
specimens. In conclusion, there is no gradual size
reduction from east to west, suggesting that a
geographically correlated size decrease is a misconception
based on biased sampling. Larger mean values were
measured in males from the Aegean Region and in
females from the Mediterranean Region, but female
measurements were similar to one another in each
population.
Separate t-tests were applied to males and females of
both groups to compare 27 ratios. Population differences
were apparent in males with regard to 10 ratios
(37.04%), and females with regard to 12 ratios
(44.44%) (Table 3). CD values calculated for characters
exhibiting differences indicated that none of the CD values
attained the significant value of 1.28.
SCL:CW and SCL:CH ratios were comparable to those
given in other studies. The Aegean population was similar
to that in Thrace (Çevik, 1982) with regard to SCL:CW
ratio. The Mediterranean population, however,
demonstrated values closer to the Nurda¤ı, Gaziantep
population (Taflkavak et al., 1997). As reported in a
number of other studies (Çevik, 1982; Tok, 1999;
Taflkavak et al., 1997) Aegean and Mediterranean
Distribution and Morphology of
Mauremys rivulata
(Valenciennes, 1833) (Reptilia: Testudines: Geoemydidae)
in the Lake District and Mediterranean Region of Turkey
140
D. AYAZ, A. BUDAK
141
Table 2. The summarized statistical analyses of morphometric measurements of the adult
M
.
rivulata
specimens from the Aegean and Mediterranean
regions. (n = sample size, SD = standard deviation).
Aegean Region
Males Females Overall
n Range Mean SD n Range Mean SD n Range Mean SD
SCL 20 119.0-215.0 169.25 24.76 37 108.0-214.0 157.89 26.57 57 108.0-215.0 161.88 26.30
CCL 20 131.0-241.0 185.90 28.24 37 116.0-236.0 172.95 29.87 57 116.0-241.0 177.49 29.72
CW 20 85.0-145.0 116.35 16.06 37 78.0-146.0 110.73 17.24 57 78.0-146.0 112.70 16.91
CH 20 40.0-71.0 54.05 8.62 37 38.0-82.0 57.46 11.65 57 38.0-82.0 56.26 10.74
PL 20 107.0-184.0 147.10 21.82 37 101.0-201.0 148.16 24.85 57 101.0-201.0 147.79 23.64
PW-I 20 45.0-82.0 63.80 10.47 37 42.0-87.0 63.92 11.31 57 42.0-87.0 63.88 10.93
PW-II 20 51.0-92.0 71.70 10.81 37 45.0-97.0 72.38 12.97 57 45.0-97.0 72.14 12.16
GuL 20 12.0-21.0 17.40 2.58 37 8.0-22.0 17.05 2.92 57 8.0-22.0 17.18 2.79
HuL 20 9.0-16.0 13.00 2.15 37 10.0-19.0 14.00 2.13 57 9.0-19.0 13.65 2.18
PeL 20 16.0-33.0 24.55 4.19 37 17.0-44.0 26.14 5.23 57 16.0-44.0 25.58 4.91
AbL 20 23.0-46.0 34.90 6.39 37 20.0-55.0 35.14 8.97 57 20.0-55.0 35.05 8.10
FeL 20 24.0-37.0 31.75 4.04 37 20.0-40.0 29.76 4.94 57 20.0-40.0 30.46 4.70
AnL 20 10.0-17.0 13.10 1.83 37 12.0-24.0 17.19 2.90 57 10.0-24.0 15.75 3.23
NuL 20 8.0-13.0 11.15 1.53 37 9.0-13.0 10.65 1.06 57 8.0-13.0 10.83 1.26
NuW 20 7.0-12.0 9.60 1.43 37 8.0-14.0 10.22 1.29 57 7.0-14.0 10.00 1.36
Mediterranean Region
SCL 27 101.0-185.0 137.89 29.70 26 101.0-206.0 160.15 29.29 53 101.0-206.0 148.81 31.30
CCL 27 113.0-216.0 156.07 35.39 26 110.0-232.0 181.27 33.38 53 110.0-232.0 168.43 36.38
CW 27 70.8-130.0 97.30 20.27 26 73.7-141.0 114.49 19.99 53 70.8-141.0 105.73 21.74
CH 27 33.0-63.0 44.52 10.07 26 34.0-79.0 60.54 12.82 53 33.0-79.0 52.38 13.97
PL 27 86.2-164.0 121.10 27.99 26 85.8-195.0 151.31 29.01 53 85.8-195.0 135.92 32.08
PW-I 27 38.7-71.2 52.63 11.13 25 38.1-84.8 64.71 13.04 52 38.1-84.8 58.44 13.43
PW-II 27 42.3-81.2 60.56 13.73 26 44.4-97.0 76.43 15.12 53 42.3-97.0 68.34 16.38
GuL 27 10.3-22.2 14.95 3.84 26 9.5-24.1 18.14 3.82 53 9.6-24.1 16.52 4.12
HuL 27 5.6-14.8 10.06 2.71 26 7.7-17.0 12.85 2.42 53 5.6-17.0 11.43 2.91
PeL 27 12.6-26.7 18.14 4.54 25 13.2-34.9 25.02 4.73 52 12.6-34.9 21.45 5.75
AbL 27 17.9-40.1 27.85 7.34 25 17.0-49.8 35.58 9.63 52 17.0-49.8 31.57 9.29
FeL 27 18.5-37.6 25.86 5.98 26 17.7-37.5 30.08 5.74 53 17.7-37.6 27.93 6.18
AnL 27 8.1-15.7 11.06 2.01 26 9.5-25.5 16.97 3.65 53 8.1-25.5 13.96 4.16
NuL 27 6.4-12.0 8.63 1.68 26 6.7-14.0 9.92 1.52 53 6.4-14.0 9.26 1.72
NuW 27 6.7-11.3 8.63 1.17 26 6.7-13.0 9.32 1.59 53 6.7-13.0 8.97 1.42
Distribution and Morphology of
Mauremys rivulata
(Valenciennes, 1833) (Reptilia: Testudines: Geoemydidae)
in the Lake District and Mediterranean Region of Turkey
142
Mediterranean Females (n = 26)
SCL (mm)
Frequency
90 120 150 180 210 240
0
2
4
6
8
10
Mediterranean Males (n = 27)
SCL (mm)
Frequency
90 120 150 180 210 240
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Aegean Females (n = 37)
SCL (mm)
Frequency
90 120 150 180 210 240
0
3
6
9
12
15
Aegean Males (n = 20)
SCL (mm)
Frequency
90 120 150 180 210 240
0
2
4
6
8
Figure 2. Frequency distribution of SCL in the Aegean and Mediterranean regions.
Table 3. Comparison of the 2 populations according to the independent t-test (significant
differences between samples in bold).
Males Females
Ratios
t-value df P t-value df P
SCL:CW -2.826 45 0.007 -3.189 61 0.002
SCL:CH -1.267 45 0.212 -2.403 61 0.019
SCL:PW-II -2.592 45 0.013 -4.242 61 0.000
SCL:CCL -6.212 45 0.000 -7.813 61 0.000
SCL:HuL 1.553 45 0.127 2.328 61 0.023
SCL:PeL 3.450 45 0.001 2.034 60 0.046
SCL:NuL 1.792 45 0.080 2.218 61 0.030
SCL:NuW -2.854 45 0.007 2.341 61 0.023
CW:PW-II -0.833 45 0.409 -2.079 61 0.042
CW:HuL 2.197 45 0.033 2.886 61 0.005
CW:PeL 4.076 45 0.000 2.858 60 0.006
CW:AbL 2.422 45 0.000 0.586 60 0.560
CW:NuL 3.067 45 0.004 3.054 61 0.003
CW:NuW -2.394 45 0.021 2.859 61 0.006
D. AYAZ, A. BUDAK
143
Table 4. Plastral formulae of Mediterranean (27 , 26 ¶¶) and Aegean (20 , 37 ¶¶)
M. rivulata
, presented as sample size, percentage for males; sample size,
percentage for females.
Plastral Formulae Mediterranean Aegean
AbL>FeL>PeL>GuL>AnL>HuL 13, 48.2; 15, 56 8, 40; 9, 24.3
FeL>AbL>PeL>GuL>AnL>HuL 6, 22.2; 3, 12 -
AbL>FeL>PeL>GuL>HuL>AnL 5, 18.5; 2, 8 4, 20; -
AbL>FeL>GuL>PeL>AnL>HuL 2, 7.4; - -
FeL>AbL>PeL>HuL>GuL>AnL 1, 3.7; - -
AbL>FeL>PeL>AnL>HuL>GuL -; 2, 8 -; 1, 2.7
FeL>AbL>PeL>AnL>GuL>HuL -; 1, 4 -
AbL>PeL>FeL>AnL>GuL>HuL -; 1, 4 -
FeL>PeL>AbL>AnL>GuL>HuL -; 1, 4 -
AbL>FeL>PeL>AnL>GuL>HuL -; 1, 4 -; 12, 32.4
AbL>FeL>PeL>GuL>AnL=HuL - 4, 20; -
FeL>AbL>PeL>GuL>HuL>AnL - 2, 10; 1, 2.7
FeL>AbL>PeL>GuL>HuL=AnL - 1, 5; -
AbL>FeL>PeL>AnL=GuL>HuL - 1, 5; 3, 8.1
AbL>FeL>PeL>GuL=AnL=HuL - -; 2, 5.4
AbL>FeL=PeL>AnL>GuL>HuL - -; 2, 5.4
AbL=FeL>PeL>AnL>GuL>HuL - -; 1, 2.7
AbL>FeL>PeL>HuL>GuL>AnL - -; 1, 2.7
FeL>AbL=PeL>GuL>HuL>AnL - -; 1, 2.7
AbL>FeL>PeL>AnL>GuL=HuL - -; 1, 2.7
AbL>PeL>FeL>GuL>AnL>HuL - -; 1, 2.7
FeL>AbL>PeL>HuL>AnL=GuL - -; 1, 2.7
AbL=FeL>PeL>GuL>AnL>HuL - -; 1, 2.7
AB
Figure 3. Dorsal (A) and ventral (B) view of an
M
.
rivulata
specimen (¶, Bahçe, Osmaniye).
populations exhibited similar SCL:CH ratios, and
population CD values were not different.
When plastral formulae were constructed according to
suture length of horny plastron shields of Aegean and
Mediterranean specimens, considerably high variation
was observed (Table 4). Ernst and Barbour (1989) gave
the plastral formulae for male and female specimens of
Mauremys rivulata
in order of decreasing length at the
midline: AbL-FeL-PeL-GuL-AnL-HuL. The formula
provided was encountered in 28 specimens (51.92%) in
the Aegean Region and in 17 (29.83%) in the
Mediterranean Region. The general formula formed by
evaluating Aegean and Mediterranean populations in
groups of males and females, as well as a combined group
of males and females, resembled the formula presented
by Ernst and Barbour (1989), except for females from
the Mediterranean Region.
Color and Pattern: Basic carapace color varied from
light or dark olive green to various shades of brown
(Figure 3A). Dark brown or black coloration was
observed in the plastron (Figure 3B), but dark coloration
was more distinctive in sub-adult and juvenile specimens.
The cream-colored edges of the brown or black plastral
shields in adults were hardly noticeable in sub-adults and
juveniles. In old specimens, however, this light color
widens toward the ventro-median line. With respect to
these characteristics, our data are in agreement with the
literature (Tok, 1999; Fritz and Wischuf, 1997).
Acknowledgements
We thank Dr. Uwe Fritz (Dresden, Germany), Prof.
Dr. Mehmet K. Atatür, and Prof. Dr. Yusuf Kumlutafl for
their valuable comments on an earlier version of the
manuscript. We also thank our friends that joined in the
field work. This work, partly based on Dinçer Ayaz’s
Ph.D. thesis, was supported by a grant obtained from the
Ege University Research Fund (2000-Fen-039). We also
extend our cordial thanks to the Chelonian Research
Institute (U.S.A.) for support during field studies.
Distribution and Morphology of
Mauremys rivulata
(Valenciennes, 1833) (Reptilia: Testudines: Geoemydidae)
in the Lake District and Mediterranean Region of Turkey
144
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