Island Of Cyprus Research Articles

First record of Sphenophorus placidus vestitus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Dryophthorinae) in Cyprus

Summary The Nearctic weevil Sphenophorus placidus vestitus Chittenden, 1904, an alien pest which is known to infest turfgrasses is reported for the first time on the island of Cyprus. A single specimen was collected from Famagusta (Ammochostos), Protaras in 2012. The species distribution and possible economic impacts are shortly discussed. A checklist for the alien Dryophthorinae of Cyprus is presented.

First record of the alien seed beetle Stator limbatus (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Bruchinae) from Cyprus

The subfamily Bruchinae includes the majority of alien to Europe Chrysomelidae. Up-to-date, seven alien seed-beetle species have been collected from Cyprus affecting ornamental plants and stored products. During the last decade Stator limbatus (Horn, 1873), a New World species has been gradually reported invading Middle-Eastern countries and Mediterranean islands. In this publication, S. limbatus is recorded for the first time from the island of Cyprus. Specimens were collected from Ficus microcarpa, Eucalyptus sp. and Delonix regia, with the later species being confirmed as a suitable host for S. limbatus. The alarming presence of S. limbatus in both urban and protected areas raises some questions about any adverse effects on native biodiversity and socioeconomic parameters. The general lack of knowledge regarding the Bruchinae fauna of Cyprus hampers research endeavours for possible agonistic behaviour between native and alien species for resources and host-plants.

A 3-Dimensional analysis of long-range transported particulate matter to the Eastern Mediterranean: Implication for the chemical components of PM1 and PM10

This study aims to better characterize the location of the strong regional emitters of aerosols affecting the Eastern Mediterranean basin, through the use of a recently developed three-dimensional (3D) version of a Concentration Weighted Trajectory (CWT) model which can identify the prevalent transport pattern of polluted air masses as a function of their altitude (0 m ≤ Layer 1 < 1000 m (near ground layer), 1000 m ≤ Layer 2 < 2000m (intermediate layer), 2000m ≤ Layer 3 (upper layer)). Daily PM10 and PM1 chemical composition measurements from a regional background station on the island of Cyprus were incorporated in the model. Intrusions of PM1 constituents of an anthropogenic origin (Secondary Inorganic Aerosols (SIA) (SO42− and NH4+), K+, EC and OC), were mainly associated with Eastern continental airflows (Middle East regions) in Layers 1 and 2 during the cold periods (16 October to 15 April). During the warm periods (16 April to 15 October) the prevalence of Northern airflows in all layers mainly through Turkey enhanced the levels of SIA and K+ in PM1. Sea salt constituents in PM10 were particularly carried by West – Northwest Mediterranean airflows in all layers during both cold and warm periods. Dust intrusions from Northeast Africa and the Middle East were highlighted by episodes of PM10 crustal species and were most evident in Layer 1 during cold seasons. Therefore, this study reveals the spatial and vertical distribution of air masses transporting the main aerosol components at the Eastern Mediterranean.

From Jerusalem to Rome: The Geographical Aspect of Magic

Just as magic was undermined in the Acts of the Apostles, its spread throughout the whole region of the Greco-Roman Region was also undermined. Although the magic episode occurred six times in the Acts of the Apostles, the demonstration of the geographical aspect of magic in the Acts of the Apostles was undermined. The prominent question regarding the presence of magic in the Greco-Roman reigns is how serious was magic during the Greco-Roman Era for Christianity so that the gospel could be proclaimed to the end of the world? This article will demonstrate the seriousness of magic to impede the spread of the gospel is obvious when analyzing the geographical spread of magic. The aim of this article is to demonstrate the magical context of each Roman city where magic was there. Moreover, this article also demonstrates the significance of the geographical aspect of magic for the spread of the Gospel. This geographical aspect will be argued within the context of the apologetic purpose of the Acts of the Apostles and the spread of the gospel to the end of the world to fulfill Jesus’ command to his disciples. This research will employ a literature method. The analysis will analyze the city of Samaria, the island of Cyprus, the strategic city of Ephesus, Philippi, and Malta. Application regarding the proclamation of the gospel for our contemporary world will be provided in the section of discussion and result before the conclusion.

Evaluation of WRF-Chem model (v3.9.1.1) real-time air quality forecasts over the Eastern Mediterranean

Abstract. We describe and evaluate a high-resolution real-time air quality forecast system over the Eastern Mediterranean, based on a regional, online coupled atmospheric chemistry and aerosol model. The Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) is used to perform daily, 3 d forecasts of regulated pollutants (NO2, O3, PM2.5) over the Eastern Mediterranean, applying three nested domains with horizontal resolutions of 50, 10 and 2 km, the latter focusing on Cyprus. Natural (dust, sea-salt, biogenic) emissions are calculated online, while anthropogenic emissions are based on the Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research – Hemispheric Transport of Air Pollution (EDGAR-HTAP) global emission inventory. A high spatial (1 km) and temporal (hourly) anthropogenic emission inventory is used for the island of Cyprus in the innermost domain. The model skill in forecasting the concentrations of atmospheric pollutants is evaluated using measurements from a network of nine ground stations in Cyprus and compared with the forecasting skill of the EU Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS). The forecast of surface temperature, pressure, and wind speed is found to be accurate, with minor discrepancies between the modelled and observed 10 m wind speed at mountainous and coastal sites attributed to the limited representation of the complex topography of Cyprus. Compared to CAMS, the WRF-Chem model predicts with higher accuracy the NO2 mixing ratios at the residential site with a normalized mean bias (NMB) of 7 % during winter and −44 % during summer, whereas the corresponding biases for CAMS are −81 % and −84 %. Due to the high temporal resolution of the anthropogenic emission inventory, the WRF-Chem model captures more accurately the diurnal profiles of NO2 and O3 mixing ratios at the residential site. Background PM2.5 concentrations influenced by long-range transport are overestimated by the WRF-Chem model during winter (NMB = 54 %), whereas the corresponding NMB for CAMS is 11 %. Our results support the adoption of regional, online coupled air quality models over chemical transport models for real-time air quality forecasts.

Beliren Yetişkinlerin Korona Virus Kaygısı ve Öznel İyi Oluşunun Bazı Değişkenler Açısından İncelenmesi

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, higher education unexpectedly turned-on an online distance learning. It is expected that this situation would have an influence on the subjective well-being of emerging adults’ university students. Based on this assumption, in this study, we investigated the coronavirus anxiety and subjective well-being of the native Turkish-speaking, emerging adults’ university students according to some of sociodemographic variables in order to detect a situation and make an intervention plan in the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The study was conducted with N = 220 (113 women and 97 men) the native Turkish-speaking emerging adults from different parts of Turkey and Northern Cyprus (The island of Cyprus is located in the Eastern Mediterranean, south of Turkey) universities. Data was collected via an online survey package of The Socio-demographical Information Form, The Subjective Well-Being Scale, and The Coronavirus Anxiety Scale. As the subjective well-being level of emerging adults who are participating in this study increases, coronavirus anxiety decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic process. This study offers suggestions for the intervention plans that can be made to increase the subjective well-being of emerging adults in higher education during the COVID-19 crisis and in the new normal. Thus, the practitioners who are working with emerging adults at higher educations are recommended to consider these study results (e.g., the importance of social support during the pandemic process, the duration of quarantine, psychiatric diagnoses) in their subjective well-being studies for this group.

Dispute over the Fenced Varosha in the light of International Law, United Nations Security Council Resolutions and Judgments of European Court of Human Rights

The issue of property in Cyprus, which has been the subject of protracted discussions and negotiations from the Cyprus Peace Operation in 1974 up until now, has taken on a new dimension since the government of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) declared that the fenced area of Varosha would be re-opened to settlement. Re-opening the fenced area of Varosha to settlement would rekindle some international law debates as has been observed in the other regions of the island of Cyprus. In this regard, the objective status and erga omnes character of the Founding Treaties inclusive to the Treaty of Establishment and Treaty of Guarantee debates on the legitimacy of intervention on the island and the conformity of this intervention with international law, Resolutions of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), and the Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on the property rights of Greek Cypriots will pave the way for new discussions on the future of Fenced Varosha. What is more, the critical claim by the Administration of Foundations in Cyprus (EVKAF), with respect to the whole area of the fenced area Varosha belonging to the Foundation Land, will lead the debate on the fenced area of Varosha in gaining another dimension. This study will first discuss, from an international law perspective, the debates on the intervention in TRNC covering the fenced area of Varosha, then the status of Varosha in the UNSC Resolutions, and finally the issues of the ownership of property and foundation land in Varosha in the light of Judgments of the ECtHR.

Police Cooperation in Cases of Unrecognised Secessions: The Joint Communications Room in Cyprus

ABSTRACT Since 1974 the Republic of Cyprus only exercises effective control in the south, while the unrecognised ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ exercises effective control in the north of the island of Cyprus. An increasing realisation among the two sides that effective policing requires the collaboration of their respective law enforcement agencies, led to the creation of the Joint Communications Room (JCR). The article frames the JCR as an example of engagement without recognition and assesses its effectiveness through an analysis of the cases it has been involved in between its creation in 2009 and 2018.

First detection of WNV RNA presence in field-collected mosquitoes in Cyprus

West Nile virus (WNV) infections have increased over recent years to the extent that WNV has become one of the most widespread arboviruses in the world, with potential consequences for both human and animal health. While much is known about WNV and the vectors that transmit it from their primary hosts across continental Europe, little is known about the epidemiology of the disease on the island of Cyprus. In this study, the aim was to investigate the prevalence of WNV infection in potential mosquito vectors for the first time in the Republic of Cyprus, using WNV surveillance of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes were collected in 2019, during which an outbreak in humans had occurred, and sampled mosquitoes were then examined for WNV infection by testing them for the presence of WNV RNA. Of 126 mosquito pools tested, one pool, containing Culex pipiens mosquitoes sampled from the Nicosia district, was found to be positive for the presence of WNV RNA. The positive pool found in this study represents the first demonstration of WNV in mosquitoes in Cyprus and confirms that human cases in Cyprus are likely the result of transmission via local Culex mosquitoes.

The Eastern Mediterranean fish fauna from the Piacenzian deposits of Polis Graben (Cyprus Island)

Marine Piacenzian deposits are extremely rare in the eastern Mediterranean region, resulting in a stratigraphic gap in our knowledge of the late Pliocene evolution of the marine ecosystem and its fauna. Fish assemblages moreover are scant throughout the Pliocene. We present here the teleost fish fauna of the Piacenzian Polis basin (SW Cyprus) based on otolith assemblages, and we use them to reconstruct the paleoenvironment. Twenty-six teleost fish taxa are identified, placed under sixteen genera and five families. Planktonic foraminifera biostratigraphy places the studied outcrop within the subzones MPL4a and MPL5a (early–middle Piacenzian). Four species and two genera of fish are reported for the first time in the Piacenzian of the Mediterranean. The studied otolith assemblage from Androlykou section consists of very shallow-water fish mixed with mesopelagic taxa indicating topographical steepness with easy access to the open ocean. In addition, the fish assemblages mainly include representatives of subtropical taxa suggesting a climate warmer than today. These data provide new information on the composition of the ichthyofauna of the eastern Mediterranean during the Piacenzian, paving the way for new studies in the Cyprus area.

An Analysis of the Development of Modular Building Design Elements to Improve Thermal Performance of a Representative High Rise Residential Estate in the Coastline City of Famagusta, Cyprus

Passive design strategies can reduce heating and cooling demands with integration of more efficient building systems as well as the potential to integrate modular off-site construction technology and its technical systems to offset overall energy consumption. This study evaluates the energy performance of the nationally representative post-war social housing estate in the southeastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus where the weather is subtropical (Csa) and partly semi-arid (Bsh). This study employed a mixed methods research design approach which was based on a thorough field study that consisted of a questionnaire survey conducted with residents of the social housing estate in the hottest summer month of August, to explore the occupants’ thermal sensation votes (TSVs), their habitual adaptive behaviour, and home energy performance concurrently. On-site environmental monitoring was performed, and in-situ measurements of each occupied space were recorded to identify ‘neutral’ adaptive thermal comfort. The selected representative high-rise residential development was modelled using Integrated Environmental Solutions’ Virtual Environment (IES-VE) software, where extensive dynamic thermal simulations have been produced to assess existing energy performance and energy effectiveness of retrofitting strategies. The results demonstrated that a moderate–strong relationship was found between orientation and reasons for thermal discomfort (χ2 = 49,327, p &lt; 0.001, Cramer’s V = 0.405). Individual levels of thermal comfort were not limited to household socio-demographic characteristics, however; environmental factors were also determinants in the development of adaptive thermal-comfort theory. Furthermore, the occupants’ TSVs indicated that in a southeastern Mediterranean climate, 28.5 °C is considered a neutral temperature, and the upper limit of the indoor-air thermal-comfort range is 31.5 °C.

X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy of Picrolite Raw Material on Cyprus

Picrolite artefacts comprise some of the most distinctive material remains in the prehistory of the island of Cyprus, in the Eastern Mediterranean. Picrolite exploitation dates from at least 12,000 years ago for the manufacture of personal ornaments and items with a symbolic function. It is commonly assumed that picrolite nodules were collected in secondary deposits on an ad hoc basis. This narrative, however, ignores the fact that picrolite carriers can only be found in very specific locations on the island, discrete from each other. Here we report initial outcomes of the application of handheld portable X-ray fluorescence (HHpXRF) and synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (SR-μXRF) to the analysis of picrolite raw materials performed at the newly opened PUMA beamline of the SOLEIL Synchrotron Radiation Facility. Our work refines the basic characteristics of the elemental constituents of the picrolite raw material and highlights key micro-structural differences between two distinct source regions on the Troodos Massif in western Cyprus. Picrolite source characterisation is expected to contribute significant new knowledge to the study of rare raw material consumption, prehistoric social organisation, networking and possible long-distance exchange of this idiosyncratic raw material within and beyond the island’s geographic boundaries.

A case study for exploring the alkali-aggregate reactivity of Cyprus aggregates

Concrete is the most commonly used construction material in Cyprus Island as it is all around the world. Even though thousands of tons of concrete are manufactured in both North and South Cyprus, the alkali-aggregate reactivity (AAR) of the crushed (quarried) aggregates has not been previously investigated in a systematic way. The lack of information on the AAR likelihood of Cyprus aggregates in the related literature has caused a lack of awareness about this durability problem in the island and hence, sufficient controls for taking necessary levels of precautions could not be made over the past decades. Two aggregate samples from North Cyprus and another type of aggregates from South Cyprus were obtained from active quarries and tested within this case study for the first time with RILEM tests in order to verify the likelihood of both alkali-silica and alkali-carbonate reactivities of Cyprus Aggregates. The results obtained from RILEM tests and the supplementary SEM analysis showed that both the North (limestone) and South (diabase) Cyprus aggregates exhibit significant levels of alkali-silica reactivity when they are used with composite cement, which is commonly preferred for its advantages. Results also indicated that the mortar batch including the second type of North Cyprus aggregates (dolomitic limestone) with the mentioned cement is potentially reactive for alkali-carbonate reaction as well. The experimental information provided for the first time with this case study is critical both for further Cyprus durability research studies to be carried out and also for improving the quality of local construction activities.

Seasonal and geographic variations of marine litter: A comprehensive study from the island of Cyprus

Twenty beaches located around the island of Cyprus, in the eastern Mediterranean, were identified as monitoring sites. They were monitored over four monitoring sessions from January to September 2021 to assess marine litter amounts, categories, and spatiotemporal distribution. A total of 42,499 marine litter items were collected. The average marine litter density was 0.19 items/m2. Most of the collected items were plastics, with single-use plastics being ubiquitous. Plastic fragments >2.5 cm made a significant proportion of the plastic litter collected, particularly in the northern coasts of the island. Cigarette butts were abundant on touristic beaches, especially in the tourism period. The study identifies significant temporal and spatial variations in the abundance and distribution of marine litter, as well as variations related to waste management or lack thereof.

Human Bones Solubility in Seawater

Introduction: In January 1968, an Israeli submarine "Dakar" sank in the Mediterranean Sea. The Dakar’s wreckage was not found until May 1999, when it was located between the islands of Cyprus and Crete at depth more than 3,000 m by the Nauticos Corporation, the same company which found a British passenger liner "Titanic" that sank in the North Atlantic Ocean after it collided with an iceberg. The possibility to recover any existing remains of the crew members in the sunken submarine “Dakar” and to give them Jewish burial had been widely discussed in Israel. Background: The human bones consist of mineral and organic matrixes. Therefore, the solubility of the bones in seawater will depend on the behavior of these two matrixes. The main mineral component of human bones is a calcium phosphate mineral which is similar in composition and structure to minerals within the apatite group. Thus, the human bones are rigid body tissue consisting of biological cells embedded in an abundant, hard intercellular material. Objective: The main objective is to study the possibility of solubility of human bones after prolonged time in deep waters. Methods: The solubility of minerals in natural waters can be calculated from thermodynamic considerations provided that the equilibrium constants are known, and ionic activity coefficients can be obtained. Using the approaches developed by Pitzer's scientific school for ionic activity coefficients calculations it was demonstrated in this article that neither hydroxyapatite nor fluorapatite can be dissolved in seawater. Results: It is well known, according to various publications, that no skeleton remains were found in most cases of sunken ships wreckage in deep seawaters. The question is how this contradiction can be explained if mineral constituents of human bones could not be dissolved in seawater, but no skeletons have been found in sunken ships being prolonged time in deep depths. We assume that the reason for this phenomenon is that skeleton bones in addition to mineral matrix contain organic constituents which can be dissolved in seawater due to various natural biological and chemical processes. After the dissolution of the organic constitutes of the bones, the bones remains could not be preserved as a whole in sunk ships. Conclusion: It can be assumed that due to the dissolution of human bones' organic contents in seawater, human bodies’ remains cannot be found in most cases in sunken ships after a prolonged time in deep waters.

High Occurrence of Zoonotic Subtypes of Cryptosporidiumparvum in Cypriot Dairy Farms.

Cryptosporidium parvum is one of the major causes of neonatal calf diarrhoea resulting in reduced farm productivity and compromised animal welfare worldwide. Livestock act as a major reservoir of this parasite, which can be transmitted to humans directly and/or indirectly, posing a public health risk. Research reports on the prevalence of Cryptosporidium in ruminants from east Mediterranean countries, including Cyprus, are limited. This study is the first to explore the occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in cattle up to 24 months old on the island of Cyprus. A total of 242 faecal samples were collected from 10 dairy cattle farms in Cyprus, all of which were screened for Cryptosporidium spp. using nested-PCR amplification targeting the small subunit of the ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) gene. The 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene was also sequenced for the samples identified as Cryptosporidium parvum-positive to determine the subtypes present. The occurrence of Cryptosporidium was 43.8% (106/242) with at least one positive isolate in each farm sampled. Cryptosporidium bovis, Cryptosporidium ryanae and C. parvum were the only species identified, while the prevalence per farm ranged from 20–64%. Amongst these, the latter was the predominant species, representing 51.8% of all positive samples, followed by C. bovis (21.7%) and C. ryanae (31.1%). Five C. parvum subtypes were identified, four of which are zoonotic—IIaA14G1R1, IIaA15G1R1, IIaA15G2R1 and IIaA18G2R1. IIaA14G1R1 was the most abundant, representing 48.2% of all C. parvum positive samples, and was also the most widespread. This is the first report of zoonotic subtypes of C. parvum circulating in Cyprus. These results highlight the need for further research into the parasite focusing on its diversity, prevalence, host range and transmission dynamics on the island.

Exploratory research on the adoption of composting for the management of biowaste in the Mediterranean island of Cyprus

Biowaste management is one of the biggest challenges for the European and Commonwealth small state of Cyprus, a Mediterranean island situated in the southeast corner of Europe. On the one hand, it is widely acknowledged that biowaste treatment processes such as composting should be adopted to divert biowaste from landfills, protect the environment, safeguard human health and well-being, and comply with the European environmental policies and legislation; on the other hand, national and local government efforts that promote its implementation appear to be lethargic preventing the move towards a sustainable bioeconomy. Using the political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal (PESTEL) approach, the study conceptually explores the underlying motives and multitude of reasons that may preclude the adoption of composting for biowaste management. Findings suggest that the lack of a biowaste management infrastructure investment strategy plan has derailed progress on biowaste management, despite the national government's rhetoric to promote sustainable development. Moreover, the lack of waste planning at the local level, public awareness on the consequences of biowaste mismanagement, and the lack of market demand for the compost produced are additional barriers to the adoption of composting. This emphasizes the urgent need for collaboration between the national and local governments to promote the development of a functional, sustainable biowaste management strategy. The study informs on the need of policy and decision-makers to prioritise the development of biowaste management strategy that would be broadly implemented could not only help Cyprus reduce its reliance on landfills and comply with the European legislation, but create environmental, economic and social value via the recovery of resources from biowaste and a sense of responsibility to its public. This is key to supporting the transition towards a circular bioeconomy.

The role of social psychological processes in journalist's war and peace journalism attitudes

Previous studies have shown factors including media ownership, socio-political censorship, ethnic division and, the lack of professional training as obstacles to practising Peace Journalism principles. This research explored how social psychological processes including intergroup contact and outgroup attitudes influence Peace Journalism attitudes. Turkish Cypriot (TC) and Greek Cypriot (GC) journalists living in the divided and conflicted island of Cyprus participated. Findings highlighted that quantity and quality of contact are positively correlated with positive feelings, common ingroup identity (CII) and Peace Journalism attitudes and negatively correlated with intergroup anxiety and War Journalism (WJ) attitudes. Results shed light on the benefits of positive and frequent contact among journalists and with outgroup members that enhance positive social psychological processes as well as Peace Journalism attitudes. By recognizing the importance of intergroup contact, Peace Journalism attitudes can be improved by decreasing social-psychological tensions and contribute to reconciliation, peace-building processes, and sustainable peace in conflicted societies.

Response of the Akrotiri Marsh, island of Cyprus, to Bronze Age climate change

Here we present two multiproxy records covering the last 5000 years from the Akrotiri Marsh in southern Cyprus. Pollen and diatom analysis of radiocarbon dated marsh sediments with an average chronological resolution of one date every thousand years, reveal expansion and contraction of the marsh in response to mid-late Holocene climate events, with peak aridity reconstructed in the early Bronze Age, inferred between 4.3 and 4.1 cal ka BP, and repeated dry intervals in the Late Bronze Age, inferred between 3.4 and 3.1 cal ka BP. The record provides important contextual climate data to the debate surrounding reported Early and Late Bronze Age societal collapse events present in numerous archaeological archives throughout the Mediterranean and Near Eastern region. This is the first multiproxy record from the island of Cyprus potentially displaying the 4.2 ka BP event. The characteristics of the inferred 3.2 ka BP event are very similar to the manifestation of the event in the east of Cyprus and on the southern Levantine mainland. These results contribute to the regional understanding of Bronze Age climates on Cyprus, give insight into the expression of global climate forcing mechanisms such as the North Atlantic Oscillation and the Siberian High, and provide potential evidence for reduced anthropogenic land-use during the 4.2 ka BP and 3.2 ka BP Events supporting what is documented in archaeological archives. • Two 5000-year-old multiproxy records from the Akrotiri Marsh, southern Cyprus • Both the 4.2 K and 3.2 K climate events had an impact on the island's water balance. • Pollen & diatoms infer Early Bronze Age peak aridity between 4.3 & 4.1 cal ka BP • Repeat dry intervals in Late Bronze Age from 3.4 to 3.1 cal ka BP, W-Shaped event • Insight into the expression of the North Atlantic Oscillation and the Siberian High

Phylogeny of the land snail Levantina reveals long‐distance dispersal in the Middle East

AbstractPopulations of rock‐dwelling snails are often isolated from each other due to outcrops of suitable rock forming islands separated by uninhabitable habitats. By chance, some snail taxa were able to rapidly extend their distribution ranges or colonise distant areas. The helicid Levantina from the Middle East has a very large range compared with related rock‐dwelling genera. We present here the first comprehensive molecular phylogeny of Levantina suggesting that its range is not extended due to Levantina being an old taxon, but rather as a result of a rapid expansion, probably during the Pliocene. These snails originated in the south‐east of present‐day Turkey, from where they colonised the Levant, the Asir Mountains in Saudi Arabia, the Alborz Mountains and the Central Taurus as well as the island of Cyprus. Eventually, these snails also reached the south‐eastern Aegean region by several independent expansion events. In particular, the Arabian species are not closely related to those from the Levant as previously presumed, but are sister to one of the species from south‐eastern Turkey. The occurrence of a Levantina spiriplana complex in the Aegean is most likely a result of intentional transport of these edible snails, as all three lineages found there originated from the Levant. Our results further suggest that the species‐level taxonomy of the genus needs an integrative revision.