Southwestern Turkey Research Articles

A multi-analytical approach for determining the origin of the marbles in Temple-A from Laodicea ad Lycum (Denizli-Western Anatolia, Turkey)

Abstract Laodicea ad Lycum is the major and most important Hellenistic city in the Lycos Valley. The ancient city is located at 6 km northeast of Denizli and the most contemporary and significant archaeological site in southwestern Turkey. A large marble temple complex, which is simply named Temple-A, is a remarkable structure. The marbles of Temple-A can be classified into four groups, based on color, crystal size, crystal boundaries and foliation status. These groups are identified as (i) lilac-purple-veined, (ii) white, (iii) gray-veined and (iv) gray-blackish marbles. Microscopically, the lilac-purple veined, gray-veined and gray-blackish marbles display heteroblastic mosaic texture, and the white marbles display a homoeoblastic polygonal texture. The marble groups chiefly consist of calcite + dolomite ± augite (lilac-purple veined), calcite (white), calcite + dolomite ± quartz ± muscovite ± opaque minerals (gray-veined) and calcite ± quartz ± pyroxene ± zircon (gray-blackish). The minero-petrographic, geochemical and C–O stable isotope results reveal that most of the marbles sampled Temple-A at Laodicea share the same characteristics and composition of the marbles exploited in the ancient quarries of Hierapolis and Domuzderesi.

THE HISTORICAL TRANSFORMATION OF URBAN SPACE WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF PROPERTY-SOCIETY RELATIONS IN MUĞLA, TURKEY

Mugla is a town in southwestern Turkey that has for centuries been on the major trade routes. Property-society relations during the periods of the Anatolian Turkish Principalities and the Ottoman Empire have had a significant influence on the structuring of the town space, with its main evolution outside the fortress beginning in the 12 th century. Neighbourhoods first began to form arbitrarily around pious structures, following no particular plan, and this was the case up until the advent of the Ottoman Era. Thereafter, it was the Ottoman administration and property system that determined and controlled the organization of space in the commercial centre, the administrative centres and the residential areas in the town for many centuries. Waqf, mulk and miri lands were the main property types of the Ottomans and their implementation had significant repercussions on the urban space and fabric of Mugla. Property relations in the town transformed the social structure of the residential districts as well as shaped the built environment. This article begins by explaining the ownership structure in the times of the Anatolian Turkish Principalities and under Ottoman rule, and then delves into the historical evolution of Mugla and the transformation of urban space as a result of the changing property-society relations of different historical periods, including the first years of the Republic.

There is No Secure Evidence of a Roman Wreck at the Needles, England

There is No Secure Evidence of a Roman Wreck at the Needles, England

Cochlostoma mienisi of southwestern Turkey: Its distribution range and conchological characterization

A survey was carried out to determine the distribution range of Cochlostoma mienisi Schütt, 1978, a little studied land snail of southwestern Turkey. The species was found on the island of Kekova off the coast of Turkey and at an additional location on the mainland facing the island. The closest congeners of C. mienisi are on Crete and mainland Greece, more than 400 km away. As a possible explanation for its limited and disjunct range, it is proposed here that C. mienisi may have been introduced from another location by the shipping trade in the antiquity. No live snails were seen, but various conchological traits of C. mienisi provided clues to its biology and ecology. The presence of two overlapping size groups in the distribution of adult shell dimensions is interpreted as an indication of a sexual dimorphism: the larger shells (8.0 mm × 3.5 mm) are those of female snails and the smaller ones (7.4 mm × 3.3 mm) are of males. Also discussed are the structure of the operculum of C. mienisi, decollation observed in a few shells and the presence of small circular holes that were probably bored by an unknown predator or a parasite.

Shear wave velocity structure of the Anatolian Plate: anomalously slow crust in southwestern Turkey

Shear wave velocity structure of the Anatolian Plate: anomalously slow crust in southwestern Turkey

Morphological analysis of the Silene gigantea complex (Caryophyllaceae) across the Balkan Peninsula, south-western Turkey and Cyprus

We investigated the morphology of the Silene gigantea complex across its distribution range in the Balkan Peninsula, south-western Turkey and Cyprus. We performed a factorial analysis for mixed quantitative and qualitative variables followed by k-means analyses to determine the most probable morphological clustering within the species. A linear discriminant analysis was then computed using the DISQUAL method to test the a priori classification. The results indicate that three entities, which are consistent with the previously published taxonomic treatment, can be recognised. Moreover, our results show that the distribution of S. gigantea subsp. hellenica can be extended to Turkey, and that S. gigantea subsp. rhodopea is actually absent from this country, in contradiction to previous assessments. The global distribution of the S. gigantea complex is established and the morphological characteristics of each subspecies are discussed.

Identification and characterization of a phytoplasma disease of jute (Corchorus olitorius L.) from south-western Turkey

A phytoplasma disease was detected in naturally occurring jute (Corchorus olitorius L.) plants in an experimental sesame field at the Akdeniz University campus, Antalya, Turkey during the growth periods of 2011 and 2012. Infected plants showed symptoms of phyllody, abnormal development of flowers, yellowing, reduced leaf size and short internodes. DNA extractions were made from symptomatic and symptomless plants' root and leaf tissues. Direct PCR assays with P1/P7 universal phytoplasma primers detected a 1.8 kb product and a 1.2 kb product was obtained using R16F2n/R16R2 primers with nested PCR. Phytoplasmas were detected from all symptomatic plants as well as off-season three dry leafless jute plants collected in 2012. DNA extracted from roots rather than leaf tissues showed better amplification in direct PCR assays. Three samples were cloned and their F2nR2 region was sequenced for identification. Jute phytoplasmas were clustered with the 16SrII (Peanut witches’-broom) group members in BLAST search. For subgroup characterization, virtual RFLP profiles were generated in iPhyclassifier program. As a result, phytoplasmas were identified as related strains of the 16Sr II-D reference strain, ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma australasia’ (Y10097). Actual RFLP profiles obtained with AluI, RsaI, MseI, TaqI enzymes, revealed a similar pattern with virtual RFLP confirming subgroup characterization. In our previous findings, phyllody phytoplasmas infecting sesame plants in this experimental field were classified in the 16SrII-D subgroup. This study shows that phytoplasmas infecting jute and sesame plants were identified in the same phytoplasma group and naturally grown jute plants could possibly serve as inoculum source for next year infections for phyllody disease in sesame. To our knowledge this is the first report of molecular detection of a phytoplasma disease infecting jute in Turkey.

An overview on the main stratigraphic and structural features of a geothermal area: the case of Nazilli-Buharkent section of the Büyük Menderes Graben, SW Turkey

The study area is Nazilli-Buharkent section of the Büyük Menderes Graben. This is one of the most active intracontinental extensional structures shaping the south-western Anatolian graben–horst system, which comprises the southwestern frontal part of the Anatolian platelet. The Büyük Menderes Graben is about 3–30 km wide, 170 km long and approximately E–W-trending depression included in the back-arc section of the northerly-dipping south Aegean-Cyprian subduction zone. The Büyük Menderes Graben of episodic origin has two morphotectonic configurations: (1) a wider, uplifted, dissected and deformed initial configuration of late Early–late Middle Miocene age; and (2) the narrower, linear, undeformed and continuous recent configuration of Quaternary age. These two configurations are here termed as the Büyük Menderes palaeotectonic graben and the Büyük Menderes modern (neotectonic) graben, respectively. These two grabens are represented by two sedimentary packages separated by an intervening angular unconformity. The 1.1-km-thick older sedimentary package is deformed (steeply tilted to folded) and consists of, from bottom to top, unsorted boulder-block basal clastics and coal-bearing flood plain to lacustrine deposits of late Early–late Middle Miocene age. The younger sedimentary package is undeformed and consists of very thick (up to 0.9 km) debris flow and fluvial deposits of Quaternary age. The palaeotectonic configuration of the Büyük Menderes Graben is bounded by the Hasköy-Künüpe and İğdecik structural segments of the Büyük Menderes detachment fault. However, the modern configuration of the Büyük Menderes Graben is bounded by the Kuyucak and Menderes high-angle normal fault zones, composed of numerous fault segments, which cut and displace deeply the detachment fault. Hot water springs occur along the traces of the detachment faults. But they are not observed along the traces of modern graben-boundary faults. This reveals that the low-angle detachment fault is being still used by the geothermal fluids. Indeed, it is a fact that the geothermal fluids are shared by both the older detachment and younger high-angle normal faults at their intersection at depth, because the faults are the most suitable ways for the underground circulations of both cold meteoric waters and geothermal fluids, i.e. the geothermal system in south-western Turkey is fault-controlled. Consequently, the geothermal potential of this extensional domain is quite high based on the criteria such as the active tectonic and related faults, sources of high-heat, reservoir rocks with high porosity, reservoir cap rocks with no or low permeability and cold meteoric water supply enough. In order to obtain huge volume of geothermal fluids, first of all, whole steps of the geothermal exploration have to be completed, and then the site of borehole(s) has to be chosen so that it penetrates the intersection of low-angle detachment fault, high-angle normal fault(s) and the reservoir rocks overlain by the thick and impermeable cap rock(s).

Occurrence of Chrysochus asclepiadeus (Pallas, 1773) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Turkey: two distinct subspecies or the same taxon with slightly different populations?

According to the literature, Chrysochus asclepiadeus (Pallas, 1773) is represented by two subspecies in the western Palaearctic, including C. asclepiadeus asiaeminoris De Monte, 1948, which was described from south-western Turkey but has not been recorded since 1948. Recently collected specimens from the provinces of İzmir and Isparta (not far from the type locality of C. asclepiadeus asiaeminoris) were compared with specimens of the nominate subspecies from Kiev (Ukraine). It is concluded that C. asclepiadeus asiaeminoris is a synonym of the nominate subspecies (syn. n.). The distribution of the species in Turkey is discussed.

Seasonal and intradiurnal variation of airborne pollen concentrations in Bodrum, SW Turkey.

An aeropalynological study was performed in Bodrum, the famous tourism center in southwestern Turkey with a Hirst-type volumetric 7-day pollen and spore trap for 2 years (2007-2008). In Bodrum, 25,099 pollen grains as a mean value belonging to 41 taxa were recorded annually during the study period, and pollen grains from woody plant taxa had the largest atmospheric contribution of 86.99% and 24 taxa. However, 17 herbaceous plant taxa constituted 12.82% of the annual total pollen count, and 0.19% were unidentified. An average annual pollen index of 22.66% was recorded in March, despite differences from year to year. The highest pollen variability of 34 taxa was recorded in April and May. Predominant pollen types belonged to Cupressaceae/Taxaceae (42.73%), Quercus (15.95%), Pinus (9.78%), Olea europaea (9.04%), Poaceae (5.50%), Betula (1.82%), Pistacia (1.74%), Morus (1.72%), Urticaceae (1.46%), and Plantago (1.28%) and generated 91.03 of the annual total. In total, 32.59% of the mean annual total pollen index was recorded in the morning, and less pollen was recorded in the evening (18.71%). Maximum pollen concentration was recorded between 11:00 and 12:00 a.m.

Seismotectonic content by the source parameters of the 10 June 2012 Ölüdeniz-Fethiye (Dodecanese Islands) Mw 6.1 earthquake and aftershocks (southwestern Turkey)

A detailed source and rupture process analyzes of the 10 June 2012 Oludeniz-Fethiye (Dodecanese Islands; Mw 6.1) earthquake has been carried out using inversion of both complex body waves and strong ground motion records. The rupture starting from the hypocenter propagated gradually to the southwest. The main rupture is modeled by a main asperity located 2–3 km beneath the hypocenter and two small asperities. The size of the effective source area is about 24 × 12 km, the rupture duration was approximately 12 s and the total seismic moment was estimated to be 1.955 × 1018 Nm. Continuation of compression from the Hellenic Arc to the southeast part of Fethiye Gulf in the north developed many active faults with complex geometries in the region. According to the stress field obtained from the focal mechanism solutions of the 10 June 2012 Fethiye (Dodecanese Islands; Mw 6.1) earthquake and M ≥ 3.5 earthquakes which occurred in Fethiye Gulf, the region between Fethiye Gulf and Rhodes Basin was deformed by the NW–SE oriented extension. (T-σ3) principal stress axis is dominant in the region. Additionally, NNW–SSE compression (P-σ1) in further southwest of Fethiye Gulf contributed to forming normal and strike-slip faults. Continuation of the NE–SW trending thrust faults located from the west limb of the Hellenic Arc to the southeast of Fethiye Gulf caused deformation in the region due to the seismotectonic model of the region. Both, normal faulting related to the “pure extension” occurred after the compression, and strike-slip faulting associated with the “transtension”, have been expressed by the spatial positions of the principal stress axes in the study area.

The ‘Digital Natives’ Debate: An Investigation of the Digital Propensities of University Students

The purpose of this research is to determine the digital propensities of post-secondary students (N=409) in various faculties/colleges at a large state university located in southwestern Turkey. It was also examined whether gender, the program attended, socioeconomic status, education type (first and second shift education), the number of family members and the number of computers per household are contributing factors to Information and Communication Technologies use. According to the data analyzed, male students use Information and Communication Technologies more than female students. Results also suggest that faculty attended, education type, family income, the number of computers and children per household are some of the important factors in having high digital propensity index.

Application of P-wave Mwp magnitude to earthquakes for tsunami early warning in and around South-Western Turkey

Tsunami warning centres inform the population who are located near and around coastal areas by determining the size and location of an earthquake. The Pacific Tsunami Early Warning System has used P-wave moment magnitude (Mwp) for the warning system for many years. A moment magnitude determination from the P-wave arrivals has the advantage of estimating the size of an earthquake within a couple of minutes, compared to other estimation procedures. The Eastern Mediterranean region is tectonically active area and has experienced many tsunami earthquakes in history. In this paper, the moment magnitude determination technique was used to calculate the moment magnitudes of events that occurred in the Eastern Mediterranean and near the coasts of Turkey with magnitudes between 5.5 and 6.8 and epicentral distance between about 100 and 1700 km. Mwp was calculated using seismic stations that were installed in the area and the number of stations used changed event by event. Their numbers were in the range of 11 to 71. Calculated Mwp values showed good compatibility with Global Centroid Moment Tensor Mw. The results of this study are encouraging for the early warning system that will be set up in the near future in the region.

Influences of forest type and habitat structure on bird assemblages of oak (Quercus spp.) and pine (Pinus spp.) stands in southwestern Turkey

The Mediterranean basin exhibits a multitude of forest habitats affected by former and current exploitation and management. Recent afforestation programs have resulted in an increase in the proportion of coniferous trees, while oak stands, formerly utilized for coppicing and grazing, are abandoned or converted into coniferous plantations. The loss of oak stands might negatively affect birds dependent upon broadleaved forests. Studies confirming or rejecting that statement are scarce, particularly in the eastern part of the region. Using a study area in southwestern Turkey we applied a guild-based approach to investigate how pine and oak stands across a chronosequence differ in their capacity to support forest bird assemblages. Variables describing the vegetation were sampled to characterize the stands and relate bird assemblages to stand structure. Bird abundance and species richness was positively associated with age for both stand types. Richness and diversity was highest in oak stands, while there were no differences in bird abundance between the two forest types. Pine stands supported a different bird species composition compared to oak stands of the same age. Stand age and structure, rather than forest type, held the highest explanatory powers for bird assembly structure. Primary cavity-nesters and ground-nesters were more abundant in oak stands, possibly reflecting differences in stand structure and resource distribution. To support these birds with suitable habitats, oaks stands need conservation. Management practices in pine stands should strive for increasing the amount of old trees and retain vegetation in the understory to benefit breeding birds.

Development of a Tsunami Inundation Map in Detecting Tsunami Risk in Gulf of Fethiye, Turkey

NAMIDANCE tsunami simulation and visualization tool is used to create tsunami inundation maps showing quantitative maximum tsunami flow depths in Fethiye. The risk of an extreme, but likely earthquake-generated tsunami is estimated at Fethiye Bay for 14 probabilistic earthquake scenarios. The bay is located 36°39′5″N 29°7′23″E, southwestern Turkey, which has coastline to the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The tsunami simulation and inundation assessment are performed in three stages: (1) formation of a digital elevation model of the region from the best available topography/bathymetry dataset, (2) estimation of a maximum credible tsunami scenario for the region and determination of related earthquake parameters, (3) high resolution tsunami simulation and computation of near shore and overland tsunami dynamics in the study area using tsunami simulation and visualization code NAMIDANCE, (4) determination of spatial distributions of tsunami characteristics (maximum water elevations, water velocities, flow depths) under the critical tsunami condition. The results are based on the most recent descriptions of potential tsunami sources, topographic and bathymetric databases, and tsunami numerical models. We present an innovative study concentrating on preparation of quantitative flow depths and inundation maps with a very high-resolution bathymetry/topographic dataset in the eastern Mediterranean. Inundation maps will be used to analyze the effects of possible tsunamis. The presented research is crucial to raising the awareness of government officials, the public, and other stake holders about the high probability of a tsunami event in Turkey. Moreover, the results of this study will help to plan for evacuation routes, establish safe zones, and assist in preparation for the tsunami, creating public awareness, and planning evacuation routes before the actual tsunami event happens.

English

The purpose of this study is to examine the definitional state of social studies teacher candidates regarding the concept of controversial issues and to determine whether a course on it would be beneficial to correct any misunderstandings. The study has been conducted in university in Southwestern Turkey. The study is designed as an experimental research. Participants of the study were 40 social studies teacher candidates, 20 of them were in the experimental group while the remaining 20 served as a control group. The teacher candidates were given a five-point Likert scale to rate controversy levels of some selected issues both prior and after the treatment. The findings show that without a training, social studies teacher candidates were unable to distinguish controversial issues from uncontroversial ones. According to posttest results, teacher candidates in the experimental group demonstrated statistically significant differences from the control group at 42 out of 66 items. The results indicate that teacher candidates in need of some education to better identify controversial issues and results of any research which disregard the lack of knowledge of teacher candidates regarding controversial issues must be handled carefully. Key words: Social studies, controversial issues, teacher candidates.

The first density estimation of an isolated Eurasian lynx population in southwest Asia

During November 2010–February 2011, we used camera traps to estimate the population density of Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx in Ciglikara Nature Reserve, Turkey, an isolated population in southwest Asia. Lynx density was calculated through spatial capture—recapture models. In a sampling eff ort of 1093 camera trap days, we identifi ed 15 independent individuals and estimated a density of 4.20 independent lynx per 100 km2, an unreported high density for this species. Camera trap results also indicated that the lynx is likely to be preying on brown hare Lepus europaeus, which accounted for 63% of the non‐target species pictured. As lagomorph populations tend to fl uctuate, the high lynx density recorded in Ciglikara may be temporary and may decline with prey fl uctuation. Therefore we recommend to survey other protected areas in southwestern Turkey where lynx is known or assumed to exist, and continuously monitor the lynx populations with reliable methods in order to understand the populations structure and dynamics, defi ne sensible measures and management plans to conserve this important species.

Prediction of domestic violence against married women in southwestern Turkey

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of, and independent risk factors for various domestic violence categories among married women of reproductive age in southwestern Turkey. MethodsThe present cross-sectional study included 260 randomly selected women registered to a family physician in the district of Gönen, Isparta. During home visits between October 1 and December 31, 2012, the women completed a questionnaire that included between four and eight questions for each violence category (physical, verbal, economic, emotional, and sexual) to assess the lifetime presence of domestic violence. Logistic regression models with backward elimination were constructed to define independent risk factors for domestic violence. ResultsIn total, 176 (67.7%) women reported any type of domestic violence at least once in their lifetime. Verbal/psychological abuse was the most frequent type (reported by 121 [46.5%] women). Living in a village, young age (19–29 years) of the husband, adolescent age (<19years) of the husband at marriage, and problem alcohol use or problem gambling in the partner were independent predictors of domestic violence. ConclusionAttention should be given to area of residence, age of both partners at marriage, adolescent marriage, and husband characteristics during screening for domestic violence.

The Effects of Different Exercises on Balance, Fear and Risk of Falling among Adults Aged 65 and Over

This study compared the effects of Pilates and a walking exercise program on dynamic balance, flexibility, and muscle strength, fear of falling and falling risk among an elderly population. A total of 45 volunteers aged 65 years and older were recruited from a live-in community center in the province of Mugla in southwestern Turkey. Participants were invited to attend a 14-week exercise program of either Pilates or walking for 1 hour 3 times per week. Dynamic balance, flexibility, muscle strength, fear of falling and risk of falling were measured before and after the 14-week exercise program and at the same time in a control group that did not join either exercise program. Significant differences (p Language: en

Middle and Late Miocene Cricetidae (Rodentia, Mammalia) from Denizli Basin (Southwestern Turkey) and a New Species of Megacricetodon

The occurrences of Cricetidae and the description of a new species, Megacricetodon yenicekentensis new species from the Denizli terrestrial Neogene Basin are considered herein. The Miocene sediments of the area mainly include terrestrial siliciclastic sediments and have a significant mammal fauna. Fieldwork was carried out in the six localities in the basin and the following rodents were identified: Cricetodon candirensis, Cricetulodon hartenbergeri, Megacricetodon minor and Megacricetodon yenicekentensis n. sp. This is the first study of rodent faunas from the Denizli Basin, which is still poorly documented. This study contributes to a better understanding of the stratigraphic and geological features of the Denizli Basin, which is one of the grabens formed within the Neotectonic period of Western Anatolia and has a significant role in explaining the tectonic evolution of the region. Its sedimentary units are, in stratigraphic order, the Kızılburun, Sazak, Kolankaya and Ulubey formations. Based on the systematics and biochronological implications of cricetids and the bulk faunas from six localities, the time range of these formations is discussed, and an age between the early middle Miocene (MN 6) and late Miocene (MN 10) is proposed for this stratigraphic succession. In addition, the dating of the Ulubey Formation, which is observed both in the Denizli and Uşak-Selendi basins, provides new data about the time of connection between these two basins.