Turkish Fauna Research Articles

New data on Turkish Pyraloidea: a new species of Hyperlais Marion, 1959 (Lepidoptera: Pyraloidea: Crambidae: Glaphyriinae) and the first report of the little-known Polyochodes albidiscella (Amsel, 1954)

In this study, Hyperlais cakiri sp. nov. is described and illustrated from the east of Türkiye. The new species is compared with the closely related species H. nemausalis (Duponchel, [1834]) and H. elbursalis (Amsel, 1961). Moreover, Polyochodes albidiscella (Amsel, 1954), previously known only from the type locality in Iran, is recorded as new to the Turkish fauna. Male adult and genital pictures of P. albidiscella as well as those of P. farsella (Amsel, 1951) are presented.

Molecular characterisation of leeches (Clitellata, Annelida) based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene region for Turkish fauna

ABSTRACT Leeches, classified under Hirudinea within the phylum Annelida, hold a crucial position within the aquatic ecosystem due to their substantial contribution to the intricate food web. As a result of some morphological and phylogenetic uncertainties in the classification, molecular studies have been implemented in leech taxonomy. We investigated the leech fauna in 14 wetlands in the province of Ankara in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey between 2017 and 2019. A total of 38 specimens were collected from wetlands, representing two families, four genera, and five species (Glossiphonia complanata, Glossiphonia concolor, Helobdella stagnalis, Hirudo verbana, Limnatis paluda). Morphological characters were identified following examination under a stereomicroscope, and maximum likelihood (ML), neighbour-joining (NJ) and Bayesian inference (BI) analyses were employed to resolve the phylogenetic relationships using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI). The haplotype analysis of the obtained COI region on 15 sequences revealed 11 haplotypes.

The Limnephilus bipunctatus Species Group in Turkey with the descriptions of two new species (Trichoptera, Limnephilidae).

The Limnephilus bipunctatus Species Group in Turkey is studied with two new species, Limnephilus bayburt sp. n. from northeastern Turkey and Limnephilus bercalan sp. n. from eastern Turkey, described and illustrated. Four additional species, L. bipunctatus Curtis 1834, L. caucasicus Schmid 1955, L. malickyi Sipahiler 1992, and L. transcaucasicus Martynov 1909 are also redescribed and illustrated. Limnephilus transcaucasicus is a new record for the Turkish fauna.

Notes on jewel beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in Türkiye

New data are presented on the distribution of 58 species and subspecies in the European and Asiatic part of Türkiye, which belong to 16 genera and six subfamilies of jewel beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae). Notably, this research confirms the presence of Anthaxia (Anthaxia) fulgurans (Schrank, 1789), Eurythyrea quercus (Herbst, 1780) and E. aurata (Pallas, 1776) within the Turkish fauna. Anthaxia (A.) semicuprea Küster, 1851 is new for the European Türkiye. The exact localities in this country of Chalcophora intermedia intermedia (Rey, 1890), Cyphosoma paganettii Obenberger, 1914, C. veselyi Obenberger, 1925, Dicerca amphibia Marseul, 1865 and D. moesta (Fabricius, 1792) are reported for the first time. Some distinguishing characters of Agrilus (Quercuagrilus) graminis Kiesenwetter, 1857 and A. (Q.) hastulifer (Ratzeburg, 1837) allowing their better identification are given as well.

Ganos (Işık) Dağları Karıncalarının (Hymenoptera:Formicidae) Vertikal Dağılımları

This research was studied vertically in 200 m sections in different habitats of the Ganos Mountains, at altitudes from sea level to 924 m. During the research, material was collected from 31 different localities and 10 different habitats, and 23 genera and 66 species belonging to 4 subfamilies (Ponerinae, Myrmicinae, Dolichoderinae, Formicinae) were identified. Of the 66 species identified, 3 (Aphaenogaster ovaticeps, Messor minor, Carebara oertzeni) are new records for the Turkish fauna, and 3 species (Messor ebeninus, Tapinoma simrothi, Proformica striaticeps) are new records for the Thrace Region. In vertical studies conducted on the southern and northern slopes of the Ganos Mountains, the number of species was found to be low at altitudes between 0-200 m (24 species), reaching the highest numerical value between 200-800 m (47 species), and at altitudes from 800 m to the summit the number of species decreased again (26 species).

First records of Aulacus striatus Jurine, 1807 (Hymenoptera Aulacidae) and its host, Xiphydria picta Konow, 1897 (Hymenoptera: Xiphydriidae), from Türkiye

This study was performed in the Yeşilırmak delta of Samsun province located in northern Türkiye to reveal the diversity of rare wasp species. For this purpose, specimens belonging to the family Aulacidae and Xiphydriidae were collected with Malaise traps from various localities in the study area between 2022 and 2023. As a result, the occurrence of the parasitoid wasp Aulacus striatus Jurine, 1807 (Hymenoptera: Aulacidae) was reported for the first time in Türkiye. This is also the first record of genus Aulacus Jurine, 1807 (Hymenoptera: Aulacidae) from the country. Additionally, two putative hosts of A. striatus, Xiphydria picta Konow, 1897 and Xiphydria prolongata (Geoffroy, 1785) have been collected. Of these species, X. picta is new to the Turkish fauna. With these new records, the number of aulacids in Türkiye is raised up to six species in two genera, while the number of xiphydriids is raised up to three within one genus.

Coleopteran Pests Infesting Astragalus Plants on Karacadağ Mountain with a New Species for the Turkish Fauna

Coleopteran Pests Infesting Astragalus Plants on Karacadağ Mountain with a New Species for the Turkish Fauna

Studies on the Ennominae Fauna and Taxonomy of the Dağlıca (Geometridae, Lepidoptera)

Ennominae is an important group in the Geometridae family that contains problematic species with very similar external morphological characters. In this study, Ennominae species collected from Yüksekova Dağlıca town of Hakkari Province between April and September 2017 were evaluated from a faunistic and taxonomic perspective. 28 species were identified in the study. Charissa onustaria, C. subtaurica and Crocallis tusciaria species were identified for the first time from Hakkari Province. C. loebeli, Neognopharmia cataleucaria, and Ramitia kufrana were detected in the region are also important endemic taxa for the Turkish fauna. Rhoptria mardinata and Eumera hoferi, known only in Türkiye and Iran, are other rare species found in the region. R. mardinata was presented with photographs of male genitalia for the first time. Morphological and taxonomic aspects of the species under the genera Dicrognophos, Gnopharmia, Crocallis, Bellachima, Charissa, Synopsia and Nychiodes are discussed

Saproxylic beetles on oaks in a wooded pasture in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and contributions to Turkish entomofauna

This research was conducted to investigate the saproxylic Coleoptera fauna found in oak trees of different ages in Mersin/Gülnar in the Eastern Mediterranean Region in 2017. Fourty-five window traps were used to sample the beetles on the oak trees. Traps were checked five times, once a month, from June to October. In total, 13 217 individuals from the order Coleoptera were collected and 242 saproxylic beetle species belonging to 44 families were found. In the material, 33 beetle species were identified as new records for the Turkish fauna. Most beetle species were from the Buprestidae (24 species), Anobiidae (23 species) and Tenebrionidae (18 species) families. The highest numbers of individuals were from the Dermestidae (2 354), Elateridae (2 325) and Curculionidae (1 531) families. The highest number of individuals were Xyleborus dryographus (Ratzeburg, 1837) (Curculionidae) and Cardiophorus (Cardiophorus) parvulus Platia & Gudenzi, 2000 (Elateridae) with 1 109 individuals each. Three species were found; namely Protaetia (Eupotosia) mirifica (Mulsant, 1842), Chromovalgus peyroni (Mulsant, 1852) (Cetonidae) and Propomacrus bimucronatus (Pallas, 1781) (Euchiridae), which appear on the IUCN European and Mediterranean red list as Vulnerable (VU).

Description of Typhloseiulus anatolicus sp. nov. and redescription of two new records of Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) from Turkey

Surveys were carried out to determine Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) species in oak plantations (Quercus spp., Fagaceae) in different regions of Turkey. As a result, Typhloseiulus anatolicus sp. nov. Döker is described and illustrated based on female and male specimens. The new species is placed in the simplex species group of Tsolakis and Ragusa due to the elongated calyx of spermatheca. It differs from its congeners by having seta J2 more than six times longer than seta j6, and seta S5 about three times longer than seta R1 as well as eight setae on genu II, in the female. In addition, Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) rapidus Wainstein and Arutunjan, and Paraseiulus incognitus Wainstein and Arutunjan are reported for the first time for the Turkish fauna. Although T. (A.) rapidus was reported for the Turkish fauna by an earlier study, we consider the previous report invalid, because it shows three pairs of preanal setae as opposed to four pairs in the original description and the material examined in this study. Furthermore, P. incognitus is removed from junior synonymy with P. soleiger and redefined. Therefore, in this study, we retain these two species as distinct species due to differences in their adenotaxy.

A faunistic study of Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera) from Northeastern Anatolia Region (Erzurum: Yakutiye and Uzundere) of Türkiye

This faunistic study was conducted to determine the species of Ichneumonidae collected by insect net from Erzurum, Yakutiye and Uzundere districts of Türkiye between June and November in 2020-2021. As a result of this research, 232 specimens representing 17 species from 14 genera belonging to subfamilies Cremastinae, Cryptinae, Ichneumoninae and Pimplinae were distinguished. Among them, Mesoleptus vigilatorius (Förster, 1876), Mesostenus funebris Gravenhorst, 1829 and Cubocephalus associator (Thunberg, 1822) are new to the Turkish fauna. The collecting area, date of collection, altitude of collection, specimens and sex number, visited plants, their distribution in Türkiye and general geographic distribution of species have been presented.

Entomophagous species of litter (Aleyrodidae)

There are several types of spider mites, some of which are specialized to feed on certain crops, and they are a major nuisance in agriculture. Predatory insects and mites, such as golden-eyes, semi-hardwings, cockroaches, and predatory mites, can successfully reduce the number of spider mites. The type of crop and the particular spider mite species have an impact on how successful these predators are. Spider mites are a frequently encountered agricultural pest, and there exist numerous types of spider mites that have adapted to feed on particular crops. In the experiment, various entomological instruments such as MBS-2, MBI-3, electron microscope Telsa-BS-613 from microscopes, and MEMMERT E05273 thermostat were used. In a study conducted in Turkey, 48 entomophagous species of greenhouse cockroaches were identified, of which 17 were found to be the primary species for controlling cockroach populations. A new species, Acletoxenus formosus Loew (Diptera: Drosophilidae), was also identified for the first time in the Turkish fauna.

Contribution to the knowledge of the Chalcididae, Leucospidae and Perilampidae fauna from Bingöl and Diyarbakır provinces of Turkey (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea)

This study is based upon material collected in Turkey (Diyarbakır and Bingöl provinces) between 2017 and 2020. In total, nine species belonging to four genera from three subfamilies in Chalcididae, one species belonging to one genus from Leucospidae and one species belonging to one genus from Perilampidae were listed. Among them, Conura libanotica (Schmiedeknecht, 1909) from the family Chalcididae was recorded, which is a first report for the Turkish fauna. Additionally, the male genitalia of six species of Chalcididae and Leucospidae families are illustrated for the first time.

Evaluations of Turkish Soldier Beetle (Coleoptera: Cantharidae) Fauna from the Zoogeographical Perspective

In this study, zoogeographic evaluations of the Turkish Cantharidae family were performed. In this context, the faunistic similarities between the geographical regions of Turkey, Turkey- neighbor countries, and the Turkey-Subregions of the Palaearctic region were compared. According to current literature, the Turkish fauna of the Cantharidae is composed of two subfamilies, 15 genera, and 254 species (of which 167 are endemic species). The Mediterranean region has the most species (106 species) and the most endemic species (74 species). The highest similarity is found between the Central Anatolian and Aegean regions (60.2%). Cantharis livida Linnaeus, 1758 is distributed in all Turkey geographical regions. The Turkish cantharid fauna is more similar to that of Iran than other neighboring countries when comparing subregions of the Palaearctic region. The Cantharidae fauna of Turkey showed the most similarity to the fauna of the Middle East with a rate of 55.2%.

First record of the mite family Nosybeidae (Acari, Oribatida) from Turkey: Lamellocepheus personatus

In this study, on the basis of the specimens collected from Artvin province, Turkey, Lamellocepheus personatus (Berlese, 1910) belonging to the family Nosybeidae was recorded as new for the Turkish fauna. Its morphological features were given with the scanning electron microscope images, and also distribution and ecology discussed.

Yüksek Rakımlı Karstik Bir Mağara Deresinin (Güvercinkaya Mağarası: Çanakkale, Türkiye) Hidrokimyasal ve Bakteriyolojik Durumu ile Sucul Makroomurgasız Bulguları

Caves are laboratories for many disciplines that work in natural sciences including mineralogy, biology, hydrogeology, and archaeology. In this study, bi-monthly samplings were carried out from three sampling locations within and around the Güvercinkaya Cave, a high-altitude cave located in northwestern Turkey, to evaluate the hydrochemical and microbiological properties and the aquatic macroinvertebrates of the cave stream. Some parameters of the water including pH, electrical conductivity, temperature, oxidation-reduction potential, and dissolved oxygen were measured in-situ, while elemental (70 in total) and ionic composition of water were analyzed in the laboratory. Microbiological analyses of the cave stream were examined through analyses of total bacteria, total coliforms, fecal coliforms, fecal Streptococcus, and Escherichia coli. According to the Piper diagram of hydrochemical data, the cave stream had mainly Ca-Mg-HCO3 character, on the other hand, the Schoeller diagram indicated a common water source in Güvercinkaya cave due to the similar components of the main ionic components of the water. As a result of microbiological analysis, fecal contamination was determined, indicating active wildlife in the cave. Additionally, several aquatic macroinvertebrates taxa, Rhynchelmis limosella, Dugesia sp., Gammarus uludagi which have non-troglobiont character were found in the cave stream. Rhynchelmis limosella detected in this study is the first record for the Turkish fauna.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BLACK FLY FAUNA (DIPTERA, SIMULIIDAE) OF TURKEY WITH A NEW RECORD FROM THE WESTERN BLACK SEA REGION

Despite Anatolia's rich biodiversity potential, the blackfly fauna of Turkey has not been fully explored. 15 blackfly species from 73 different lotic habitats from the Western Black Sea Region have been reported. One species, Simulium (Nevermannia) carthusiense Grenier & Dorier, 1959 is new for the Turkish fauna. 10 species have been recorded from this region for the first time. The material was mainly collected in the spring from 2016 to 2018. Distributional remarks both in Turkey and world are given along with brief taxonomic evaluations for each species.

New records and complementary descriptions of three Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) species from Turkey

ABSTRACT Three species of the family Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata), Amblydromalus limonicus (Garman and McGregor), Neoseiulus fauveli (Athias-Henriot), and Typhlodromips sessor (De Leon), are reported for the first time from Turkey. The newly recorded species are redescribed and illustrated based on material collected from poplar trees, Populus spp. (Salicaceae), in Samsun Province on the Black Sea coast. Amblydromalus limonicus and T. sessor are mainly known from the Americas and are unexpected findings on poplar trees, as well as in the Turkish fauna. The third species, Neoseiulus fauveli, is known only from its original description from France. However, important morphological features, including dorsal setae lengths, cheliceral dentition, measurements, and the shape of macrosetae on legs, that are currently used to discriminate phytoseiid species, were missing in its original description. The presence of N. fauveli on Populus nigra L. in the present study is not surprising as many other species in the desertus species group of the genus Neoseiulus have been reported from species of Populus.

Re-description of the female of Kampimodromus langei Wainstein and Arutunjan (Acari: Phytoseiidae) based on normal and abnormal specimens, with the first description of its male

Kampimodromus langei Wainstein and Arutunjan (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is reported for the first time for the Turkish fauna. It is re-described and illustrated, based on normal and abnormal female specimens from material collected from Quercus cerris L. var. cerris (Fagaceae) trees in Samsun Province on the north coast of Turkey. In addition, the male is described for the first time in this study. Our examination of a series of female specimens of K. langei showed no remarkable differences compared to its original description and subsequent redescriptions. However, on both sides of a female specimen, we observed an additional dorsal seta inserted at the location of seta S1 known from other groups of Mesostigmata closely related to phytoseiid mites. The dorsal shield of the abnormal specimen is also illustrated and its setal measurements are provided. To the best of our knowledge of phytoseiids, the extra seta has been reported only for Typhlodromus (Typhlodromus) laurae Wainstein. The possibility of the more rearward location of anterior dorsal setae z6 and s6 which is known for some phytoseiid species, as well as the presence of extra seta/e on other species of phytoseiid mites, are also briefly discussed.

THE GEOMETRID MOTHS (LEPIDOPTERA) OF THE ANCIENT CITY HASANKEYF (BATMAN) AND A NEW SPECIES FOR THE TURKISH FAUNA

This study was conducted on the Geometridae fauna of Hasankeyf district of Batman between 2018 and 2020. 27 different localities were visited and 2.870 specimens in total were collected using insect net and UV light traps mostly in nighttimes, since the majority of Geometridae species are nocturnal. The taxonomic investigations of the collected specimens revealed presence of 66 species within 39 genera in 5 subfamilies (Desmobathrinae, Geometrinae, Ennominae, Larentiinae, Sterrhinae) in the study area. Gnophos chorista Wehrli, 1939, is reported as a new record for the Turkish fauna and photographs of the species are given for the first time. Charissa adjectaria Staudinger, 1898, Eupithecia dearmata Dietze, 1904, E. reisserata Pinker, 1976 and Gnophos sacraria Staudinger, 1895, which are rarely distributed in Turkey, are recorded in the study area.