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Cyprus Lizard for *Fortuna*


Cyprus Lizard for *Fortuna*
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 974 W: 3 N: 3088] (10784)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-10-22
Categories: Nature
Camera: Olympus C-5060WZ
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Lizards (Reptilia) of the Middle East [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-11-25 21:22
Viewed: 3278
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 40
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Phoenicolacerta troodica (Troodos/Cyprus Lizard) {in Turk. Kıbrıs Kertenkelesi, Trodos Kertenkelesi

I would like to dedicate this beautiful Cyprus Lizard’s shot to one of our beloved friend from Brazil, Sergio Fortuna (Fortuna) for his kind interest to my captures and his heartfelt friendship. Hoping you can like this my friend! I wish you all the best!

TFL!
Cheers,

Bayram

*****************************

This species is known only from Cyprus Island as an endemic species with a vertical distribution to 1200 m. (Troodos Mountain, Southern Cyprus). However, it is a coastal species in Northern Cyprus.

A diurnal active lizard with a total length around 12-20 cm. Rostral plate in contact with external nares; 2 postnasal plates; 5 supralabial plates in front of subocular plate; supraciliary granules above the eye usually in a complete row (97%); a large masseteric scale in temporal region; 51-68 rows of indistinct keeled dorsal scales at mid-trunk; ventral plates in 6 longitudinal rows; femoral pores between 19-24. In median gular region, scale numbers are 25 in average. The dorsum is gray, greenish-brown with dark spots or maculations. Flanks with a longitudinal dark stripe (temporal band), above which greenish-white round spots are present. Parallel subtemporal bands extend below the temporal bands down to the base of hind legs at least, or to the mid level of the tail. The venter is yellowish-white or light green, lateral parts with blue spots. Chin, throat and venter brick red in breeding season.

It inhabits sandy slopes, arid and vegetated areas, cultivated fields, loose garden walls, rocky and stony damp places; sometimes arboreal. Feeds on insects. A female lays 2-6 eggs.

Closely related species, Phoenicolacerta laevis (Syrian or Hatay Lizard) is distributed in Turkey, Syria, Lebanon and Israel. In both the lateral colour pattern of the body and the fairly dark-coloured window of large scales in the lower eyelid, the Cyprus specimens closely resemble P. kulzeri (Kulzer’s Rock Lizard or Petra Lizard) known from Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Jordan. However, they are also similar to Anatolian P. laevis specimens in general colouration, for example a strong orange-red colour on the ventral side during breeding season. P. troodica also differs from P. kulzeri in ventral colouration and in some pholidosis characteristics, e.g., absent or small-sized massetericum in temporal region. Habitats of the Petra Lizard and Troodos Lizard are different from each other. While the Petra Lizard is an arid form, the Cyprus form likes a relatively moist habitat, which is similar to the habitat of Hatay Lizard. Phoenicolacerta troodica differs from P. laevis in the following morphological characteristics: in P. laevis, median gularia (gular scale numbers in a medial longitudinal row) number is less (average 20), gular scales larger; the subtemporal “lines” below the temporal bands extend down to the mid-trunk level and also, supraciliary granules usually not in a complete row. Regarding blood-serum proteins, we found qualitative differences in both albumin and globulin proteins between the Hatay and Cyprus Lizard, which confirmed that the Cyprus and Hatay Lizard populations are clearly distinct species. Actually the Cyprus Lizard is accepted as P. troodica rather than the subspecies of P. laevis as previously suggested by us (Budak & Göçmen).

References:

1. Göçmen, B. (Unpub. results). The results of herpetological trips.
2. Budak, A. & Göçmen, B. (2005). Herpetology. Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi Kitaplar Serisi, No. 194, Ege Üniversitesi Basimevi, Bornova-Izmir, 226 pp. [2nd Edition, 2008].
3. Atatür, M. K & Göçmen, B. (2001). Amphibians and Reptiles of Northern Cyprus (1st Edition), Ege Üniversitesi, Fen Fakültesi Kitaplar Serisi, No. 170, Ege Üniversitesi Basimevi, Bornova-Izmir, 63 pp.
4. Arnold, E. N., Arribas, O. & Carranza, S. 2007. Systematics of the Palaearctic and Oriental lizard tribe Lacertini (Squamata Lacertidae Lacertinae), with descriptions of eight new genera. Zootaxa 1430: 1-86.
boomcat, tsesler, tanburi, burak28, CallMeMaria, juyona, cunejo200, Silvio2006, milas, norenastramus, Fortuna, zulfu, ayse51 has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Fortuna: Hiboreocypriensis 1 11-26 13:12
To norenastramus: selam:))))boreocypriensis 1 11-26 12:50
To boomcat: Hi Terryboreocypriensis 1 11-26 00:12
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • rigz Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 162 W: 0 N: 82] (1091)
  • [2008-11-25 22:39]

Good shot. Nicely composed and framing. Good note/informations. Well done!

TFS,
Geoffrey Bin Ramji

i see that you like lizards so much, Bayram.. :) well capture.. can see the detail clearly in the body.. nice gift to our friend too.. its colour almost the same as the bg.. tfs..

regards, terry

Merhabalar Bayram Bey,
o kadar güzel fotoğraflamışsınız ki pırıl pırıl derisine dokunma hissi uyandırdınız bende,
çok da asil bir poz vermiş bu arada o da size;)
ellerinize ve emeğinize sağlık,
selamlar,
Taner

Selam Bayram Hoca,
Bu sürüngenler ne harika türler.
şiir gibi... çekim ve sunum da öyle
Selahattin E

Merhaba Bayram Bey,
Nefis bir makro çekim daha.katalog çekimi kadar güzel.Elinize sağlık.
Selamlarımla..

hAyAti

Merhaba Bayram Hocam
Sergio için hoş bir hediye olmuş
Yine harika yakalamışsınız
Elinize sağlık
Burak

Hi Bayram,
Lovely!
Very nice blurred BG providing a magnificent DOF.
Great sharpness and details.
TFS
Regards,
Lurdes

  • Great 
  • juyona Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2585 W: 1 N: 425] (10173)
  • [2008-11-26 1:37]

Hey buddy,
Another beautiful capture,
and friendly dedication ...
good detail and focus,
the lighting is superb.
greetings Bay

Hello Bayram,
Lovely diagonal framing of the lizard. The focal point is rightfully on its head and eyes, and the bokeh is attractive. My compliments and greetings! Danilo

Merhaba Bayram, splendid lizard with fantastic details and excellent sharpness, great colors, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • EOSF1 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1977 W: 301 N: 3060] (26902)
  • [2008-11-26 10:46]

Hello Bayram, another nice lizard shot! Very sharp shot with good textures and colors, well done!

Mario

Merhaba Bayram hoca,
Çok masumane bakışlar ile birşeyler anlatmak ister
gibi bir hali var adeta...Harika netlikte güzel bir
çekim...Selam,sevgiler..
Dr.Seyfettin Güner

  • Great 
  • milas Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2841 W: 398 N: 3076] (34114)
  • [2008-11-26 12:21]

merhaba Bayram bey...
Sergio bize kardeşimm diye hitapeden güzel bir insan, onun adına sevindim....Yine harika bir sürüngen macrosu ve doyurucu notunuzla güzel bir çalışma yapmışınız...selamlar

Merhaba bayram
Netlik ve kadraj mükemmel.Çok güzel bir hediye olmuş.Ellerine saglık.
Selamlar
H.Ayhan

Merhaba my dear friend Bayram,

Many thanks for your kind words in the note and also for this wonderful gift!
It's a magnificent "lagarto" (lizard in Portuguese) and an excellent job, with perfect focus, beautiful natural colors, very good background!
Many thanks again!

Um grande abraço do seu amigo brasileiro,
(A big hug of your brazilian friend)

Sergio Fortuna

  • Great 
  • Saba Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1474 W: 0 N: 4177] (21534)
  • [2008-11-26 15:11]

Merhaba Bayram!
Splendid, superb picture!
Beautiful lizard, wonderful colors!
Congratulations.
Greetings.
Barbara

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer [C: 150 W: 0 N: 7] (44)
  • [2008-11-27 6:52]

Yine basking pozisyonunda zerafeti fazla bir kertenkle çekimi Bayram hocam. Estetik duruyor. Elinize sağlık.
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • ayse51 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2092 W: 144 N: 2110] (27563)
  • [2008-11-28 6:02]

Merhaba Bayram bey,
sizin bu güzel fotolarınızdan sonra kertenkelelere bakış açım gerçekten çok değişti.Hepsi muhteşem.Ellerinize sağlık.Bakmakla görmenin farkı buymuş demek.Teşekkürler.Necla.

Hi Bayram,
Excellent Lizard close-up.
I like your pov,dof,focus,sharpness,blurred bg,colors,lizard's pose and frame.Well Done.TFS
Siegfried

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 624 W: 0 N: 993] (4864)
  • [2008-11-28 18:23]

Hello Byram,
superbs harpness and excellent position.
Well caught in tis habitat.
Very natural and well lightwed reptile.

Regards,
Foozi

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