Effects of season and sex on the concentrations of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites in captive and free-ranging endangered mountain gazelles (Gazella gazella).

Introduction: The aim of our study was to measure fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) concentrations in captive and free-ranging male and female mountain gazelles (Gazella gazella) during their circannual cycle. In addition, FGM concentrations were used to track the intensity of the adrenocortical response in mountain gazelles during the same period. Methods: Fecal samples were collected from the ground in the Hatay Mountain Gazelle Wildlife Development Area in the Hatay Province of Türkiye (36°32' N, 36°32' E) in each season of the year (December, April, July, September). The sex of the animals was determined by detecting the SRY gene of the Y chromosome in DNA isolated from the fecal samples. FGM was extracted from dried fecal samples with methanol, and its concentration was measured using a previously partially validated ELISA. Results and discussion: The results indicate that season is the most important factor explaining the variability in FGM concentrations in mountain gazelles. In animals of both sexes, the highest concentrations of FGM were observed in September. The values were significantly higher in the captive population, perhaps due to unpredictable stress. In July, FGM concentrations were low in both populations. As a result of the overall analysis across seasons, the comparison of FGM concentrations between captive and free-ranging animals revealed higher concentrations in captive animals only in September but not in other seasons, although higher concentrations have been previously reported for several wild captive species. Due to predation risk, the presence of offspring can be considered a critical point in the biological cycle for the welfare of free-ranging mountain gazelles, as suggested by the higher FGM concentrations in the free-ranging population in July. The high number of visitors could be a challenge for mountain gazelles in captivity, as indicated by higher FGM concentrations during September. Sex had no effect on the FGM concentrations of either population.

Helminths of captive and free-ranging populations of the mountain gazelle (Gazella gazella): Evidence from faecal examination.

BACKGROUND: Understanding parasite diversity in wild and captive animal populations has critical implications for both individual animal health and ecosystem dynamics in a broader sense. In mountain gazelles (Gazella gazella), the gastrointestinal helminth community is poorly understood, limiting our efforts in the conservation of this endangered bovid species. This species has only two remaining populations in the world, including the isolated northernmost population in Türkiye. OBJECTIVES: To identify and compare the diversity and prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths in captive and free-ranging populations of mountain gazelles in Hatay, Türkiye, and to assess potential zoonotic risks. METHODS: In total, 105 fresh faecal samples, 45 individual samples and 60 faecal samples, representing 16 pools, from both captive and free-ranging populations were collected and analysed using Fulleborn flotation, Benedek sedimentation and Bearman-Wetzel methods faecal flotation methods, including the McMaster technique to determine the severity of infection. RESULTS: We detected 12 helminth taxa in our examination of faecal samples, including gastrointestinal nematodes, lungworms and trematodes. Parasites from the Trichostrongyloidea family demonstrated variable hatching stages and rates, potentially influenced by ambient conditions. We also detected one protozoan among the samples. Our results revealed a higher diversity of parasites in free-ranging populations compared to captive ones. CONCLUSIONS: This study underscores the necessity for regular parasitological surveillance in both captive and free-ranging wildlife populations for effective conservation management. It also contributes to the 'One Health' perspective by highlighting the potential zoonotic risks posed by parasites in wild ruminants. Our results have implications for the conservation and management of the mountain gazelle.

Determination of genetic variations in the genus Dryomys Thomas, 1906 (Rodentia: Gliridae) distributed in Turkey using NADH dehydrogenase 1 (ND1) gene.

Genetic diversity and phylogeny of Dryomys nitedula and Dryomys laniger from Turkey was described in the present study by using mitochondrial DNA NADH dehydrogenase 1 gene (ND1). Genetic variation in ND1 gene was determined by two model-based phylogenetic analyses and a network analysis revealed 27 haplotypes of D. nitedula constructing four main lineages (Thrace, Anatolia, North-eastern Anatolia and Savsat) that have non-overlapping geographic distributions and no shared haplotypes, but on the other hand, three haplotypes were detected in four samples of D. laniger from Turkey. It was determined that nucleotide diversity was low but haplotype diversity was high in D. laniger, whereas, D. nitedula has both high level of haplotype and nucleotide diversity. Characterization of Thrace lineage of D. nitedula with low nucleotide diversity and determination of the total nucleotide diversity of Anatolian lineages (Anatolia + North-eastern Anatolia+Savsat) to be approximately four times higher than that of Thrace lineage indicated that Anatolia may have served as a refuge for D. nitedula. Divergence times and high level of nucleotide differences between D. nitedula lineages showed that diversification of the lineages may have occurred before and during ice ages in Turkey, thought to be a refuge for post-glacial colonization and biodiversity resource of Europe. Additionally, estimated divergence times and calculated genetic distances yielded compatible results with the previous paleontological and genomic data for the diversification time of two species in the genus.

First assessment on the molecular phylogeny of Anatololacerta (Squamata, Lacertidae) distributed in Southern Anatolia: insights from mtDNA and nDNA markers.

The genus Anatololacerta (Lacertidae) occurs mainly in Anatolia (western and southern Turkey) and on the Aegean islands Samos, Ikaria, and Rhodos. Although its taxonomy has long been debated and is currently nascent, three morphological species have been attributed to this genus: Anatololacerta anatolica, Anatololacerta oertzeni, and Anatololacerta danfordi. Here, we investigated the evolutionary history of A. oertzeni and Anatololacerta danfordi based on both mitochondrial and nuclear markers (16S rRNA and cmos). In total, 34 Anatololacerta specimens were analyzed using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods. Our results supported the presence of four well-supported lineages: two belongs to A. oertzeni and two to A. danfordi. The temporal diversification of these lineages probably started with the divergence of the first A. oertzeni lineage from western Antalya at 7.9 Mya. The other two major splits may have occurred in early Pliocene (4.4 Mya: the divergence of the second A. oertzeni from A. danfordi) and in late Pliocene (2.7 Mya: the divergence of the two lineages of A. danfordi). The phylogeographical scenario suggests that the major diversification events (from late Miocene to late Pliocene) could be related with climatic oscillations (such as the late Miocene aridification and the Messinian Salinity Crisis) and tectonic movements (such as the uplift of the central Taurus mountain).

Phylogeny of Trachylepis sp. (Reptilia) from Turkey inferred from mtDNA sequences.

The taxonomic status of the species included into the genus Trachylepis in Turkey are doubtful. So far, three morphological species have been attributed to this genus in Turkey; Trachylepis aurata. T. vittata, and T. septemtaeniata. Here, we investigated the taxonomy of the Turkish Trachylepis species by employing phylogenetic and phylogeographic approaches and using mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome b and 12 S rRNA). In total, 45 Trachylepis and 6 Mabuya specimens were used analyzed. Phylogenetic analyses were carried out using Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Bayesian Inference (BI) methods. The phylogenetic relationships and the genetic distances retrieved, revealed that the Turkish species, which currently recognized as Trachylepis, are highly diversified, forming a distinct clade that shows closer phylogenetic affinity with the species of the genus Mabuya rather than the other Trachylepis species. In this clade, the three Turkish species are monophyletic with T. vittata to branch off first in late Miocene (10.54 Mya). The other two species (T. septemtaeniata and T. aurata) seem to have sister group relationship that diverged at the end of Messinian Salinity Crisis (5.27 Mya). As a whole, the examination of mtDNA lineages in the Turkish lizards of the genus Trachylepis may contribute substantially to the refining of their taxonomic status, since the three species of Turkey, although monophyletic, represent a distinct radiation that would could probably recognized as a different genus in Mabuya sensu lato.