Statistical assessment of seasonal variations in water quality for different regions in Lake Van (Türkiye).

On earth, surface water bodies interact and change with the natural ecosystems. These surface waters and water quality may be adversely affected due to different factors. To analyze the effects, parameters indicating water pollution and quality and the possible causes of these parameters should be examined. In addition, environmental pollution issues should be controlled by taking measures. The most important surface water body in the province of Van, located in the east of Türkiye, is the biggest soda Lake Van. The population density around the lake, human polluting factors, unconscious beach use, inadequate wastewater treatment, agriculture and livestock activities, small-scale industrial areas, and chemicals used create a pollution effect. In the study, data were obtained during year of 2018 from six important sampling points around Lake Van and from the middle of the lake. Twenty-seven water quality parameters were analyzed separately and together. These variables' yearly values were evaluated with Turkish Surface Water Quality Regulation (TSWQR, 2015). As a result, these points were determined to have class I in terms of water parameters according to the seasonal data. The basic descriptive statistics were compared with the regulation, and max, mean, and min values were examined. Data analyzed were done with probability-normality, trend analysis, correlation, and regression methods. The results of this study are that general parameters were normal and the quality of the six points continued to be similar. Na+, Cl-, salinity, and TDS were highly correlated, while DO and F were high matrix value parameters. EC, TDS, and SS regression equations provided high correlation parameters.

Seroepidemiological and entomological survey in a new focus of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis in Kars province, Northeastern Turkey.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) has now been recorded from 38 provinces of Turkey. Twenty-one VL cases were reported within six years from settlements located in most northeastern Turkey and we therefore aimed to carry out an entomological and seroepidemiological survey in this new focus for clarifying risk factors. Blood samples from 290 children and 165 dogs were collected. Sera samples were investigated for anti-Leishmania antibodies using indirect fluorescent antibody test. Sand fly collection for determining the fauna and seasonal activity was performed in all settlements by CDC light traps between June and September 2006. Although no seropositive child was detected during the survey the overall seroprevalence rate of canine leishmaniasis was found as 7.2%. A total of 4154 sand flies were collected and 10 species of genus Phlebotomus were identified belonging to Adlerius, Larroussius, Paraphlebotomus and Phlebotomus subgenera. Among them Phlebotomus kandelakii s.l. (55.44%), Phlebotomus balcanicus (12.62%) and Phlebotomus neglectus (4.40%) was detected as probable vector species for this new focus. The poor sanitation, very high population size of sand flies, probably because of very short season, no control measures for sand flies as well as dogs, and presence of microclimate suitable for sand flies were considered as main risk factors in the area.

Barcoding Turkish Culex mosquitoes to facilitate arbovirus vector incrimination studies reveals hidden diversity and new potential vectors.

As a precursor to planned arboviral vector incrimination studies, an integrated systematics approach was adopted using morphology and DNA barcoding to examine the Culex fauna present in Turkey. The mitochondrial COI gene (658bp) were sequenced from 185 specimens collected across 11 Turkish provinces, as well as from colony material. Although by morphology only 9 species were recognised, DNA barcoding recovered 13 distinct species including: Cx. (Barraudius) modestus, Cx. (Culex) laticinctus, Cx. (Cux.) mimeticus, Cx. (Cux.) perexiguus, Cx. (Cux.) pipiens, Cx. (Cux.) pipiens form molestus, Cx. (Cux.) quinquefasciatus, Cx. (Cux.) theileri, Cx. (Cux.) torrentium, Cx. (Cux.) tritaeniorhynchus and Cx. (Maillotia) hortensis. The taxon formerly identified as Cx. (Neoculex) territans was shown to comprise two distinct species, neither of which correspond to Cx. territans s.s. These include Cx. (Neo.) impudicus and another uncertain species, which may be Cx. (Neo.) europaeus or Cx. (Neo.) martinii (herein=Cx. (Neo.) sp. 1). Detailed examination of the Pipiens Group revealed Cx. pipiens, Cx. pipiens f. molestus and the widespread presence of the highly efficient West Nile virus vector Cx. quinquefasciatus for the first time. Four new country records are reported, increasing the Culex of Turkey to 15 recognised species and Cx. pipiens f. molestus. A new taxonomic checklist is provided, annotated with respective vector competencies for transmission of arboviruses.

Altitudinal variation in the morphometric characteristics of Aedes vexans Meigen from northeastern Turkey.

Body size is one of the most significant features of organisms and is correlated with a large number of ecological and physiological variables. Similar to size, biological shape is one of the most conspicuous aspects of an organism's phenotype and provides a link between the genotype and the environment. Body size may change with altitude and also habitat differences associated with altitude may affect the biological shape and some morphological characteristics. Four populations of Aedes vexans Meigen occurring in different ecological subregions at altitudes between 808-1,620 m in the Aras Valley from northeastern Turkey were compared using traditional and geometric morphometrics. When the wing shape differences of populations were analyzed by UPGM, the cluster analyses recognized two main groups of populations. Gödekli (808 m) comprised the first group while Zülfikar (848 m), Sürmeli (944 m), and Cilehane (1,620 m) populations comprised the second group. In the second group, Zülfikar and Cilehane populations showed a similar grouping pattern while Sürmeli appeared as a different group. Centroid sizes were used as measures of overall wing size differences among different regions. Aedes vexans from the Sürmeli region had relatively larger wings.

Biting activity of mosquito species (Diptera: Culicidae) in the Turkey-Armenia border area, Ararat Valley, Turkey.

During nine consecutive nights in July 2007 (from 18:15-05:45 h), mosquitoes landing-biting on humans were collected outdoors and indoors at the Turkey-Armenia border. A total of 1005 females were collected consisting of nine species. The dominant species was Aedes dorsalis (Meigen) (47.5% of total catch), followed by Anopheles hyrcanus (Pallas) (22.9%), Culex theileri (Theobald) (9.3%),Ae. vexans (Meigen) (6.6%), Ae. caspius (Pallas) (4.9%),Anopheles maculipennis s.l. (Meigen) (3.1%), Culex territans (Walker) (2.8%), Coquillettidia richiardii (Ficalbi) (1.6%), and Cx. pipiens L. (1.5%). The biting rate outdoors (15.1 mosquitoes/human/h) was greater than indoors (3.4 mosquitoes/human/h). The landing-biting of Ae. dorsalis peaked at dusk (19:15-19:45 h) and dawn (04:15-04:45 h). Ae. vexans activity increased soon after dark (20:15-20:45 h) and reached a peak at dawn (04:15-04:45 h). Maximum biting activity of An. hyrcanus and Cx. theileri occurred during the first sampling interval after dusk (20:15-20:45 h). A large number of An. maculipennis s.l. adults were collected during the second half of the night. We believe that these findings will contribute to decisions on the timing of mosquito control in Ararat Valley.

Initial and residual activity of VectoBac 12 AS, VectoBac WDG, and VectoLex WDG for control of mosquitoes in Ararat Valley, Turkey.

Two formulations, VectoBac 12 AS and VectoBac WDG, of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) and one formulation, VectoLex WDG, of Bacillus sphaericus were tested against Anopheles maculipennis, Culex pipiens, Culex theileri, Aedes caspius, and Aedes dorsalis larvae in drainage canals, a flooded plain, and a drainage well in the Igdir Plain of Arafat Valley, Turkey. VectoBac 12 AS applied at 0.5 and 1 liter/ha to a drainage canal provided complete control of Cx. theileri and 80% to 98% control of An. maculipennis. VectoLex WDG at 400 g/ha provided 100% larval control of Cx. pipiens and Cx. theileri in polluted drainage canals. High larval density of Ae. caspius decreased the efficacy of VectoBac 12 AS and VectoBac WDG in the flooded plain. Residual effects of Bti formulations lasted only a few days in the breeding areas. Residual activity of VectoLex WDG was negatively influenced by water depth, organic pollution, and sunlight and positively influenced by low water velocity and emergent vegetation.

[Efficient and permanent impact of two insecticides with the active ingredient, temephos, on mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae.]. / Temephos aktif maddeli iki insektisitin sivrisinek (Diptera: Culicidae) larvalari üzerindeki etkinlik ve kaliciligi

The efficiency of two insecticides with the active ingredient, temephos (Tambro(R) 500 EC and Ekolarv(R) 500 EC), in laboratory and field conditions on Anopheles sacharovi Favre, and Culex pipiens (Linnaeus) larvae has been determined. Under laboratory conditions, it has been determined that both species are sensitive to insecticides. Under field conditions, 100% of larval mortality has been found even with the lowest (0.05 l/ha) of insecticide doses. It has been found that there was no difference in permanence of the effect of insecticides and their doses (p > 0.05). It has been found that insecticides used in mosquito control which contain the active ingredient temephos have to be used for a 20 day period under central Anatolia conditions.

[Comments, expectations and advice of the local people on mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) control studies in the Ankara-Gölbasi region.]. / Ankara-Gölbasi'nda sivrisinek (Diptera: Culicidae) kontrol çalismalari hakkinda yöre halkinin düsünce, beklenti ve önerileri.

In the Ankara-Gölbasi region, mosquitoes are found in dense populations. A public survey has been carried out in order to determine the comments and the advice of the local people on the mosquito control studies. A total of 17 questions were asked in this public survey of 416 local people. Majority of the local people said that they are disturbed by mosquitoes and that they want to be informed in this subject. Besides, it has been found that the local people are highly sensitive to environmental pollution.