Papers by Abdullah Altunisik
Animal Biology
We investigated age structure, age at sexual maturity, lifespan, growth and survival rate and adu... more We investigated age structure, age at sexual maturity, lifespan, growth and survival rate and adult life expectancy (as demographic life-history traits) as well as body size of two Darevskia derjugini (Artvin lizard) populations from different altitudes, using skeletochronology. Our findings indicated that age upon attaining sexual maturity was two or three years in the low-altitude population (Fındıklı) while it was three years in the high-altitude population (Murgul) for both sexes. The maximum longevity was seven years in the high-elevation site while it was six years in the low-elevation site. As reported for many lizards, we found a significant positive relationship between age and body size within each sex of Artvin lizard at both altitudes. High- and low-altitude populations did not differ in age structure, survival rates, adult life expectancy and body size. Rather than the effect of altitude, which is hard to compare without replication of other low and high altitude popula...
Biological Diversity and Conservation
Amphibians are one of the most vulnerable group that are directly affected by environmental facto... more Amphibians are one of the most vulnerable group that are directly affected by environmental factors. Researchers report that nearly one third of species threatened with extinction. Amphibians in the temperate zone hibernate in winter season under normal conditions and fluctuations in climate impact indirectly the summer and winter activity of these ectothermic animals. In this study, we report data on the extraordinary activity of Bufotes variabilis in winter period and evaluated that variable toad could be active throughout the year due to global climate changes.
Acta Veterinaria Hungarica
Biological Trace Element Research
Acta Veterinaria Hungarica
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and types of antimicrobial resistance among ... more The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and types of antimicrobial resistance among Gram-negative enteric bacteria isolated from Pelophylax sp. Fifty-four frogs were collected from six provinces in the Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey. In the cloacal swab cultures, bacteria from 160 different colonies were identified by biochemical tests, automated systems, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation-time of flight mass spectrometry. The antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed by the disk diffusion method. The observed drug resistance rate was the highest to ampicillin and cefazolin, while the lowest against ciprofloxacin and tetracycline. In the molecular assays, bla TEM (8 Citrobacter spp.), bla SHV (2 Escherichia coli, 1 Hafnia alvei, and a Serratia liquefaciens), tetA genes (E. coli and Klebsiella spp.) and a class 1 integron without any gene cassette (E. coli) were detected. Among the strains, no plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance [qnrA, qnrB, qn...
Herpetozoa, Jun 30, 2013
Body size and age structure of a highland population of Hyla orientalis BedriAgA, 1890, in northe... more Body size and age structure of a highland population of Hyla orientalis BedriAgA, 1890, in northern turkey (Anura: hylidae) körpergröße und Altersstruktur in einer nordtürkischen hochlandpopulation von Hyla orientalis BedriAgA, 1890 (Anura: hylidae) ABdullAh Altunişik & nurhAyAt Özdemİr kurzFAssung unter Verwendung skelettochronologischer Arbeitsmethoden wurden körpergröße und Altersstruktur in einer Population von Hyla orientalis BedriAgA, 1890 (n = 41) aus kantarlı untersucht. der ort liegt auf etwa 800 m ü. m. in der schwarzmeerregion der türkei. das höchste festgestellte Alter betrug 8 Jahre bei Weibchen und sieben Jahre bei männchen. die geschlechtsreife trat in dieser Population im Alter von drei (Weibchen) bzw. zwei Jahren (männchen) ein. der unterschied im Alter von männchen und Weibchen war signifikant (independent sample t test, p < 0.05, t =-2.455). eine signifikante positive korrelation zwischen Alter und kopf-rumpf-länge bestand sowohl bei männchen als auch bei Weibchen. um den einfluß der seehöhe auf Altersstruktur und körpergröße der Population von kantarlı aufzuzeigen, wurden die möglichen Wirkungen der Parameter 'dauer der Aktivitätsperiode' und 'höhe des standortes über dem meer' mit ergebnissen anderer studien verglichen.
TURKISH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY, 2015
Life history characteristics (e.g., longevity, age at maturity, body size, and body mass) of the ... more Life history characteristics (e.g., longevity, age at maturity, body size, and body mass) of the green toad, Bufotes variabilis, were investigated from 2 populations inhabiting different altitudes (Çankırı, 960 m a.s.l., n = 57; Adana, 13 m a.s.l., n = 52) in Turkey. Age was determined using skeletochronology. The oldest individual was 11 years old (range: 4-11 years) in the highland population, while the oldest individual was 6 years old in the lowland population (range: 2-6 years). Sexual maturity was estimated at 3-4 years in the highland population and 2-3 years in the lowland population by the skeletochronological pattern. Mean body length was found to be 70.41 and 69.42 mm and 54.18 and 56.11 mm for females and males of the highland and the lowland populations, respectively. While mean body mass of the females and males from the highland population was 44.83 and 42.73 g, it was 19.09 and 19.66 g in the lowland population, respectively. Mean age, SVL, and body mass in the highland population were found to be significantly higher than in the lowland population. Colder climate, sufficient food availability, less human impact, and lower predator density in the highland population may explain the differences between the 2 populations. In addition, a significant positive correlation was found between age and body measurements (SVL and body mass) in both males and females of the populations.
Acta Herpetologica
The first demographic data and body size of the southern banded newt,
Ommatotriton vittatus (Caud... more The first demographic data and body size of the southern banded newt,
Ommatotriton vittatus (Caudata: Salamandridae)
Karçal Mountains are located in Artvin province (Turkey) that contains various types of ecosystem... more Karçal Mountains are located in Artvin province (Turkey) that contains various types of ecosystems. Based on the results of herpetological surveys conducted between August 2014 and July 2015, totally 18 species were recorded from 11 different stations around Karçal Mountains of which 7 were amphibians (2 salamanders and 5 frogs) and 11 were reptiles (5 lizards and 6 snakes). Specimens were investigated in terms of some morphological characters like color and pattern features, number of scales and plates and body measurements. In addition, a zoogeographical assessment was also carried out by the chorotype classification of Karçal Mountains.
In this study, the age structure of an Asaccus barani sample from Şanlıurfa (southeastern Anatoli... more In this study, the age structure of an Asaccus barani sample from Şanlıurfa (southeastern Anatolia, Turkey) was determined by
skeletochronology for the first time. A total of 17 preserved adults (7♂♂, 10♀♀) were evaluated, and the maximum observed lifespan
was recorded as 6 years in males and 5 years in females. The first line of arrested growth was partially eroded by endosteal resorption
in 29% of individuals and completely eroded in 18%. The mean age was 3.85 ± 0.50 years in males and 3.80 ± 0.32 years in females;
the mean snout–vent length (SVL) was 46.99 ± 2.64 mm (range: 37.78–54.13) in males and 46.89 ± 1.51 mm (range: 40.33–53.19) in
females. There was no significant difference between sexes in terms of age and SVL. However, there was a positive correlation between
age and SVL in both males and females.
Sexual dimorphism, phenotypic difference between males and females of the same species, has been ... more Sexual dimorphism, phenotypic difference between males and females of the same species, has been demonstrated in many invertebrates and vertebrates. In many of these studies, which were especially conducted on amphibians, female individuals were reported to be larger than males. However, this does not necessarily mean that this also applies to body shapes. Therefore, in this study, a total of 31 characters of body size and body shape were measured and analyzed in the Near Eastern fire sala-mander, in order to understand whether these characters differ between female and male individuals. The results suggest that there is a significant difference between the sexes in terms of both body size and some body shapes (e.g. arm and leg length, arm diameter, cloacal proportions) in this fire sala-mander. I conclude that both sexual size and shape dimorphism need to be taken into account to help understand an organism's life-history traits, ecology, population dynamics and behavior.
In this study, the age composition of a Podarcis tauricus population from Saros Bay (northwest Tu... more In this study, the age composition of a Podarcis tauricus population from Saros Bay (northwest Turkey) was determined by skeletochronology. 27 preserved adults (20}}, 5xx, 2 juveniles) were evaluated and the maximum observed lifespan was recorded to be 7 years in females and 6 years in males. The mean age was 5.2 ± 0.2 years in males and 5.0 ± 0.2 years in females; the mean snout-vent length (SVL) was 63.0 ± 0.7 mm (range: 60.4 – 64) in males and 61.3 ± 0.9 mm (range 52.4 – 68.5) in females. No significant differences were found between sexes in terms of body size, but the sexual dimorphism index (SDI), was determined as 0.03, indicating a weakly male-biased. Adult survival rate and adult life expectancy were estimated to be 0.51 and 2.54 for female individuals, respectively. The lizards reached sexual maturity between 2 and 3 years. No significant difference was found between the sexes in terms of age and head sizes. The age and SVL were correlated only in females. Additionally, a significant positive correlation was found among SVL, head length (HL), and width (HW) in females.
We studied, for the first time, the age structure of Eremias strauchi strauchi (Kessler, 1878) fr... more We studied, for the first time, the age structure of Eremias strauchi strauchi (Kessler, 1878) from a sample (18 adults) of a
population living in the vicinity of Iğdır (eastern Turkey) using the skeletochronological method. The maximum observed longevity
was 7 years for males and 5 years for females. The age of males ranged from 4 to 7 years (mean 4.91, n = 12), while that of females
ranged from 4 to 5 years (mean 4.66, n = 6). The average snout–vent length (SVL) was 61.10 mm in males and 60.82 mm in females. The
differences in mean age and SVL between sexes were not statistically significant. Intersexual differences in body size were male-biased,
but this state was not statistically significant. Age and SVL were positively correlated in both sexes.
To understand the effects of island and mainland on life history traits (e.g. longevity, age at m... more To understand the effects of island and mainland on life history traits (e.g. longevity, age at maturity, body size and body
mass) of the smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris (Linnaeus, 1758), we generated data on age and body measurements for an
island (Bozcaada) and a mainland (Çanakkale) population in northwestern Turkey. Age was determinated by skeletochronology.
The maximum life span was 4 years in the island population and 5 years in the mainland population. Age at maturity
was estimated to be 2–3 years for both sexes and the populations. While mean snout-venth length (SVL) was calculated as
35.56 mm for females and 31.95 mm for males in the mainland population, it was found to be 32.83 mm for females and
31.78 mm for males in the island population. Females from the mainland population were found to be significantly larger
and heavier than those of the island population. A significant positive correlation was found between SVL and age for only
males in the mainland population. Unexpectedly, age was not correlated with body size for the island individuals. Since
there were hardly any demographic studies on any Urodela species comparing island and mainland populations, in this
paper we contribute to the literature on this subject.
Life history characteristics (e.g., longevity, age at maturity, body size, and body mass) of the ... more Life history characteristics (e.g., longevity, age at maturity, body size, and body mass) of the green toad, Bufotes variabilis,
were investigated from 2 populations inhabiting different altitudes (Çankırı, 960 m a.s.l., n = 57; Adana, 13 m a.s.l., n = 52) in Turkey.
Age was determined using skeletochronology. The oldest individual was 11 years old (range: 4–11 years) in the highland population,
while the oldest individual was 6 years old in the lowland population (range: 2–6 years). Sexual maturity was estimated at 3–4 years in
the highland population and 2–3 years in the lowland population by the skeletochronological pattern. Mean body length was found
to be 70.41 and 69.42 mm and 54.18 and 56.11 mm for females and males of the highland and the lowland populations, respectively.
While mean body mass of the females and males from the highland population was 44.83 and 42.73 g, it was 19.09 and 19.66 g in the
lowland population, respectively. Mean age, SVL, and body mass in the highland population were found to be significantly higher than
in the lowland population. Colder climate, sufficient food availability, less human impact, and lower predator density in the highland
population may explain the differences between the 2 populations. In addition, a significant positive correlation was found between age
and body measurements (SVL and body mass) in both males and females of the populations.
Body size and age structure of a highland population of Hyla orientalis BedriAgA, 1890, in northe... more Body size and age structure of a highland population of Hyla orientalis BedriAgA, 1890, in northern turkey (Anura: hylidae) körpergröße und Altersstruktur in einer nordtürkischen hochlandpopulation von Hyla orientalis BedriAgA, 1890 (Anura: hylidae) ABdullAh Altunişik & nurhAyAt Özdemİr kurzFAssung unter Verwendung skelettochronologischer Arbeitsmethoden wurden körpergröße und Altersstruktur in einer Population von Hyla orientalis BedriAgA, 1890 (n = 41) aus kantarlı untersucht. der ort liegt auf etwa 800 m ü. m. in der schwarzmeerregion der türkei. das höchste festgestellte Alter betrug 8 Jahre bei Weibchen und sieben Jahre bei männchen. die geschlechtsreife trat in dieser Population im Alter von drei (Weibchen) bzw. zwei Jahren (männchen) ein. der unterschied im Alter von männchen und Weibchen war signifikant (independent sample t test, p < 0.05, t =-2.455). eine signifikante positive korrelation zwischen Alter und kopf-rumpf-länge bestand sowohl bei männchen als auch bei Weibchen. um den einfluß der seehöhe auf Altersstruktur und körper-größe der Population von kantarlı aufzuzeigen, wurden die möglichen Wirkungen der Parameter 'dauer der Aktivi-tätsperiode' und 'höhe des standortes über dem meer' mit ergebnissen anderer studien verglichen. ABstrACt Body size and age structure of a highland population of Hyla orientalis BedriAgA, 1890 (n = 41) from kantarlı, located at about 800 m a.s.l. in the Black sea region of turkey, was studied using skeletochronology. the maximum observed longevity was eight years in females and seven in males. Age at maturity in this population was three years in females and two in males. there was a significant difference in age between males and females (independent sample t test, p < 0.05, t =-2.455). A significant positive correlation was found between age and snout-vent-length both in males and females. to demonstrate the role of altitude on age structure and body size of the kantarlı population, the potential effects of the parameters 'duration of activity period' and 'altitude' were analyzed by comparing present data with data available from the literature.
The effect of altitude, latitude and climatic variables on life-history traits of male Hyla savig... more The effect of altitude, latitude and climatic variables on life-history traits of male Hyla savignyi (audOuin, 1827) from anatolia (Turkey): a skeletochronological study (anura: hylidae) der Einfluß von seehöhe, geographischer breite und Klima auf Entwicklungsmerkmale männlicher Hyla savignyi (audOuin, 1827) aus anatolien (Türkei): eine skeletochronologische untersuchung (anura: hylidae) Tuğba ErgüL KaLayci & nurhayaT ÖzdEMİr & abduLLah aLTunişiK & sErKan güL KurzFassung insgesamt wurden 127 Männchen von Hyla savignyi (audOuin, 1827) aus drei populationen unterschied-licher höhenlagen (İskenderun-10 m, şanlıurfa-476 m, iğdır-858 m ü. M.) hinsichtlich ihrer altersstruktur und Körpergröße mit skeletochronologischen Methoden untersucht. weibchen blieben wegen ihrer geringen zahl in der stichprobe unberücksichtigt. in den populationen von şanlıurfa und iğdır waren die ältesten Männchen sechs Jahre, in der population von İskenderun fünf Jahre alt. die sexuelle reife erreichten sie in allen drei populationen im alter zwischen einem und zwei Jahren. Männchen aus populationen von größeren höhen und geographischer breite waren im Mittel größer als solche aus tief gelegenen und südlicher gelegenen populationen. absTracT a total of 127 male individuals of Hyla savignyi (audOuin, 1827) from three populations of different altitudes (İskenderun-10 m a.s.l., şanlıurfa-476 m, iğdır-858 m) were studied for age structure and body size using skeletochronology. due to the small number of females collected, only males were considered in the analysis. The oldest individuals were six years old, both in şanlıurfa and iğdır, compared to five years in the İskenderun population. age upon attaining sexual maturity ranged from one to two years for all sites. Males from higher altitude and latitude populations were larger than individuals from low altitude and more southern populations.
Amphibia-Reptilia, 2000
To determine how climate factors influence age, body size and sexual size dimorphism (SSD) in the... more To determine how climate factors influence age, body size and sexual size dimorphism (SSD) in the Mediterranean region, we generated data on age and body size of the European Treefrog, Hyla arborea, in three Turkish populations with a latitudinal gradient. We estimated age structure (total n = 154), using skeletochronology. Mean body size of both sexes was smaller in a southern population (Antalya) than in northern populations (Çanakkale and Rize) with female-larger SSD in the northern populations. A positive correlation was found between age and body size in each sex of all the populations, save the Antalya females. Since amphibian growth is reduced after maturity but continues towards the asymptotic size, interpopulation size differences may partly be explained by differences in longevity with four years in Antalya and five years in the other two populations. Comparing age and body size in three Turkish populations with those in three different populations (Greece, Switzerland and Germany) from the literature, there was a trend of South-to-North increase in body size with increased latitude and decreased temperature and aridity. The same trend occurred also in age structure (e.g., age at maturity/first reproduction, longevity). These results suggest that a difference in age structure between populations is a main factor for the geographic variation in body size of this species.
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Papers by Abdullah Altunisik
Ommatotriton vittatus (Caudata: Salamandridae)
skeletochronology for the first time. A total of 17 preserved adults (7♂♂, 10♀♀) were evaluated, and the maximum observed lifespan
was recorded as 6 years in males and 5 years in females. The first line of arrested growth was partially eroded by endosteal resorption
in 29% of individuals and completely eroded in 18%. The mean age was 3.85 ± 0.50 years in males and 3.80 ± 0.32 years in females;
the mean snout–vent length (SVL) was 46.99 ± 2.64 mm (range: 37.78–54.13) in males and 46.89 ± 1.51 mm (range: 40.33–53.19) in
females. There was no significant difference between sexes in terms of age and SVL. However, there was a positive correlation between
age and SVL in both males and females.
population living in the vicinity of Iğdır (eastern Turkey) using the skeletochronological method. The maximum observed longevity
was 7 years for males and 5 years for females. The age of males ranged from 4 to 7 years (mean 4.91, n = 12), while that of females
ranged from 4 to 5 years (mean 4.66, n = 6). The average snout–vent length (SVL) was 61.10 mm in males and 60.82 mm in females. The
differences in mean age and SVL between sexes were not statistically significant. Intersexual differences in body size were male-biased,
but this state was not statistically significant. Age and SVL were positively correlated in both sexes.
mass) of the smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris (Linnaeus, 1758), we generated data on age and body measurements for an
island (Bozcaada) and a mainland (Çanakkale) population in northwestern Turkey. Age was determinated by skeletochronology.
The maximum life span was 4 years in the island population and 5 years in the mainland population. Age at maturity
was estimated to be 2–3 years for both sexes and the populations. While mean snout-venth length (SVL) was calculated as
35.56 mm for females and 31.95 mm for males in the mainland population, it was found to be 32.83 mm for females and
31.78 mm for males in the island population. Females from the mainland population were found to be significantly larger
and heavier than those of the island population. A significant positive correlation was found between SVL and age for only
males in the mainland population. Unexpectedly, age was not correlated with body size for the island individuals. Since
there were hardly any demographic studies on any Urodela species comparing island and mainland populations, in this
paper we contribute to the literature on this subject.
were investigated from 2 populations inhabiting different altitudes (Çankırı, 960 m a.s.l., n = 57; Adana, 13 m a.s.l., n = 52) in Turkey.
Age was determined using skeletochronology. The oldest individual was 11 years old (range: 4–11 years) in the highland population,
while the oldest individual was 6 years old in the lowland population (range: 2–6 years). Sexual maturity was estimated at 3–4 years in
the highland population and 2–3 years in the lowland population by the skeletochronological pattern. Mean body length was found
to be 70.41 and 69.42 mm and 54.18 and 56.11 mm for females and males of the highland and the lowland populations, respectively.
While mean body mass of the females and males from the highland population was 44.83 and 42.73 g, it was 19.09 and 19.66 g in the
lowland population, respectively. Mean age, SVL, and body mass in the highland population were found to be significantly higher than
in the lowland population. Colder climate, sufficient food availability, less human impact, and lower predator density in the highland
population may explain the differences between the 2 populations. In addition, a significant positive correlation was found between age
and body measurements (SVL and body mass) in both males and females of the populations.
Ommatotriton vittatus (Caudata: Salamandridae)
skeletochronology for the first time. A total of 17 preserved adults (7♂♂, 10♀♀) were evaluated, and the maximum observed lifespan
was recorded as 6 years in males and 5 years in females. The first line of arrested growth was partially eroded by endosteal resorption
in 29% of individuals and completely eroded in 18%. The mean age was 3.85 ± 0.50 years in males and 3.80 ± 0.32 years in females;
the mean snout–vent length (SVL) was 46.99 ± 2.64 mm (range: 37.78–54.13) in males and 46.89 ± 1.51 mm (range: 40.33–53.19) in
females. There was no significant difference between sexes in terms of age and SVL. However, there was a positive correlation between
age and SVL in both males and females.
population living in the vicinity of Iğdır (eastern Turkey) using the skeletochronological method. The maximum observed longevity
was 7 years for males and 5 years for females. The age of males ranged from 4 to 7 years (mean 4.91, n = 12), while that of females
ranged from 4 to 5 years (mean 4.66, n = 6). The average snout–vent length (SVL) was 61.10 mm in males and 60.82 mm in females. The
differences in mean age and SVL between sexes were not statistically significant. Intersexual differences in body size were male-biased,
but this state was not statistically significant. Age and SVL were positively correlated in both sexes.
mass) of the smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris (Linnaeus, 1758), we generated data on age and body measurements for an
island (Bozcaada) and a mainland (Çanakkale) population in northwestern Turkey. Age was determinated by skeletochronology.
The maximum life span was 4 years in the island population and 5 years in the mainland population. Age at maturity
was estimated to be 2–3 years for both sexes and the populations. While mean snout-venth length (SVL) was calculated as
35.56 mm for females and 31.95 mm for males in the mainland population, it was found to be 32.83 mm for females and
31.78 mm for males in the island population. Females from the mainland population were found to be significantly larger
and heavier than those of the island population. A significant positive correlation was found between SVL and age for only
males in the mainland population. Unexpectedly, age was not correlated with body size for the island individuals. Since
there were hardly any demographic studies on any Urodela species comparing island and mainland populations, in this
paper we contribute to the literature on this subject.
were investigated from 2 populations inhabiting different altitudes (Çankırı, 960 m a.s.l., n = 57; Adana, 13 m a.s.l., n = 52) in Turkey.
Age was determined using skeletochronology. The oldest individual was 11 years old (range: 4–11 years) in the highland population,
while the oldest individual was 6 years old in the lowland population (range: 2–6 years). Sexual maturity was estimated at 3–4 years in
the highland population and 2–3 years in the lowland population by the skeletochronological pattern. Mean body length was found
to be 70.41 and 69.42 mm and 54.18 and 56.11 mm for females and males of the highland and the lowland populations, respectively.
While mean body mass of the females and males from the highland population was 44.83 and 42.73 g, it was 19.09 and 19.66 g in the
lowland population, respectively. Mean age, SVL, and body mass in the highland population were found to be significantly higher than
in the lowland population. Colder climate, sufficient food availability, less human impact, and lower predator density in the highland
population may explain the differences between the 2 populations. In addition, a significant positive correlation was found between age
and body measurements (SVL and body mass) in both males and females of the populations.