A Contribution to the Biogeography of Ablepharus anatolicus and A. budaki (Squamata: Scincidae) Using Ecological Niche Modeling in Turkey

The Anatolian Peninsula is very richly biodiverse in terms of its location and with new studies, this wealth has gradually increased as new taxa of Anatolian origin are added to the literature. Ablepharus budaki and A. anatolicus, formerly considered to be subspecies of A. kitaibelli and A. budaki respectively, are spread throughout the southern part of Anatolia. Although recent phylogenetic and morphological studies revealed their species status, no information was given about the relation of the species with each other in terms of ecological niche. In this study, our primary goal was to discover whether the niches of these two taxa were different from each other. Considering the analyses made within the scope of this study, it has been revealed that both A. anatolicus and A. budaki are different from each other in terms of their ecological niche. However, since these two taxa have very small contact regions, an example of parapatric speciation, and their distribution areas cover almost completely different geographies, we can say that they have different ecological niche requirements, according to the results of this study. As a result, this study supported the findings in literature and the idea that these taxa are two different species

Subalterns and 'ghosts' behind Kiepert’s maps of the Anatolian peninsula (1830s–1890s)

Although they are discussed less frequently than his maps of the Balkans, Heinrich Kiepert's maps of Anatolia, and those of the Aegean coast in particular, nevertheless occupy a prominent place in his work. First published between the 1840s and the 1890s, Kiepert's maps reflect the way in which the German “classical Orient” depicted by Said (Said, 1978) became increasingly "real" over the years and emerged as a target for strategic and imperialist penetration. While their archaeological orientation tended to eclipse their ties to the German and Ottoman military, this analysis reveals how civil and military investigations were intertwined from the outset, and linked to a desire for national prestige. Based on the archives of the State Library in Berlin, the Secret State Archives of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation and the Ottoman State Archives, this article aims to highlight the ambivalence and different facets of Heinrich Kiepert's cartographic project in Anatolia. The context of his work will be analyzed in order to understand the conditions under which his cartography was produced and the transimperial exchanges that shaped it.

Mitogenome Phylogeny Including Data from Additional Subspecies Provides New Insights into the Historical Biogeography of the Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx

Previous molecular studies of the wide-ranging Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx focused mainly on its northern Palearctic populations, with the consequence that the reconstruction of this species’ evolutionary history did not include genetic variation present in its southern Palearctic distribution. We sampled a previously not considered Asian subspecies (L. l. dinniki), added published data from another Asian subspecies (L. l. isabellinus), and reassessed the Eurasian lynx mtDNA phylogeny along with previously published data from northern Palearctic populations. Our mitogenome-based analyses revealed the existence of three major clades (A: Central Asia, B: SE Europe/SW Asia, C: Europe and Northern Asia) and at least five lineages, with diversification in Lynx lynx commencing at least 28kyr earlier than hitherto estimated. The subspecies L. l. isabellinus harbors the most basal matriline, consistent with the origin of Lynx lynx in this subspecies’ current range. L. l. dinniki harbors the second most basal matriline, which is related to, and may be the source of, the mtDNA diversity of the critically endangered Balkan lynx L. l. balcanicus. Our results suggest that the Anatolian peninsula was a glacial refugium for Eurasian lynx, with previously unconsidered implications for the colonization of Europe by this species.

Kuningas Hattušili I testament

From the Hittite kingdom in the Anatolian peninsula of the II millennium, the first known Indo-European-ruled political entity, the so-called bilingual testament of Hattušili I (ca. 1650–1620 BC) has long fascinated modern scholars. This article offers a translation of the original Hittite text into Estonian. The testament describes the turbulent political situation of the state’s earlier period, filled with the king’s unruly family members and many rebellions. Seemingly on his deathbed, King Hattušili I proclaimed that instead of the young Labarna, the previously designated heir, a new candidate – Muršili – would take his place, due to the former’s unkind nature. Labarna had not been the first to oppose Hattušili. His daughter and son had also done that, revolting against their father. The numerous problems related to inheriting the kingship in the early period of Hittite history have also prompted an ongoing discussion about the succession principles in Hittite society. Concerning the literary value, the testament is a masterpiece that incorporates historical exempla, metaphors, similes, direct speech, and rhetorical questions to enforce the king’s arguments and to persuade his audience – the upper echelons of the Hittite society. Despite its name, the testament seems to have more didactical than juridical purposes, as the king offers many instructions to his new heir – to be kind, abstemious, pious and, first and foremost, he orders to heed his wisdom and his will. The ones around the new designee are exhorted to be united and supportive to Muršili. As such, the text can be compared to some other proto-Fürstenspiegels, like “The Teaching for King Merikare” form Egypt’s Middle Kingdom, but it also bears parallels to Gen 49. All in all, the testament is a remarkable insight into Hittite history and society.

Lamprochernes savignyi (Simon, 1881) (Arachnida, Pseudoscorpiones) recorded in Central Europe for the first time

The pseudoscorpion Lamprochernes savignyi (Simon, 1881) is reported in Central Europe for the first time. The new record from Switzerland is based on a single female specimen found in a compost heap in the Conservatory and Botanical Garden in Geneva. Until now, the species is distributed mainly in Africa, Americas, and Asia, less in Australia and Oceania, Europe, and the Arabian Peninsula. The new record fills in the gap in species distribution between Northern Europe and the Anatolian Peninsula. A description of the collected female is provided.

Seesaw of Precipitation Variability over Anatolian Peninsula between LGM and Future Projections: A Possible Role of Wind Direction Change

<p>Turkey is a part of Eastern Mediterranean and located between 36-42° North latitudes and 26-45° East longitudes, where Europe meets Asia. The country, which mostly comprises the Anatolian Peninsula, is unique in terms of geographical position and topography and occupies a region which is highly sensitive to climate change. Considering that the region is prone to drying as a result of climate change, inferences about future precipitation patterns is of value.</p><p>Studies conducted by cosmogenic surface dating of boulder moraines revealed that, during Last Glacial Maximum (LGM; 21 Ka), the precipitation at the southwest of Anatolian Peninsula was higher than today, and at the northeast it was lower than today, which implies a regional heterogeneity. On the other hand, future projections of precipitation point out reverse conditions. That is, there will be lower (higher) than today precipitation at the southwest (northeast) of the country. Namely, a seesaw of precipitation variability prevails between cold climate of LGM and warm climate of future.</p><p>As a highland located at mid-latitudes, Anatolian Peninsula takes most of the precipitation during winter. What mainly drives the changes in winter precipitation is the changes in atmospheric circulation. Model simulations reveal a southward and northward displacement of polar jet stream and consistent shifts of storm tracks during LGM and in the future respectively. Knowing this fact, we investigated directions of winds which carry precipitation into Anatolian Peninsula, for the sake of explaining the dominant regional mechanism related to abovementioned seesaw pattern of precipitation.</p><p>We utilized monthly 850 hPa wind and precipitation data from the outputs of CCSM4.0 model of CMIP5 project and analyzed winds for past (LGM), present time and future conditions. Considering that it produces opposite conditions with comparable magnitudes with LGM, we used the RCP8.5 scenario. We found out that the 850 hPa winds entering from west into the peninsula are becoming more zonal (less tilted) as time passes from LGM to future. In other words, southwesterly winds evolve into westerly ones with a slight clockwise change of wind direction. This change considered together with orography of the peninsula explains the seesaw of precipitation variability over Anatolian Peninsula between cold and warm phases of global climate.</p>