TURKISH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

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2026-03-18

Latest sightings of the striped hyena in North Africa: major threats and conservation actions

2026-03-18

ABDERRAZAK EL ALAMI et al.

The striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) is widely distributed across the northern half of Africa, the Middle East, the Arabian Peninsula, and parts of Asia. However, numerous studies indicate that this carnivore is in decline, and it is currently classified as near threatened on the IUCN Red List of threatened species. In North Africa, the Hyaena hyaena barbara subspecies has been extirpated from many areas. This article summarizes data collected from observations of the striped hyena in North Africa between 2004 and 2024. Among the 418 striped hyenas recorded in North Africa between 2004 and 2024, 18.4% (n = 77) were confirmed road kills, 9.6% (n = 40) were mortalities caused by locals, hunters, or poachers (retaliatory killing and poaching), and 4.1% (n = 17) were captured. Human activity (e.g., road collisions, intentional kills, and captures) directly removed 134 hyenas (32.1% of all hyenas recorded). Road traffic collisions were the primary cause of death (77 hyenas), followed by intentional killings by residents, hunters, or poachers (40 hyenas) and captures (17 hyenas). These findings show the detrimental effects that human-caused threats—specifically traffic, persecution, and live capture—have on striped hyena populations across North Africa. This study provides conservation suggestions to protect the remnant populations in various parts of North Africa based on the primary risks to the species.

Blinking without eyelids: first video-documented evidence of a blink-like reflex in Ophisops elegans (Reptilia: Lacertidae)

2026-01-27

TURAN MERİÇ ÇELEBİ et al.

Eyelids play a crucial role in protecting the eyes of vertebrates; however, certain reptile species, such as Ophisops elegans, completely lack movable eyelids. In this study, we present the first video-documented evidence of a blink-like reflex in O. elegans, captured through endoscopic field observations and corroborated by laboratory video analysis. The observed movement consisted of a brief convex deformation of the ocular surface, lasting approximately 0.3 s and resembling a blink despite the presence of a fixed transparent brille. This behavior was observed once in the field and twice under controlled laboratory conditions. We propose that O. elegans may employ subtle contractions of the ocular musculature to mimic the protective function of blinking. These findings indicate a novel compensatory mechanism in eyelidless lizards and underscore the need for further research into ocular adaptations among reptiles.

Habitat diversity or altitudinal gradient? Which factor better explains ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) biodiversity? A case study from Davraz Mountain (Isparta, Türkiye)

2026-01-27

EBRU CEREN FİDAN et al.

Ground beetle (Carabidae) species diversity and spatial distribution were surveyed across five habitat types along an elevational gradient on Davraz Mountain, a biogeographical transition area in southwestern Türkiye. The analyses showed that habitat heterogeneity—particularly soil moisture and texture—exerts a stronger influence on carabid diversity than elevation. Sørensen’s and Jaccard similarity indices showed strong faunal overlap between some sampling areas, while multivariate principal components and canonical correspondence analyses verified distinct environmental gradients influencing community structure. Diversity indices indicated varying levels of species richness and evenness across sampling areas. The data highlight the importance of fine-scaled habitat features in driving ground beetle biodiversity and the value of local-scale ecological studies in conservation planning.

Zonation-dependent distribution of microplastic occurrence in Patella caerulea from Mersin Coast, Türkiye

2026-01-27

EZGİ DEĞİRMENCİ et al.

Increasing plastic pollution has become a critical environmental issue, leading to challenges in management. Specifically, microplastics (MPs) are of particular concern because they can persist in aquatic ecosystems and adversely affect marine organisms. The objective of this study was to assess the occurrence of MPs in the soft tissues of Patella caerulea (Linnaeus, 1758) collected from the Mersin Viranşehir coastal area. As no specimens were found in the supralittoral zone, the decision was taken to conduct sampling only in the mediolittoral and infralittoral zones. The total sampling area was 24 m2 divided into three 4-m2 plots in each zone. A total of 80 individuals were collected. The mean (SE) MP concentration in the soft tissues of P. caerulea was 17.05 MPs/g wet weight (ww) (16.84) in the mediolittoral zone and 10.88 MPs/g ww (8.02) in the infralittoral zone. MPs identified in soft tissues ranged from 0.1 to 5 mm. The mean abundance of MPs per gram of soft tissue varied by morphological type: fragments (31.85 MPs/g ww (6.39)) were the most dominant, followed by granules (10.64 MPs/g ww (1.97)), filaments (8.59 MPs/g ww (1.15)), and films (4.46 MPs/g ww (0.91)). Polymer composition analysis showed that MPs were primarily composed of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyester/ polyethylene terephthalate (PES/PET), nylon-6, and cellulose. Notably, the proportions of PE, PP, and PS were higher in the infralittoral zone compared to the mediolittoral zone. These findings highlight the extent of MP contamination in P. caerulea and the influence of coastal zonation on MP accumulation in marine gastropods.