In this study, with the aim of evaluating coagulant activities in the venom of Mo ntivipera xanthina, we analyzed venom proteins, digestion patterns of fibrinogen chains incubated with venom, and the effects of protease inhibitors on M. xanthina venom proteases. Venom samples were obtained from four adult specimens collected in Gümüldür (Izmir, Turkey). SDS-PAGE analysis showed the presence of 17 protein bands or band groups in the molecular mass range of 20 to 200 kDa. The specific digestion patterns of fibrinogen chains revealed that M. xanthina venom possesses fibrinogenolytic enzymes, which could be involved in coagulation processes during envenomation. Fibrinogenolytic activity affected the Aα-chain and showed a time-dependent effect on Bβ-chains, which suggests the presence of both metalloproteinases and serine proteases in M. xanthina venom. After observing the fibrinogenolytic activity of M. xanthina venom, further research should focus on the isolation, identification, and characterization of individual venom components in order to provide insight into their function and biological roles.

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Th is is the fi rst record of the presence of Montivipera albizona (Nilson, Andrén & Flärdh 1990), in Kahramanmaraş province, Mediterranean Region of Turkey. Here, one young male specimen was collected and is described. Th e present record of M. albizona extends its known distribution (Kulmac Mountain Range, Sivas) some 250 km to the south-west, where the Anatolian Diagonal exhibits a bifurcation. Our data based on the electropheoretic analysis of blood-sera, indicate that the M. xanthina populations from the western Anatolia and M. albizona distributed along the Anatolian Diagonal show signifi cant diff erences, qualitatively and quantitatively. Accordingly, it is concluded that M. albizona should not be included within the polymorphic species M. xanthina which lives in western Anatolia and therefore, it should be accepted as a valid species. Moreover, the actual distributions of the related taxa in Anatolia and the geographic structure of the Anatolian Diagonal were discussed.

The new species Eustenomacidius (Caucasohelops) egeuniversitatis sp. n. is described from Southeastern Anatolia (Van Province). The species differs from two other representatives of the subgenus Caucasonotus Nabozhenko, 2006 by the absence of temple grooves (lower aspect of eye having a posterior ventral groove) and shiny body without microsculpture. It is the first record of the genus in Turkey. Data on bionomics and a key to species of the subgenus Caucasonotus are given. Mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (cox1) barcoding regions of type specimens were also sequenced and uploaded to GenBank.

Th e aim of this study was to determine the blood cells parameters of Anatolian and Th racian Bombina bombina populations. Th e size and counts of various blood cells were analyzed in 29 mature Bombina bombina specimens belonging to two populations (Durusu-Istanbul and Döşeme Bataklığı -Adapazarı) in northwest Anatolia. Th e mean erythrocyte count was determined as 251.429/mm 3 , that of leucocytes was 2.114/mm 3 , and that of thrombocytes was 12.857/mm 3 . Th ere was no signifi cant sexual variation in blood cell counts of our B. bombina sample which was collected during their breeding season. Th e leucocyte diff erential counts and staining properties of blood cells were also determined. Interspecifi c comparisons indicate that northwest Anatolian B. bombina samples share general features with other anurans but diff er from other populations of the same species in blood cell parameters. Th e lower number of erythrocyte and their relatively large surface area of our samples suggest a lower level of metabolism and relatively higher oxygen uptake. We suggest that this structure is probably not only due to adaptations to diff erent geographic regions and altitude but also a combination of recent habitat reductions due to human actions and agricultural contaminants may account for the blood cell parameters as well as other genetic and morphologic patterns of these isolated and small populations of this species.

Turkonalassus mavi M. Nabozhenko & B. Keskin, sp. n. and Odocnemis rufocruralis M. Nabozhenko & B. Keskin, sp. n., two distinctive darkling beetle species of the tribe Helopini, are described from the Southeastern Anatolia region of Turkey, based on both their external morphology and genital structures. Turkonalassus mavi sp. n. differs from all congeners by the bluish dorsal surface of the body, the pronotum widest before middle, and wide merged baculi of the median lobe of the aedeagus. Odocnemis rufocruralis sp. n. belongs to the praelonga species-group. Odocnemis rufocruralis sp. n. is similar to O. torosica Nabozhenko & Keskin, 2016, O. terminassianae (Nabozhenko, 2011) and O. kakunini Nabozhenko & Keskin, 2016 but differs from all three taxa by the reddish-brown body with red legs, male apical maxillary palpomere wider than in female, elevate and narrowly separate male protrochanters, and the structure of the very long and narrow apical piece of the aedeagus. New data on distribution, bionomics, and trophic relations of several species of Helopini from Turkey are given. Host lichens are determined for nine species. The majority of studied adult beetles feed on lichens from the families Physciaceae and Parmeliaceae. Some examined taxa feed on Cladoniaceae. Feeding on crustose lichens is registered for the first time for Coleoptera, specifically Odocnemis rufocruralis sp. n. was observed to feed on Pertusaria sp. (on Prunus) in Mardin Province.

The genus Gunarus Des Gozis, 1886 is transferred from the subtribe Helopina to the subtribe Cylindrinotina (Tenebrionidae: Helopini) based on the structure of male aedeagus and presence of posterior ventral grooves of lower aspect of eye in the type species Gunarus hirtulus (Reiche, 1861). New combinations are established: Stenohelops (Stenomaleis) gayirbegi (Nabozhenko et Keskin, 2009), comb. n. (from Gunarus), Stenohelops (Stenomaleis) korkutelensis (Nabozhenko et Keskin, 2009), comb. n. (from Gunarus) and Ectromopsis ovipennis (Allard, 1877), comb. n. (from Gunarus). The species Gunarus arenicola Antoine, 1949 and G. bremondi Antoine, 1949 must be transferred to the subtribe Helopina but its generic position is unknown. Generic position of other 7 Gunarus species must be revised accordingly to the position of the type species G. hirtulus in the system of the tribe Helopini. Key to similar genera Nalassus, Gunarus, Ectromopsis, Xanthomus is given.Резюме. Род Gunarus Des Gozis, 1886 переведен из подтрибы Helopina (Tenebrionidae: Helopini) в подтрибу Cylindrinotina на основании строения эдеагуса самца и наличия вентральных бороздок, отходящих от нижнего края глаз, у типового вида Gunarus hirtulus (Reiche, 1861). Устанавливаются новые комбинации: Stenohelops (Stenomaleis) gayirbegi (Nabozhenko et Keskin, 2009), comb. n. (из Gunarus), Stenohelops (Stenomaleis) korkutelensis (Nabozhenko et Keskin, 2009), comb. n. (из Gunarus) и Ectromopsis ovipennis (Allard, 1877), comb. n. (из Gunarus). Виды Gunarus arenicola Antoine, 1949 и G. bremondi Antoine, 1949 должны быть переведены в подтрибу Helopina, но пока не установлено, в какой род. Родовая принадлежность других 7 видов, относимых к Gunarus, должна быть пересмотрена согласно положению G. hirtulus в системе трибы Helopini. Дана определительная таблица для схожих родов Nalassus, Gunarus, Ectromopsis, Xanthomus.

A total of 66 specimens belonging to eleven snake species, some of which were collected during the field studies of 17-31 July and 3-25 September 2003, and some others which have been previously collected and all have been deposited into the collection of ZDEU (Zoology Dept. Ege University), were evaluated taxonomically. 25 of the specimens belonged to Typhlopidae, 37 to Colubridae, three to Viperidae and one to Boidae. These specimens were evaluated from the points of view of pholidosis, pattern and coloration and morphological measurements. Some biological and ecological information were also given with the brief geological history of eastern Mediterranean region.