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Pülümür has been a refuge place for internal and external exiles several times throughout history, and today it is a district of the province of Tunceli (known as Dersim in the region), which differs significantly from many settlements around it in terms of biodiversity and social aspects. The aim of this study is to identify, catalog, and report the traditional medicinal uses of plants in this province, where every living thing and many natural objects around it are regarded as sacred, with a scientific ethnobotanical approach. The field study was completed between May 2016 and July 2023. The collection of plant excursion and plant usage information was implemented in two stages; in the first stage, a survey about the collection and the uses of medicinal plants was conducted. At this stage, plant samples were collected by visiting 49 villages of the district and performing face-to-face interviews with 112 participants (51 female and 61 male). In the second stage, the usage statistics related to the data obtained from the field studies were determined. For this reason, every informant was interviewed at least twice, people who were previously interviewed were included too. In the course of this study, interviews from 211 participants (95 female and 116 male) were analyzed. As a result of analysis, the traditional medicinal uses of 120 plants belonging to 48 families were identified. The most taxa are identified from the Asteraceae (15), Rosaceae (13), Fabaceae (8), Lamiaceae (8), and Apiaceae (6) families. In Pülümür, these medicinal plants are mostly used for the treatment of wounds, abdominal pain, constipation, and diabetes.

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Orthohantaviruses, cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, nephropathia epidemica, and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, are major public health problems all over the world. Wild rodent surveillance for orthohantaviruses is of great importance for the preparedness against these human infections and the prediction of possible outbreak regions. Thus, we aimed to screen orthohantaviruses in wild rodents in Southern Anatolia, where the area has some of the glacial period refugia in the Mediterranean Basin, and interpret their current epidemiology with climatic biovariables in comparison with previously positive regions.We trapped muroid rodents between 2015 and 2017, and screened for orthohantaviruses. Then, we evaluated the relationship between orthohantavirus infections and bioclimatic variables. In spite of the long-term and seasonal sampling, we found no evidence for Orthohantavirus infections. The probable absence of orthohantaviruses in the sampling area was further evaluated from the climatic perspective, and results led us suggest that Orthohantavirus epidemiology might be relatively dependent on precipitation levels in driest and warmest quarters, and temperature fluctuations.These initial data might provide necessary perspective on wild rodent surveillance for orthohantaviruses in other regions, and help to collect lacking data for a such habitat suitability study in a bigger scale in the future.

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This study presents the phytochemical composition, antioxidant (hydrogen atom and single-atom transfer mechanisms), and digestive enzyme inhibitory (alpha-amylase, alpha-glucosidase, and pancreatic lipase) activities of ethanol-based extractions and traditional preparations (infusion) of the leaves of wild-edible Allium species (A. kharputense, A. affine, A. shirnakiense, and A. akaka) from the highlands of Eastern Anatolia. Among the eight extracts analyzed, ethanol extractions of the A. kharputense and A. akaka leaves exhibited better biotherapeutic activities and had the highest bioactive content. The dominant bioactive profile was composed of mainly allicin and phenolic compounds (chlorogenic acid, hesperidin, rutin, isoquercitrin, and quercetin) with small amounts of fatty acids. These data were similar to the biological activities and chemical composition of common Allium species and suggest the utilization of the extracts of wild-edible Allium species in the development of Allium-based biotherapeutics or nutraceuticals.

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This paper discusses the discoveries of early donkey and the earliest mule remains in Central Anatolia from the site Derekutugun. This site represents the remains of a village dating back to the Early Bronze Age and Assyrian Trade Colonies period, associated with mining. The archaeofaunal assemblage was studied by the author and his team using classical archaeozoological methods. The dental remains of the Equidae found at Derekutugun have been re-examined and are described in this article. The dental evidence indicates that donkeys, and possibly the earliest mules ever found in Central Anatolia, were kept at this site. Although the paper is based on the archaeozoological remains, written sources from the period also support the faunal identification. Derekutugun was a small settlement that specialized in processing copper ore, and which was an important hub for a trade network because of its extensive mining and extraction operations.

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Biogeographically, Anatolia harbours a rich diversity of short-horned grasshoppers (Orthoptera, Caelifera). The number of species recorded from Anatolia so far stands at 300. They inhabit diverse habitats ranging from arid Eremial to Euro-Siberian-like montane meadows, aligning with the topographical and climatological heterogeneity of Anatolia. Alongside some swarming species, the pest potential of several pullulating species needs attention. This is especially important concerning global warming, a scenario expected to be more severe in the Northern Mediterranean Basin in general and Anatolia specifically. A faunal list of biogeographic Anatolia, the area extending from the Aegean Sea in the west to the intermountain basin of the Caucasus in the northeast, the lowlands of Lake Urmia in the east, and Mesopotamia in the southeast, was developed. The recorded species were classified according to the phytogeographical provinces of Anatolia. Distributions of the species with the potential for pullulating were modelled using ecological-niche-modelling approaches for the present and future. The results have the potential to lead to the development of a concept that merges biogeography and the pest potential of certain Anatolian grasshopper species. Our results reveal the following: (i) Acrididae and Pamphagidae are the most diverse families represented in Anatolia; (ii) roughly 40% of Caelifera and 71% of Pamphagidae are endemics, suggesting Anatolia is a biodiversity hotspot; (iii) according to Caelifera diversity, the phytogeographical provinces of Anatolia follow an order of Irano-Anatolia, Euro-Siberia, Mediterranean, and Mesopotamia; and (iv) based on ecological modelling and personal observations, Dociostaurus maroccanus, Locusta migratoria, Calliptamus italicus, Heteracris pterosticha, Notostaurus anatolicus, Oedipoda miniata, and O. schochii should be monitored regarding their pest potential.

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The wild carrot (Daucus carota) is famous for its dark flowers in the umbel centre. Several studies have been conducted to figure out their functional significance, but the evolution of the dark centre remains an enigma. In the present paper, we consider all known apioid species with dark-centred umbels to get a deeper understanding of their biology and evolution. Based on herbaria studies, literature and field work, we reconstructed the distribution area of 10 species (7 genera, 6 clades) of Apiaceae-Apioideae. To recognize homology of the dark structures, developmental studies were conducted in Artedia squamata and Echiophora trichophylla Field studies included architecture, flower morph distribution (andromonoecy) and flowering sequence within the plants, abundancy and behaviour of umbel visitors and preliminary manipulation experiments (removal/adding of dark structures). The dark structures are not homologous to each other. In the Daucus alliance, central flowers or umbellets are conspicuous, whereas in other species dark brush-like (A. squamata) or club-shaped structures (Dicyclophora persica, Echinophora trichophylla, Tordylium aegyptiacum, T. cappadocicum) develop from a naked receptacle. Species are andromonoecious, have a modular architecture and flower in multicyclic protandrous sequence. Among the many umbel visitors, beetles were the most abundant group. Only visitors found on umbels in both flowering phases were recognized as possible pollinators. Manipulation experiments indicated that the dark structures influence the behaviour of some, but not all umbel visitors. In Echinophora trichophylla, a massive gall infection was observed. It is evident that the dark structures evolved several times in parallel. The brush- and club-shaped structures are interpreted as the results of mutations affecting umbel development. Dark umbel centres are most likely stabilized by selection due to their general adaptive function. Their appearance in an area known as a hotspot of beetle pollination gives rise to the assumption that they may act as beetle marks.

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The plants' geographic distribution is affected by natural or human-induced climate change. Numerous studies at both the global and regional levels currently focus on the potential changes in plant distribution areas. Ecological niche modeling can help predict the likely distribution of species according to environmental variables under different climate scenarios. In this study, we predicted the potential geographic distributions of Quercus ilex L. (holm oak), a keystone species of the Mediterranean ecosystem, for the Last Interglacial period (LIG: ~130 Ka), the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM: ~22 Ka), mid-Holocene (MH: ~6 Ka), and future climate scenarios (Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios) for 2050-2070 obtained from CCSM4 and MIROC-ESM global climate scenarios respectively. The models were produced with algorithms from the R-package "biomod2" and assessed by AUC of the receiver operating characteristic plot and true skill statistics. Aside from BIOCLIM (SRE), all model algorithms performed similarly and produced projections that are supported by good evaluation scores, although random forest (RF) slightly outperformed all the others. Additionally, distribution maps generated for the past period were validated through a comparison with pollen data acquired from the Neotoma Pollen Database. The results revealed that southern areas of the Mediterranean Basin, particularly coastal regions, served as long-term refugia for Q. ilex, which was supported by fossil pollen data. Furthermore, the models suggest long-term refugia role for Anatolia and we argue that Anatolia may have served as a founding population for the species. Future climate scenarios indicated that Q. ilex distribution varied by region, with some areas experiencing range contractions and others range expands. This study provides significant insights into the vulnerability of the Q. ilex to future climate change in the Mediterranean ecosystem and highlights the crucial role of Anatolia in the species' historical distribution.

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In this paper, Allium sphaeronixum, a new species of the sect. Codonoprasum from Turkey, is described and illustrated. The new species is endemic to Central Anatolia, limited to the area of Nevsehir, where it grows on sandy or rocky soil at an elevation of 1000-1300 m a.s.l. Its morphology, phenology, karyology, leaf anatomy, seed testa micromorphology, chorology, and conservation status are examined in detail. The taxonomic relationships with the closest allied species, A. staticiforme and A. myrianthum, are also highlighted and discussed.

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Study of rapidly changing lakes and wetlands with remote sensing methods is critical for understanding the climatic and anthropogenic effects. However, most of the studies search for the change of water body in specific time periods. Although this approach reduces the workload related to downloading and processing a large number of satellite images in computer environment, it actually causes ignoring some critical changes that occurred out of specified time periods. On the other hand, this situation reduces the data volume and the limited data causes problems for the management of water resources.  The Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform allows the opportunity to rapidly and practically process large-scale temporal data without downloading. In this study, areal changes in Lake Aksehir in Türkiye, from 1985 to 2020, were calculated and mapped by the GEE as a case. In order to calculate the changes, the Landsat 5 TM, 7 ETM + and 8 OLI&TIRS images were harmonized and created annual mosaics. The Normalized difference water index (NDWI) and the automated water extraction index (AWEI) were applied to these annual mosaics. By this approach, the change in the water area representing a shrank by 87% on average (according to the calculations 91% for the NDWI and 83% for the AWEI) from 1985 to 2020 was assessed practically and rapidly on annual mosaics created from all images between the studied period, instead of assessment based on images taken on only one date in the chosen years as in previous studies. Such an approach will provide time and labour savings and provide more meaningful and uninterrupted data for studies about changes in other wetland areas.

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Ancient women, who survived childhood mortality, received good and adequate nutrition, did not work hard and escaped death during childbirth could live fairly long lives. Girls started procreation after marriage, usually at 15 years, had on average seven children, childbearing lasted 14-21 or more years and could happen at the age of 35 or more years. Breastfeeding, usually with contraceptive effect, continued for 2-3 years. Limited actual facts, written evidence and findings, but several hints, assumptions and logical conclusions from secular texts, sacred books, narratives and myths suggest the possibility of late childbearing in the Mediterranean and Near-Eastern ancient world, particularly for the Jews.

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Türkiye is considered an important evolutionary area for Chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar), since it is both a potential ancestral area and a diversification center for the species. Using 2 mitochondrial (Cty-b and D-loop) and 13 polymorphic microsatellite markers, we investigated the geographic genetic structure of A. chukar populations to determine how past climatic fluctuations and human activities have shaped the gene pool of this species in Türkiye. Our results indicate, firstly, that only A. chukar of the genus Alectoris is present in Türkiye (Anatolia and Thrace), with no natural or artificial gene flow from congenerics. Secondly, the geographic genetic structure of the species in Türkiye has been shaped by topographic heterogeneity, Pleistocene climatic fluctuations, and artificial transport by humans. Third, there appears to be three genetic clusters: Thracian, Eastern, and Western. Fourth, the post-LGM demographic expansion of the Eastern and Western populations has formed a hybrid zone in Central Anatolia (~8 kyBP). Fifth, the rate of China clade-B contamination in Türkiye is about 8% in mtDNA and about 12% in nuDNA, with the Southeastern Anatolian population having the highest contamination. Sixth, the Thracian population was the most genetically distinct, with the lowest genetic diversity and highest level of inbreeding and no China clad-B contamination. These results can contribute to the conservation regarding A. chukar populations, especially the Thracian population.

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This study aimed to evaluate the biochemical composition and biological activity of propolis samples from different regions of Türkiye to characterize and classify 24 Anatolian propolis samples according to their geographical origin. Chemometric techniques, namely, principal component analysis (PCA) and a hierarchical clustering algorithm (HCA), were applied for the first time to all data, including antioxidant capacity, individual phenolic constituents, and the antimicrobial activity of propolis to reveal the possible clustering of Anatolian propolis samples according to their geographical origin. As a result, the total phenolic content (TPC) of the propolis samples varied from 16.73 to 125.83 mg gallic acid equivalent per gram (GAE/g) sample, while the number of total flavonoids varied from 57.98 to 327.38 mg quercetin equivalent per gram (QE/g) sample. The identified constituents of propolis were phenolic/aromatic acids (chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and trans-cinnamic acid), phenolic aldehyde (vanillin), and flavonoids (pinocembrin, kaempferol, pinobanksin, and apigenin). This study has shown that the application of the PCA chemometric method to the biochemical composition and biological activity of propolis allows for the successful clustering of Anatolian propolis samples from different regions of Türkiye, except for samples from the Black Sea region.

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BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Southwestern Asia is a significant centre of biodiversity and a cradle of diversification for many plant groups, especially xerophytic elements. In contrast, little is known about the evolution and diversification of its hygrophytic flora. To fill this gap, we focus on Cardamine (Brassicaceae) species that grow in wetlands over a wide altitudinal range. We aimed to elucidate their evolution, assess the extent of presumed historical gene flow between species, and draw inferences about intraspecific structure. METHODS: We applied the phylogenomic Hyb-Seq approach, ecological niche analyses and multivariate morphometrics to a total of 85 Cardamine populations from the target region of Anatolia-Caucasus, usually treated as four to six species, and supplemented them with close relatives from Europe. KEY RESULTS: Five diploids are recognized in the focus area, three of which occur in regions adjacent to the Black and/or Caspian Sea (C. penzesii, C. tenera, C. lazica), one species widely distributed from the Caucasus to Lebanon and Iran (C. uliginosa), and one western Anatolian entity (provisionally C. cf. uliginosa). Phylogenomic data suggest recent speciation during the Pleistocene, likely driven by both geographic separation (allopatry) and ecological divergence. With the exception of a single hybrid (allotetraploid) speciation event proven for C. wiedemanniana, an endemic of southern Turkey, no significant traces of past or present interspecific gene flow were observed. Genetic variation within the studied species is spatially structured, suggesting reduced gene flow due to geographic and ecological barriers, but also glacial survival in different refugia. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the importance of the refugial regions of the Black and Caspian Seas for both harbouring and generating hygrophytic species diversity in Southwestern Asia. It also supports the significance of evolutionary links between Anatolia and the Balkan Peninsula. Reticulation and polyploidization played a minor evolutionary role here in contrast to the European relatives.

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In this study, it was aimed to determine the elemental composition of 47 propolis samples collected from different regions of Turkey by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. According to the results, the most abundant elements in propolis samples were the Ca, K, and Si with the mean values as 1556, 1383, and 731 mg/kg, respectively. Additionally, there were high degrees of positive and strong correlations of Al with S (0.925) and Fe (0.926) and Ca with Mg (0.970). According to cluster analysis results, the Aegean, Marmara, and Mediterranean regions showed strong similarities, whereas Southeastern Anatolia propolis samples were remarkably different. The elements considered as toxic for human and environmental health such as Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn, and W were at the trace amounts as < 10 mg/kg. When assuming 1 g raw propolis is consumed daily by a 60-kg adult, the analyzed propolis samples were not a source carrying the negative effects of these elements. However, they could be an indicator of environmental pollution.

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Climate change directly or indirectly affects the standard of living and quality of life for everyone, and so it has generated widespread interest and concern. Human awareness of global climate change, knowledge of the dimensions of the problem, and its consequences, are the first and most important steps towards a solution. However much the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement are seen as global efforts  to combat climate change, economic outcomes overshadow worries about climate change. Therefore, even if individual awareness seems small for such a large problem, it is as an effective first step. In this regard, a survey was conducted among 384 people living in the districts of Odunpazari and Tepebasi of Eskisehir province to determine their levels of awareness and knowledge of climate change. Survey participants were evaluated with regard to the district in which they lived and their gender, age group, education, membership in nongovernmental organizations (NGO), and income. Correlations between various determinant characteristics of the participants and their knowledge of climate change and readiness to pay more for goods produced without harming the environment are presented with χ2 analysis, percentages, and proportions. No statistically significant correlation was found between knowledge of climate change of the participants and district, age, or gender, but a significant correlation was found between education and income levels, and NGO membership. There was no correlation between being willing to pay more for goods produced without harming the environment and district. No correlation was found between NGO membership and readiness to pay more for goods produced without harming the environment. Both central districts are close to each other and are very similar in terms of lifestyle, income, and the practices of local administrations regarding climate change and environmental problems. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:382-394. © 2022 SETAC.

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Mountains play a key role in forming biodiversity by acting both as barriers to gene flow among populations and as corridors for the migration of populations adapted to the conditions prevailing at high elevations. The Anatolian and the Zagros Mountains are located in the Alpine-Himalayan belt. The formation of these mountains has influenced the distribution and isolation of the animal population since the late Cenozoic. Apathya is a genus of lacertid lizards distributed along these mountains with two species, i.e., Apathya cappadocica and Apathya yassujica. The taxonomy status of lineages within the genus is complicated. In this study, we tried to collect extensive samples from throughout the distribution range, especially within the Zagros Mountains. Also, we used five genetic markers, two mitochondrial (COI and Cyt b) and three nuclear (C-mos, NKTR, and MCIR), to resolve the phylogenetic relationships within the genus and explain several possible scenarios that shaped multiple genetic structures. The combination of results in the current study indicated eight well-support monophyletic lineages that separated to two main groups; group 1 including A. c. cappadocica, A. c. muhtari and A. c. wolteri, group 2 contains four regional clades Turkey, Urmia, Baneh and Ilam, and finally a single clade belonging to the species A. yassujica. In contrast to previous studies, Apathya cappadocica urmiana was divided into four clades and three clades were recognized within Iranian boundaries. The clades have dispersed from Anatolia to adjacent regions in the south of Anatolia and the western Zagros Mountains. According to the evidence generated in this study this clade is paraphyletic. Based on our assumption, orogeny activities and also climate fluctuations in Middle Miocene and Pleistocene have influenced to formation of lineages. In this study we revisit the taxonomy of the genus and demonstrate that the species diversity was substantially underestimated. Our findings suggest that each of the eight clades corresponding to subspecies and distinct geographic regions deserve to be promoted to species level.

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Background: The desid spider genus Paracedicus Fet, 1993 comprises seven species distributed in the western Palaearctic. From Turkey, only Paracedicusbaram Levy, 2007 has been recorded so far. New information: A new species, Paracedicusturcicus sp. nov., is described, based on specimens of both sexes collected in Eastern Anatolia. Detailed morphological description and photographs are provided. Additionally, a key to all species of the genus and a distribution map are provided.

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Darevskia is a particularly species-rich radiation of Palearctic rock lizards from the Caucasus region. Thanks to intense systematic and taxonomic research, the knowledge of species-level diversity within this genus has increased over the last quarter century. Here, we described a new species, Darevskia salihae sp. nov. from northeastern Turkey. The new taxon is differentiated from other nearby taxon by the low number of dorsal scales in the middle of the body, the shorter body length, and the absence of blue dots both on the lateral region above the forelimbs and on the margin of the ventral plates. In addition to their morphological differences, the new taxon is phylogenetically different from close groups. It is located in a separate subclade from the rudis-valentini-portschinskii subclade. This distinction is supported by both a high bootstrap value (100) and a high posterior probability value (1.00). These two subclades are separated from each other by a genetic distance of almost 4%. This separation is supported not only genetically and morphologically, but also geographically. Since the habitat of the new taxon is limited to a high mountain and a narrow valley, it does not provide an opportunity for a different Darevskia species to shelter because it creates geographical isolation. However, Darevskia parvula that live closest to the habitat of the new taxon live only at the habitat boundaries and do not enter areas where the new taxon is found. Therefore, it might be possible that while it was separated from the rudis-valentini-portschinskii group during the evolutionary transformation, it remained as a refuge and relict in a narrow area as a result of the collapse of the valleys and the partial uplift of the Kaçkar Mountains.

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Species belonging to the Aphaniidae, extant as well as fossil, are widel distributed along the late-period Tethys Sea coast lines. Among the mentioned genera, Anatolichthys is the genus that includes the 13 species. Anatolia has been a center in the diversity of Anatolichthys. The study is one of the first studies on the growth of the species. On this occasion, in study, it was aimed to examine the growth parameters of the Anatolichthys meridionalis Aksiray, 1948 population, which is an endemic and endangered species in Anatolia. The population structure of endemic species Anatolichthys meridionalis in Gökpinar Spring (Dalaman River basin-Turkey) (37.34° N, 29.44° E) was studied, using 108 fish in October 2019 and September 2020. The growth and reproductive characteristics of A. meridionalis were examined in the study. Males made up 42.59%, females 57.41% of the population. The length-weight relationship and Von Bertalanffy growth equation were W = 0.0112L 3.4638, R 2 = 0.9793, L t = 22.97 (1 - e-0.0304 (t+2.834)), respectively. Average growth performance and condition factor are calculated as 1.21 and 1.84, respectively. The gonadosomatic index was found in a maximum value (12.742%) in July and a minimum value (0.545%) in January. Reproduction time was found to be in between of July and September. The mean fecundity and mean egg diameter were found as 147.94 ± 28.03 number/individual/year and 1.35 ± 0.04 mm, respectively. The first maturation was found to be at age I. First maturity length (L m) was estimated at 23.95 mm for females and 22.04 mm for males. Although the study shows that the species has no problem in finding food and is a population with a wide age range, the presence of invasive species in the habitat, the habitat is directly affected by pollution from agricultural activities, water is drawn by pumps for agricultural activities, and it is narrowly distributed and endangered species, A. meridionalis and its habitat Gökpinar Spring should be protected.

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This study was conducted to determine the cultural practices of society regarding death and mourning. The sample of this qualitative study consisted of 31 adults who presented to a Family Health Center located in two different provincial centers in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey. The main themes of "optimistic thinking", "pessimistic thinking" and "acceptance" emerged from the statements of the participants regarding death. It was determined that participants took part in cultural practices such as preparing for a burial and providing comfort to individuals who were about to die. This study sheds light on the cultural and religious practices of Muslim participants in Turkey regarding death and mourning.

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