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Hemidactylus turcicus (Turkish Gecko)


Hemidactylus turcicus (Turkish Gecko)
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3993 W: 153 N: 4803] (12728)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-06
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Nikon Coolpix 5400
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Bayram's dedications, Cyprus Herpetofauna, Dedications at TrekNature Part Three, Geckos, Reptiles - Geckos 1 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-03-17 1:04
Viewed: 899
Favorites: 7 [view]
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hemidactylus turcicus turcicus (Turkish Gecko) [in Turk. Geniş Parmaklı Keler, Türk Keleri or “Süleymancık”; in Cyp Turk. “Mişaro”]

This beautiful gecko is widely distributed in the Mediterranean region of N Africa, Near East (Cyprus, Israel, Lebanon, Syria & Jordan), Asia Minor (Anatolia) and Europe. It is introduced also into N America. It is represented with two subspecies; H. turcicus turcicus which is known most of the parts of the known distribution area of the species and H. turcicus lavadeserticus known from the lava-desert parts of Syria and NE Jordan. The later one differs from the nominate subspecies in its slender habit (in the basalt desert), smaller body size, grey to black and yellowish-orange coloration, and pholidosis.

A medium-sized, relatively slender gecko with distinct dorsal tubercles. Adults reach a total length up to 9-10 cm. The head is triangular. The eyes are relatively big, with a vertical pupil and brownish iris (See one of my previous captures). All digits are clawed, with two rows of lamellae (See the WS version). The dorsal scales are granular, with 14-16 rows of prominent tubercles. Transversal rows of distinct tubercles are present also dorsally on the tail. The ventral scales are small and flat, however the medial subcaudal scales are enlarged. Males can be distinguished from females by having 4-8 preanal pores, enlarged postcloacal scales, swollen hemipenial pouches and larger head.

The coloration varies in shadows of light brown and grey, with darker spots above. The dorsal pattern consists of a more or less distinct combination of wide, dark and light transverse bands with intermixed darker spots [see for typical colour-pattern]. Many of the tubercles are whitish. The dorsal pattern of juveniles is more contrast, sometimes with conspicuous dark and light tail cross bars. As I mentioned almost my all gecko captures, this species can change color in accordance with the illumination state of environment as seen in specimen photographed here.

It lives under stones, in crevices of rocks, in houses and ruins. Feeds on insects and spiders. Largely nocturnal, but may be active by day. A female lays 2 eggs.

Found in all coastal and inner zones of Northern & Southern Cyprus with a vertical distribution to 1000 m, and it is represented with Hemidactylus turcicus turcicus.

In Cyprus (and I think in Italy), many old peoples, such as my mum Ulfet, are belived that the geckos bring “good luck” to the house where they live in. Therefore, today I would like dedicate this photo to my dear and unique mum Ulfet, first number sister Leyla and her family -whose are now living in Stoke-on-Trent and London, respectively- for their valuable contributions in all steps of my life, Gratitudes for everyting! And be sure that I am missing you at all. Cheers,.

Bayram

Ps. DEAR FRIENDS, PLEASE DO NOT GIVE “PNTS” TO THIS PHOTO SINCE IT IS A SPECIAL GIFT TO MY FAMILY. SAVE YOUR GREEN SMILES FOR OTHER VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO TN. Thanks for your kind understandings. Regards,

mariki, nkasot, bahadir, Jamesp, xTauruSx, zulfu, goldyrs, montivipera, jaycee, Ena, gerbilratz, Luis52, SelenE, joey, rousettus, kmr13777, marcellr, hester, cypturk has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To yasemin: Heya:)boreocypriensis 1 03-30 13:47
To kmr13777: Hello Kirtiboreocypriensis 1 03-19 17:17
To marcellr: Hello Marcellboreocypriensis 1 03-19 14:32
To amcolli: Ciao Annaboreocypriensis 1 03-18 13:51
To SelenE: Teşekkürlerboreocypriensis 1 03-18 13:49
To Luis52: Hello Luisboreocypriensis 1 03-18 13:47
To gracious: Hello Tonyboreocypriensis 1 03-17 20:15
To Silvio2006: Ciao Silvioboreocypriensis 1 03-17 14:59
To gerbilratz: Hello my dear Friend Howardboreocypriensis 1 03-17 14:19
To SkyF: Hello Skyboreocypriensis 1 03-17 14:18
To vanderschelden: Hello my dear Friend Annickboreocypriensis 1 03-17 14:17
To matatur: Selam Hocamboreocypriensis 1 03-17 14:16
To fragman: Shalom Oriboreocypriensis 1 03-17 14:15
To jaycee: Hello my dear Friend Janeboreocypriensis 1 03-17 14:14
To Gert-Paassen: Hello Gertboreocypriensis 1 03-17 06:43
To Ena: Hello Enaboreocypriensis 2 03-17 06:37
To IulianGherghel: Hello Iulianboreocypriensis 1 03-17 06:32
To montivipera: Sağolboreocypriensis 1 03-17 03:39
To goldyrs: Hi Bro Goldyboreocypriensis 1 03-17 03:21
To meyerd: Hello Dietrichboreocypriensis 1 03-17 03:15
To zulfu: Teşekkürboreocypriensis 1 03-17 03:08
To joey: Thanks Joeboreocypriensis 2 03-17 03:06
To uleko: Hello Ullaboreocypriensis 1 03-17 02:24
To xTauruSx: Teşekkürboreocypriensis 1 03-17 02:11
To mariki: Hello Marieboreocypriensis 3 03-17 02:06
To bahadir: Teşekkürboreocypriensis 1 03-17 01:51
To nkasot: Sağolboreocypriensis 1 03-17 01:50
To Jamesp: Hello Jamesboreocypriensis 1 03-17 01:50
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • mariki Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 989 W: 65 N: 2016] (8413)
  • [2008-03-17 1:30]
  • [3] [+]

Hello Bayram,

Very nice composition. Good sharpness and very nice natural colours.
Lovely dedication to your family.
Cheers,
Mariki

  •      
  • nkasot Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 403 W: 0 N: 38] (189)
  • [2008-03-17 1:36]
  • [3] [+]

Fotoğraf nefis hocam. Renkler harika. Uyumu çok güzel göstermişsiniz. Ayrıca ananelerimize değinmeniz ve çok değerli ailenize dedike etmeniz de çok hoş. Elinize sağlık. Teşekkürler.
Nazım

  •      
  • bahadir Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 502 W: 0 N: 47] (350)
  • [2008-03-17 1:38]
  • [3] [+]

Hocam resim de hediye ediş tarzınız da çok güzel. Elinize sağlık.
Bahadır

  •      
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1252 W: 0 N: 4842] (14380)
  • [2008-03-17 1:40]
  • [3] [+]

Hi Bayram

This is a beautiful composition - the sinuous form is captured brilliantly and in lovely detail- you have also obtained excellent exposure on the skin, showing the subtle tones really well.

A really nice dedication - I will respect your wishes, but would have loved to give this points - so it goes into my favourites!

James

Have you ever been to Stoke-on-Trent?

  •      
  • xTauruSx Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 416 W: 0 N: 77] (343)
  • [2008-03-17 2:10]
  • [2] [+]

Nefis bir poz hocam. Işıklandırma çok iyi, gerçekten bu renkleri bu zeminle yakalayabilmek ayrı bir olay. Elinize sağlık. Aileniz için de güzel bir hediye olmuş. Elinize sağlık. Dileğinize uyuyor ve puanlamıyorum. Selamlar.

  •      
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2468 W: 168 N: 7464] (23588)
  • [2008-03-17 2:19]
  • [2] [+]

Hello Bayram,
What a beautiful little Gecko in pale colours. Excellent sharpness and I like its pose. It stands out very nicely against the bark. I hope it does bring luck to all of your family!
TFS and kind regards, Ulla

  •      
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 527 W: 0 N: 95] (585)
  • [2008-03-17 3:06]
  • [+]

Hocam ne kadar ince düşünen, mütevazı bir insan olduğunuzu bir kez daha görüyoruz. Değerli ailenize çok anlamlı bir hediye etmişsiniz. Umarım herzaman aileniz için en güzeller gerçekleşir. Fotoğraf her zmanki gibi bilimsel manada da çok anlamlı. Elinize sağlık. Teşekkürler.
Mehmet

Hi Bayram,
a beautiful composition, an interesting animal, unusual colours. And a very nice dedication!
Best regards
Dietrich

  •      
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1696 W: 242 N: 5596] (19883)
  • [2008-03-17 3:21]
  • [+]

What a lovely dedication to your family! :-)
And what a superb image as well!
The diagonal composition is very good as it fills the frame with the lizard.
Razor sharp with excellent detail.
Nice lighting as well.
Very good work Bayram!
Thanks,
Joe

Çok iyi bir isik ve netlikle, türün birçok özelligini sergileyen güzel bir fotograf, elinize saglik. Aileniz için de anlamli; ve hos bir hediye olmus.

Nasit

  •      
  • goldyrs Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 573 W: 55 N: 1253] (4704)
  • [2008-03-17 3:52]
  • [+]

Bro!Wassup!
Hope you had a nice weekend!This gecko looks good!And you've captured it very well!
Thanks!
Goldy

  •      
  • Ena Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 359 W: 61 N: 570] (2341)
  • [2008-03-17 6:16]
  • [+]

Selam Bayram,
I'll save a smiley for somebody else!
I've marked this pic, beause on the Adriatic coast we have this species!
Regards
Ena

Hy Bayram,
Very beautiful photo of this splendid species of gecko.
Thank you because sharing with us you photos of this splendid and interesant species of animals.
Best regards, your friend from Romania,
Iulian

Hello Bayram,

what a cookie monster!
Good of sharpness with beautiful colors.
Beutiful glowing specie.

regards Gert

Hi Bayram,

A wonderful good-luck gecko for your family. I know how difficult it is for one's loved ones to be so far away. I love the way this gecko is posing on the tree. The bark makes a perfect background. Wonderful shot as always - and as always, I love the feet.

Jane

nice and sharp (as always), greetings Ori

  •      
  • matatur Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 694 W: 45 N: 821] (2663)
  • [2008-03-17 12:23]
  • [+]

Bu dorsal çekimde Türk Gekosu'nun tüm sempatikliğini yansıtabilmişsin Bayram, yanlız bunun değil, tüm doğa harikalarının izleyenlere "iyi şans" getirmesi çok doğal!
Mehmet

Hello Bayram,
Well composed. I like the reversed S.
TFS
Annick

  •      
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2390 W: 194 N: 1991] (8113)
  • [2008-03-17 13:00]
  • [+]

Hello Bayram,
strange looking species along with interesting notes.
Very well captured, the tree is a excellent BG to show off the details on this Gecko.
POV, sharpness and presentation are very nice.
TFS..Sky

I like this Gecko..it looks almost transparent...great picture...also, I will respect your wish for no "pnts" ...kind regards to you and your family...h

  •      
  • gracious Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1891 W: 0 N: 2960] (12320)
  • [2008-03-17 18:20]
  • [+]

Merhaba Bayram,
Selam!!
A very warm dedication to your mom!
The Gecko have a very beautiful colouration indeed
the image is sharp with good details
many thanks
greeting
tony

  •      
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1022 W: 5 N: 2802] (10144)
  • [2008-03-17 20:38]
  • [+]

Hola Bayram.
Una foto de exelente nitidez y claridad. La iluminacion de alto nivel. La pose sobre el tronco del arbol es peculiar en esta especie.
I hope he brings "Good Luck" to Your family.
Your friend
Luis52.

Merhaba Bayram Bey,
En sevdigim hayvanlardan biridir :o) Cok sirin ve guzel duruyor. Elinize saglik
Selamlar

Hi Bayram, lovely gift to your family, splendid gecko with wonderful details and excellent sharpness, perfect focus and elegant pose, very well done, ciao Silvio

thank you bayram for another lovely geko , this one looks like a rainbow!
as you cdon' t wish to have points i willnot, but you deserve them anyway!!
ciao
anna

Nefis bir çekim. Türk keleri ancak bu kadar güzel görüntülenebilirdi sanırım. İyi olmuş Hoca. Eline sağlık.

Hi Bayram,
Excellent shot and a superb gesture towards yur mum and the family.

God bless

Kirti

Ciao caro Bayram,
i miei più sinceri complimenti non solo per la foto, splendida come sempre, ma anche per la bella dedica alla tua famiglia.
Hemidactylus turcicus è da sempre la mia specie preferita fra i gechi.
Grazie di condividere con noi questa splendida immagine.
Ciao,
Marcello

P.S.: Grazie anche per avere inserito fra le tue preferite la mia foto delle cicindele.

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1471 W: 18 N: 2981] (10944)
  • [2008-03-20 14:11]

Hi Bayram

Perfectly framed and I love the contrast between textures. The dark BG also helps to show off the subtle colours on the lizard. Beautiful work as ever

TFS

Karan

Hello Bayram my dear brother.Because there is hardly any unusual wildlife in London I have decided to send you this image of Flowers as they also play a part in nature.I hope you enjoy the flowers :).
I wish you all the success in your research.
Good luck,My family send many regards we all send our love,

Leyla Ahmet
London

Selam dayicm ben bu resmi daha once kacirmisim... cok net ve harika olmus.. Ustelik ailemize hediye ettin, tesekkurler..Seninle gurur duyuyoruz..sevgiler saygilar, Merih

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