Ablepharus budaki (Budak's Skink)

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Ablepharus budaki (Budak's Skink)
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3337 W: 139 N: 3764] (9894)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 1995-03
Categories: Reptiles
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Cyprus Herpetofauna, RARE or SIGNIFICANT contributions to TN 3, Reptiles - Skinks 1, Syrian Herpetofauna, Turkish Herpetofauna [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-01-23 0:40
Viewed: 702
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Ablepharus budaki GÖÇMEN et al., 1996 (Budak’s Snake-eyed Skink)

Budak’s Snake-eyed Skink were recently described, stemming from progressively increasing works on the herpetofauna of Cyprus. For a long time the Ablepharus populations of the Island were accepted as, Ablepharus kitaibelii kitaibelii, the race of adjacent mainland, until we pointed to the similarities of this form to A. k. chernovi (now A. chernovi) from Turkey & Armenia, and named it as A. k. budaki. Later, some authors revised the genus Ablepharus within its distribution area and concluded that the form from Cyprus is a distinct species, its relatives inhabiting Israel, Syria and Turkey, and raised it to species level as A. budaki. The taxonomic status at species level was also confirmed by geneticaly.
A slim, glossy skink with a total length up to 6-12 cm. Rostral does not contact external nares. Nasal plate complete, not split; the ear opening is so evidently big (0.4-0.5 mm diameter) that, it can be seen with the naked eye and it is situated partially at the neck. The number of vertical rows of scales between the masseteric and the ear opening changes 3-4 (usually 3); Fused eyelids form a transparent capsule over the eye. No row of small scales forming a ring around the eye. 18-21 (average 20) rows of smooth, similar body scales around mid-trunk. The dorsum is bronze, dark brown or grayish green; the scales may be rimmed in golden and overlied with black lines. The flanks usually with a wide dark brown band (Temporal Band): below this, a dirty white subtemporal band extends up to the ear opening (in Cyprus specimens) or beyond the ear opening towards the flanks (in Turkey specimens) from the rostral plate. The ventral side of the body is blackish-bluish gray.
During the breeding period, particularly in males and juveniles the venter is coloured from light orange to dark red: usually only the trunk venter or all of the ventral side, except the gular region, or only under the tail is coloured. In juveniles this colouration gradually increases and becomes brighter under and over the tail from the vent through its tip.
The species lives in open spaces with short bushy plants and maquis or sparse trees; hides under stones and leaves. Feeds on small insects and molluscs. Not a swift skink with very short limbs, but can quickly disappear in undergrowth with its slim and slippery body. A female lays 2-5 eggs.
Its range includes Cyprus, Turkey, Lebanon and Israel; with a vertical distribution to 2000 m.
In Cyprus, the eastern Mediterranean region ofTurkey, Lebanon and Israel, it is represented with the nominate subspecies, A. budaki budaki, whereas in the western Mediterranean region of Turkey the subspecies of A. budaki anatolicus is present.
The specimen photographed is the type specimen (holotype) of the species. To read the original description and additional details please visit my web site. The name of species has been dedicated to one of the respected Turkish herpetologist, Prof. Dr. Abidin BUDAK.

P.S. Photo scanned from a diapositive.
haraprasan, zulfu, nkasot, rousettus, Argus, cicindela, matatur, spalaxtr, bahadir, xTauruSx, montivipera, yasemin, cypturk has marked this note useful
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To xTauruSx: Slmboreocypriensis 1 01-30 15:46
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To spalaxtr: Slmboreocypriensis 1 01-24 09:09
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To matatur: helloboreocypriensis 2 01-23 13:51
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Bayram,
A beautiful capture of this skink. Well composed with excellent details and very good DOF showing all the reptile as a whole. Thanks a lot for sharing.

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 441 W: 0 N: 68] (472)
  • [2008-01-23 2:44]
  • [2] [+]

Hocam Değerli bir numuneyi, bir holotipi buraya koyarak önemli bir katkı sağladığınızı düşünüyorum.Ayrıca Değerli Hocamız Prof. Budak'a atıfınız bu işe ayrı bir keyif katıyor. Saygılarımla, Memo

  • Great 
  • Bufo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 436 W: 72 N: 1007] (4233)
  • [2008-01-23 4:14]
  • [+]

Hi Bayram,
these days I am quite busy at work, so there's not enough time to peek into the gallery. I saw that you've uploaded a few very nice pictures. This skink has, compared to other skinks, some well developed legs. Nice metallic colour. The size of the skink is small, wonderful.
Thanks for sharing this nice picture!
Regards, JAcob

  • Great 
  • nkasot Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 354 W: 0 N: 38] (183)
  • [2008-01-23 4:52]
  • [2] [+]

Hocam fotoğraf diadan aktarma olmasına rağmen, sanki digitalden çıkma. Bir Kıbrıs'lı olarak bu taksonu ülkemize kazandırdığınız için ayrıca teşekkür ediyor, saygılarımı sunuyorum. Nazo

bir yıla yakındır, TNdeyim ve sanırım ilk kez bir fotoğrafçının kendi tanımladığı türü tanıttıgını görüyorum. tebrik ediyorum. Turun adı, ikimizin de hocası olan aynı zamanda doktora ve master danışmanlığı yapan değerli bir bilimadamamızın oluşundan ayrıca memnunum. eline sağlık, selamlar.
not: daha once de demistim, linkini verdigin web sayfasını birlikte duzenlersek, guzel bir is yapmis oluruz.

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2413 W: 132 N: 6649] (20861)
  • [2008-01-23 8:09]
  • [+]

Hello Bayram,
Great that you joined this site! You are feeding us with excellent herpetological images and information and I for one thank you for that.
This is a fine sharp capture of this small skink, A. budaki, nicely scanned and composed on an old fig leaf to show us the general features.
Thanks, Bayram!
Best wishes, Ivan

Ho Bayram,
Lo and behold, now we can see that famous holotype in TN. But I've seen the original slide, I'm afraid a slight resolution loss creeped in during the scanning procedure. Still, a very effective capture my friend, hope Dr. Budak sees this page.
Mehmet

Hi Bayram!
Maybe the reptile is not in the focus in 100% but I really like this unique and interesting species. My best congratulation because of discovering a new species!!! This is not a common thing, especially in the Old World!!!
I really hope to see some more so interesting presentation from you!
Friendly yours,
Radomir

Selamlar Bayram
Fotoğraflarını biraz inceleme fırsatım oldu, çok güzel bir seri yapıyorsun..ellerine sağlık
PS: Bir dönem yoğun olarak TL'e foto yüklüyordum belki oradan hatırlamışsındır.
Selam ve saygılar
Deniz

Beyram tekrar merhaba,
Benim çok sevdiğim kertenkelelerden birisi. Bana hep normal 4 ayaklı kertenkeler ile Anguis fragilis arasında kalmış bir tür gibi gelir. Ayakları öyle küçülmüşki hayvan sanırım daha çok yılanvari hareket ediyordur.
Paylaşımın için teşekkürler,
Selamlar,
Mustafa

ellerinize saglik güzel bir paylasım olmus...

İşte bu! kertenkelelerin güzeli. Ellerinize sağlık. Selamlar.
Deniz

Selam Hocam,
Bilimsel olarak çok önemli bir fotoğrafı (bir holotipi) paylaşmanız çok güzel bir davranış. Bilginin, bu bilgiyi üretenlerde kalmaması gerektiğini çok güzel vurguluyorsunuz eklediğiniz fotoğraflar ve verdiğiniz bilgilerle. Ayrıca adını verdiğiniz türü değerli hocamız Prof. Dr. Abidin BUDAK'a armağan etmeniz de çok büyük bir incelik.
Paylaşım için teşekkürler.
Saygılar
Naşit

:) bu biciri cok iyi hatirliyorum. Kibris'ta heryer dolu. Eline saglik kardesim.
Leyla

Bak bunu bizim bahcede cok gorurdum. yilancik gibi hareket eder. bacciklari kisa diye zannedersam. cok guzel . eline saglik. Merih

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