<< Previous Next >>

Phoenicolacerta troodica - for IVAN


Phoenicolacerta troodica - for IVAN
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: 2005-07
Categories: Reptiles
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Cyprus Herpetofauna, Lizards - Lagartos - Lézards, RARE or SIGNIFICANT contributions to TN 3, Dedications at TrekNature Part Three, Reptiles - Lizards, Chuckwallas, Agamas & Tegus 3, Bayram's dedications [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-02-23 2:42
Viewed: 733
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 46
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Phoenicolacerta troodica (Troodos/Cyprus Lizard)

This species is known only from Cyprus Island as an endemic species with a vertical distribution to 1200 m. (Troodos Mountain, Southern Cyprus). However, it is a coastal species in Northern Cyprus.

A diurnal active lizard with a total length around 12-20 cm. Rostral plate in contact with external nares; 2 postnasal plates; 5 supralabial plates in front of subocular plate; supraciliary granules above the eye usually in a complete row (97%); a large masseteric scale (indeed plate) in temporal region; 51-68 rows of indistinct keeled dorsal scales at mid-trunk; ventral plates in 6 longitudinal rows; femoral pores between 19-24. In median gular region, scale numbers are 25 in average. The dorsum is gray, greenish-brown with dark spots or maculations. Flanks with a longitudinal dark stripe (temporal band), above which greenish-white round spots are present. Parallel subtemporal bands extend below the temporal bands down to the base of hind legs at least, or to the mid level of the tail. The venter is yellowish-white or light green, lateral parts with blue spots. Chin, throat and venter brick red in breeding season.

It inhabits sandy slopes, arid and vegetated areas, cultivated fields, loose garden walls, rocky and stony damp places; sometimes arboreal. Feeds on insects. A female lays 2-6 eggs.

Closely related species, Phoenicolacerta laevis (Syrian or Hatay Lizard) is distributed in Turkey, Syria, Lebanon and Israel. In both the lateral colour pattern of the body and the fairly dark-coloured window of large scales in the lower eyelid, the Cyprus specimens closely resemble P. kulzeri (Kulzer’s Rock Lizard or Petra Lizard) known from Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Jordan. However, they are also similar to Anatolian P. laevis specimens in general colouration, for example a strong orange-red colour on the ventral side during breeding season. P. troodica also differs from P. kulzeri in ventral colouration and in some pholidosis characteristics, e.g., absent or small-sized massetericum in temporal region. Habitats of the Petra Lizard and Troodos Lizard are different from each other. While the Petra Lizard is an arid form, the Cyprus form likes a relatively moist habitat, which is similar to the habitat of Hatay Lizard. Phoenicolacerta troodica differs from P. laevis in the following morphological characteristics: in P. laevis, median gularia (gular scale numbers in a medial longitudinal row) number is less (average 20), gular scales larger; the subtemporal “lines” below the temporal bands extend down to the mid-trunk level and also, supraciliary granules usually not in a complete row. Regarding blood-serum proteins, we found qualitative differences in both albumin and globulin proteins between the Hatay and Cyprus Lizard, which confirmed that the Cyprus and Hatay Lizard populations are clearly distinct species. Actually the Cyprus Lizard is accepted as P. troodica rather than the subspecies of P. laevis as previously suggested by us (Budak & Göçmen, 1995).

A general view & perfect capture of a female belonging to this species was given in TN by our friend, Ivan Kruys (Argus) from Paphos, Southern Cyprus. Thus, utilizing this opportunity to thank, I dedicate this photo to my dear friend IVAN for his valuable contribution.

The male specimen on the tree trunk was photographed in the garden of our house (before 1974) from Çanakkale (=Kantou), Leymosun (=Limassol) –where I was born- when I visit the Southern Cyprus in July 2005.

The information in here was basically quoted from our joint book with Prof. Atatur:
Atatür, M. K and Göçmen, B. (2001). Amphibians and Reptiles of Northern Cyprus (1st Edition), Ege Üniversitesi, Fen Fakültesi Kitaplar Serisi, No. 170, Ege Üniversitesi Basimevi, Bornova-Izmir, 63 pp."(ISBN 975-483-486-5)[A PDF-Printable Version is present in my web site].
Jamesp, cataclysta, inked, Argus, zulfu, bahadir, matatur, nkasot, xTauruSx, gerbilratz, vanderschelden, jaycee, mariki, degani, rousettus, uleko, Adanac, haraprasan, yasemin, montivipera, cypturk has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To haraprasan: Hello Haraprasanboreocypriensis 1 02-25 22:55
To Adanac: Hi Rickboreocypriensis 1 02-25 17:18
To uleko: Thanksboreocypriensis 1 02-24 04:39
To rousettus: :)boreocypriensis 1 02-24 03:35
To degani: Hello Francoboreocypriensis 1 02-24 00:53
To cako: selam"boreocypriensis 1 02-23 11:48
To mariki: hello Marikiboreocypriensis 1 02-23 08:36
To jaycee: Hello Janeboreocypriensis 1 02-23 08:10
To vanderschelden: hello Annickboreocypriensis 2 02-23 07:38
To gerbilratz: Hello Howardboreocypriensis 1 02-23 05:27
To xTauruSx: Sağol Denizboreocypriensis 1 02-23 05:13
To nkasot: Sağol Nazımboreocypriensis 1 02-23 05:12
To matatur: Selam Hocamboreocypriensis 1 02-23 05:12
To bahadir: Teşekkürboreocypriensis 1 02-23 04:01
To zulfu: sağolboreocypriensis 1 02-23 04:00
To Argus: Hello Ivanboreocypriensis 1 02-23 03:42
To inked: hello Gethinboreocypriensis 1 02-23 03:40
To cataclysta: Hello Krzysztofboreocypriensis 1 02-23 03:39
To Jamesp: Hello Jamesboreocypriensis 1 02-23 03:39
To Silvio2006: Hello Silvioboreocypriensis 1 02-23 02:55
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Hi Bayram, my today neighbour, great dedication to our friend Ivan, splendid lizard, wonderful details and good colors, excellent sharpness, very well done, have a great week end, ciao Silvio

Hi Bayram

Unusual and highly effective POV with excellent detail and exposure.

James

Hi Bayram
Another interesting species in your collection. I have seen these species only in a field guide. POV is not perfect but I know how fast they are ;_)As always veery good informative note.
TFS
Krzysztof

  • Great 
  • inked Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 125 W: 0 N: 220] (654)
  • [2008-02-23 3:36]
  • [+]

hi Bayram,
another fine reptile shot from you. interesting looking little guy, almost looks between a skink and a monitor.. i really like those blue spots! nicely captured.. well done and tfs
Gethin

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2613 W: 133 N: 7504] (23403)
  • [2008-02-23 3:38]
  • [+]

Thanks Bayram!
Superb capture of the male Troodos Lizard with a nice sharp view of the side showing the row of blue spots. Great pose, POV and composition.
Very nice of you to dedicate this one to me. I'm taking this in to my favorites!
Best wishes, my friend,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 527 W: 0 N: 95] (585)
  • [2008-02-23 3:55]
  • [3] [+]

Selam Hocam. Kıbrıs'ta bu hayvanlar için adım atmadık yer bırakmamışsınız valla! Doğduğunuz yere bile gidip orda dahi çalışmışsınız. Mükemmel bir görüntü olmuş. Tipik Kiremit kahvesi ventral taraf ve kenarlarda yer alan mavi lekeler ile beyaz subtemporal bant çok net ve ayrı bir güzellik katmışlar çekiminize. Elinize sağlık.
Mehmet

Mehmet Abi'ye katılıyorum hocam. Nefis bir görüntü. Fotoda nefis bir de derinlik sözkonusu. Elinize sağlık.
Bahadır

A rare and beautiful capture in the field Bayram, and a very suitable dedication to our joint friend Ivan Kruys, he'll love this, I'm sure. Those blue spots on the flanks couldn't be better demonstrated, I think.
Cheers,
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • nkasot Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 403 W: 0 N: 38] (189)
  • [2008-02-23 5:04]
  • [2] [+]

Selam Hocam yine nefis bir kıbrıs biyolojik değeri. Çok nefis bir kare olmuş. Hayvanın doğal yaşam tarzı da bu kare ile sabitlenmiş oldu. Elinize sağlık.
Nazım

Hocam valla bir sunum bu kadar mükemmel olabilir. Tüm teşhis karakterlerini doğal ortamıyla beraber tek fotoğrafta sunmak öyle kolay olmasa gerek. Elinize sağlık. Teşekkürler.
Deniz

Lovely POV, great DOF and good clean colours make this a very good image, wonderful notes as well.TFS and best regards....h

Beautiful Cyprus lizard you photographed here, Bayram
Isn't it possible to introduce it in other places or is this a 'sin'?
Well done
TFS
Annick

Hi Bayram,

I was sure Ivan would love this and apparently he did. A wonderful lizard in a wonderful diagonal position to show him off very well. The colors are wonderful - I love the blue markings with the silver and brown. His eye and mouth seem to be smiling. Wonderful details, as always.

Jane

  • Great 
  • cako Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 389 W: 0 N: 371] (1986)
  • [2008-02-23 10:16]
  • [+]

Renkleri netliği ve duruşu ile harika olmuş ellerinizeza sağlık.

hi Bayram,
you have shot this little animal in a special moment also for our culture, great picture and great note, bravo
ciao
franco

Hello Bayram,

Very nice picture of this lizard. For the composition, I would have let more space in front of the animal. Excellent sharpness and very nice colours.
Cheers,
Mariki

Vazgeçtim zaten gitmekten:) bugünden yazıyorum yorumu:)
keskin detayları bu da çok güzel bir makro. Yaşama alışkınlığı da pek ilginç, KKTC de kıyıda, diğer tarafta yukarıda. bunu yeni öğrenmiş oldum.
mavi benekleri de pek hoş görünüyor. eline sağlık, selamlar.
to be continue tomorrow night

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2468 W: 168 N: 7464] (23588)
  • [2008-02-24 4:27]
  • [+]

Hello Bayram,
Very interesting to see the beautiful pattern and colours of this male in a close-up. Excellent capture from a low POV and a fine composition too.
Many thanks, Ulla

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1049 W: 1 N: 4160] (13980)
  • [2008-02-25 16:20]
  • [+]

Hello Bayram,
Wonderful image very great details, point of view, composition and colors. Great shot Bayram, I love the line of blue dots on its abdomen.
Rick

Hi Bayram,
A nice dedication for Ivan. A beautifully captured Cyprus lizard. Very well composed with beautiful details. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Bu Kibrisli:) bir baska guzel bu. Agacin govdesinde de hos durmus. Karnindaki mavi pullar guzel gorunur. Tesekkurler.
Leyla

Merhaba Hocam,
Kıbrıs'ın endemik kertenkelesinin doğal ortamında harika bir karesini yakalamışsınız. Alan derinliği çok hoşuma gitti, elinize sağlık.
Saygılar
Naşit

Great action shot uncle! Great detail in the scales and good sharpness. tfs. regards... cypturk

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF