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*FeMale* Valentin’s Rock Lizard #1


*FeMale* Valentin’s Rock Lizard #1
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3404 W: 148 N: 4173] (10984)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-05-18
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Olympus C-5060WZ
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Turkish Herpetofauna, Reptiles - Lizards, Chuckwallas, Agamas & Tegus 3, RARE or SIGNIFICANT contributions to TN 3 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-05-30 0:26
Viewed: 651
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 58
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Darevskia valentini (Valentin’s Rock Lizard) [in Turk. Valentin Kaya Kertenkelesi] (A Female) #1

Dear Friends, thanks for all kind critiques/comments on my previous posting Gagea taurica (Greenish Yellow Star-of-Bethlehem).

As you remembered, approx. a week ago, I have uploaded totally six captures (three of these being in Workshops) of two “handsome male” from Bolkar Mt.
[a general appearance, his portrait, usual and unusual –bipedal- postures (BP1, BP2 & BP3) on a rock) to show the typical male pattern, its head scallation and its usual and unusual –bipedal- postures].

Here's two additional shots of the Valentine Rock Lizard but different sex, “FEMALE” to show its colour-pattern and her escaping behaviour [in WS].

Hoping that you like these shots! Also I wish “a nice weekend to my all TN friends!”

Cheers,

Bayram

*****************************

Darevskia (Eastern Rock Lizards, formerly Lacerta saxicola komplex) genus includes lizards possessing the two following features found only in a minority of other lacertid lizards: 27–28 presacral vertebrae in males, one postnasal scale. Other more widely distributed features include: supraocular osteoderms (bony plates) fenestrated or intact in adults, usually seven premaxillary teeth, inscriptional ribs present in some species, tail often brightly coloured in hatchlings, hemipenial microornamentation of crown-shaped tubercles. A few species of Darevskia are parthenogenetic [from the Greek παρθένος parthenos, "virgin", + γένεσις genesis, "creation") is an asexual form of reproduction found in females where growth and development of embryos occurs without fertilization by males], and males of some bite the thigh of the female during copulation. Approx. 27 species was described belonging to this genus, and of these aprrox. 17 species are distributed in Anatolia. The general distribution of the genus representatives is restricted to Caucasus region, Crimea and N and E Turkey, eastwards to Alborz mountains of Iran and to Kopet Dagh on Iran-Turkmenistan border; one species (D. praticola- Meadow Lizard) reaching the eastern Balkan peninsula.

Adults up to about 50–85 mm from snout to vent (total lenght up to 23 cm); adult males usually larger than females, but not in D. valentini; head and body markedly depressed. Rostral plate usually separated from frontonasal scale but sometimes in contact (for example in parthenogenetic species D. unisexualis found in Turkey –Erzurum, Ardahan & Ağrı- and adjacent Georgia); row of supraciliary granules usually complete; outer edge of parietal scale reaching lateral border of parietal table posteriorly. One postnasal scale; typically no contact between supranasal and anterior loreal scales above nostril (present in D. derjugini known from Turkey -Ardahan, Artvin, Trabzon, Rize- Georgia and W Azerbaijan); usually four upper labial scales in front of subocular plate; first upper temporal scale large in most species; masseteric scale (larger scale which is located in temporal region) present. Dorsal body scales small and often smooth (but keeled in some species including D. praticola), about 35–70 in a transverse row at mid-body [This number is 41-59 in D. valentini]. Collar smooth or serrated; six longitudinal rows of ventral scales; preanal scale moderate or large, bordered by a single semicircle of smaller scales, the most anterior one or two of which sometimes enlarged; scales under toes smooth or tubercular; whorls of tail scales alternately longer and shorter.

Little sexual dimorphism in colouring is seen except D. valentini. Basic dorsal pattern consisting of longitudinal streaks or bands, and flanks may be reticulated. Ground colour brown, grey or green. Blue occelli often present in shoulder region. Belly often brightly coloured, and may be yellow, orange or red (as in D. parvula and D. valentini) or greenish-yellow or green (as in D. raddei, D. rudis, D. caucasica, D. derjugini and D. praticola); bright ventral colour usually reduced or absent in parthenogenetic populations; throat colour may be differentiated from belly; dark ventral spotting usually absent; blue spots generally present on outer row of ventral scales; juveniles often with brightly coloured, greenish or bluish tails. In D. valentini females there is generally smooth dorsal pattern without longitudinal streaks or bands and also the number of the blue ocelli in shoulder region is lower than males (1-2 instead of 3-5). The coloration of the venter shows subspecific variation. It is represented with two subspecies in Turkey: The nominate race (D. v. valentini which is distributed in Artvin, Ardahan, Kars, Iğdır and Van provinces) has a orange venter during the breeding season, however this is yellow in the other known subspecies, D. v. lantzicyreni. The later subspecies is found in C and E Anatolia from Niğde to Erzurum in some isolated populations restricted with vertical distributions between 1800-3000 m. In Bolkar Mt., they can be seen at the elavations between 2250-3000 asl. Many species of the genus live mainly on rock exposures and use crevices as refuges, but D. chlorogaster- known from Azerbaijan & Iran- is often associated with fallen and standing timber, while D. derjugini, D. clarkorum and D. praticola are largely ground-dwelling, often in and around herbaceous vegetation; some species are exclusively montane as is D. valentini [See my previous landscape shots -PH1 & PH2- to see the habitat of the species].

Some species of Darevskia are parthenogenetic and result from hybridisation between sexual species. These are D. armeniaca, D. bendimahiensis, D. dahli, D. rostombekowi, D. sapphirina, D. unisexualis and D. uzzelli, a number of which are made up of more than one clone. Males of the majority of species bite only flank of females during copulation, others bite both the flank and the thigh, or just the thigh alone. Clutches usually consisting of about 2–8 eggs.

References:

1. Göçmen, B. (Unpub. results). The results of herpetological trips.
2. Budak, A. & Göçmen, B. (2005). Herpetology. Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi Kitaplar Serisi, No. 194, Ege Üniversitesi Basimevi, Bornova-Izmir, 226 pp. [2nd Edition, 2008].
3. Baran, I. & Atatür, M. K. (1998). Turkish Herpetofauna (Amphibians & Reptiles). Ministry of Environment, Ankara. 214 pp.
4. Arnold, N.E. (1978). A Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Britain and Europe.Collins, London, UK, 288 pp.
5. Arnold, E. N., Arribas, O. & Carranza, S. 2007. Systematics of the Palaearctic and Oriental lizard tribe Lacertini (Squamata Lacertidae Lacertinae), with descriptions of eight new genera. Zootaxa 1430: 1-86.
yasemin, zulfu, bahadir, maurydv, nkasot, nikosrio, mariki, Gert-Paassen, xTauruSx, eng55, vanderschelden, jaycee, gracious, nglen, goldyrs, Silvio2006, jpdenk, Luis52, montivipera, SelenE, cypturk has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Bayram.nice action shots, caught in a nice pose to show the colour-pattern features of a female valentin's lizard.I think it is very hard to photograph in the wild.Many thanks for sharing this beauty my brother.Leyla

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 473 W: 0 N: 70] (491)
  • [2008-05-30 0:50]

Wonderful action shots of this beautiful female Valentin's lizard Bayram Hocam. Both captures are splendid in all aspects. TFS. Regards,
Mehmet

Harika bir duruşta ve hareket halinde nefis 2 kare Bayram hocam. WS'deki kaçış pozu çok tatlı:) elinize sağlık.
Bahadır

Hi Bayram - Good shot - these guys are VERY fast and you were lucky to get this picture. Well done

Un'altra fantastica presentazione di questa lucertola, eccellenti POV e composizione, bellissimo questo fondo roccioso, ottima nitidezza e perfetta definzione dei dettagli, magnifici i colori. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

Hi Bayram Hocam, an excellent illustration presenting the female Valentin's lizard in a fine pose and with superb sharpness. I also loved the WS. TFS.
Greetings from Cyprus, Nazım.

Hello Bayram.
Excellent shot,very sharp, interesting POV,
regards,
Nikos.

nice tiny scales, TFS and have a nice weekend, Ori

Hi Bayram,

What a nice pov and suburp details.
Beautiful colours has this Lizard.
i don't dee no Lizards at all and you posted day after day Lizards!

Gert

Her iki çekim de nefis olmuş hocam. Son derece teknik ve kalite açısından da mükemmel kareler. Elinize sağlık.
Deniz

A destacar la ténue y efectiva luz y lo bien captadas que están las texturas de la piel del animal. Buena pose y magnífico encuadre.
Saludos Bayram: Josep Ignasi.

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 351 W: 3 N: 375] (1121)
  • [2008-05-30 5:31]

Merhaba Bayram Bey,
Güzel bir çalışma.Kertenkelenin pozu,detaylar,keskinlik,netlik,kadraj mükemmel olmuş.Tebrikler,ellerinize sağlık!

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1998 W: 6 N: 1948] (13031)
  • [2008-05-30 7:33]

Hola amigo,
preciosa captura,
buenos detalles y foco...
buen pov. y compo.
saludos Bayram.

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1681 W: 8 N: 4318] (14043)
  • [2008-05-30 8:36]

Hi Brother Bayram,

I'm so happy to see this wonderful lizared again. The details of this female are all wonderful but the face is just fantastic. Lovely natural colors and she is placed in a perfect position to show how long that tail is! The workshop view is excellent too.

Jane

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1104 W: 59 N: 2243] (7437)
  • [2008-05-30 10:35]

Hello Bayram,
Back to your old favourites. Excellent sharpness, natural colours and composition.
Regards,
Peter

Merhaba Dr.Bayram,
Selam!!
very fine and sharp details on this Lizard and I loved the lighting especially, very attractive!
many thanks for the notes once again
take care and have a wonderful weekend!
Tony

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1895 W: 4 N: 5148] (19630)
  • [2008-05-30 12:50]

Hi Bayram. Firstly You write some of the most interesting notes . You have captured a fine close up of this Lizard. It has beautiful colours and markings which you have captured so well. TFS.
Nick..
Have a nice weekend.

Great shot, my dear bro!
Cheers!
Goldy

Ciao Bayram, an other of your splendid lizard with fine details and excellent sharpness, very well done, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • cako Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 353 W: 0 N: 316] (1777)
  • [2008-05-30 21:45]

Merhaba Bayram bey çok güzel bir kare türleride yavaş yavaş öğreniyoruz bakalım ellerinize sağlık.

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1205 W: 0 N: 4610] (13714)
  • [2008-05-30 23:31]

Hi Bayram

Greetings from Vancouver.

Lovely shot with excellent detail and framing.

James

Hello Bayram,

Excellent shot of this lizard. Very good POV, DOF and sharpness. Superb colours. Very good background, the white rock is beautiful.
Cheers,
Mariki

Hi Bayram,what a wonderfull details of this lizard,not easy to take so perfectly,just my best compliments for the pic and for the note too,have a nice day,Luciano

Merhaba Hocam,
Excellent captures of Valentin's Rock Lizard are continuing. This time you show us a female, thank you for sharing this beauty with us.
Regards
Nasit

Hello Bayram,

Excellent detail in that shot, nice composition too, with the interesting texture of the rock that the lizard is on.

Thanks,
John

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1015 W: 5 N: 2758] (10010)
  • [2008-05-31 14:06]

Hola Bayram.
Aqui otra muy bella foto de esta lagratija. La cola es bastante grande y su pose sobre las rocas es habitual. Finos colores y alta nitidez.
Saludos Mi buen amigo.
Luis52.

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2369 W: 164 N: 7114] (22494)
  • [2008-06-01 10:11]

Hello Bayram,
What a beautiful female Lizard in a fine curled pose on the white rock. Excellent sharp details and fine colours. I like the low POV and the fine composition.
Many thanks and regards, Ulla

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2304 W: 59 N: 3674] (11774)
  • [2008-06-13 1:44]

Merhaba Bayram Bey,
Guzel fotograf, elnize saglik
Iyi haftasonlari

Perfect capture of this beautiful female lizard in a curled position. Super details on its skin. tfs... regards, cypturk

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