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Sunbathing Hardun


Sunbathing Hardun
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5091 W: 178 N: 12433] (33947)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-05-01
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Nikon D-80, Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG APO HSM, @ ISO 200
Exposure: f/8, 1/320 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Turkish Herpetofauna-II [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-07-03 1:31
Viewed: 486
Points: 58
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Laudakia stellio stellio (Spiny Lizard, Starred Agama or Hardun)
[in Turk. Dikenli Keler]

Hi friends, today another shot of the Spiny Lizard from Hakkari Province (Çığlı, Çukurca) which I photographed during our herpetological trip to that region in this year. The name of “Hardun” indeed an Arabic name of the species called by peoples from Arabic countries where the species/subspecies is found.

TFL and Have a nice WE!
cheers,

©Bayram GÖÇMEN, Ege University, Faculty of Science. All Rights Reserved.

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

A middle-sized agamid lizard with a moderately depressed body. Total length reaches up to 35 cm, or slightly longer. The flat and triangular head is covered with asymmetrically distributed small scales and plates. Snout is longer than the distance eye-tympanum. Pupils are round. Spiny scales on the neck and sides of the head. The dorsum is covered with small and large scales. Ventral scales are smooth, callous glands, which are present in males, consist of 3-5 rows of modified scales in pre-cloacal position, and an isolated group of scales in the middle of abdomen, near umbilical scar. The tail is moderately depressed in its proximal part; the distal part is rounded or slightly oval in cross-section. The scales of the tail are arranged into distinct circular segments, each consisting of two whorls of enlarged mucronate (spiny) scales. The coloration is extremely variable, depending on race, sex, age and substrate.

Spiny lizard is widely distributed from Greece, Aegean islands, S Turkey, Cyprus, Lebanon, W Syria, N Iraq, Israel, NW Jordan, to Sinai and northern Egypt. Five subspecies of Laudakia stellio are recognised in addition to the nominotypic form within its wide range. Populations in Turkey belong to the nominotypic subspecies, L. s. stellio (S Turkey except Western parts and S Aegean islands, Syria, W Jordan, Israel and N. Sinai) and to L. s. daani (S Aegean islands and SW Turkey) . Evidently, there are intermediate forms in the contact zones between individual subspecies. Whereas in Cyprus an endemic subspecies, L. s. cypriaca lives. The important diagnostic features of the subspecies , i.e., L. s. stellio, photographed here as follow:

It is characterized by a narrow mid-dorsal zone of enlarged scales with regular offshoots between the flank scales. These enlarged scales are keeled but not very spinose. Adult animals generally have SVL of 9-12 cm. Length of tail in relation to this length averaging 1.43. Coloration is rather variable. Generally a dark grayish, brownish ground colour of head and body, against which a pattern of 4-5 vertebral patches is outlined. Behind the head, at both sides before the shoulders, sometimes a black collar spot is present. Finger and toes are short. [15-18 subdigital scales under the 3rd finger, 17-23 under 4th toe].

The other known subspecies [L. s. picea from N Jordan & NE Israel; L. s. brachydactyla from S. Israel, SW Jordan, E Sinai & adjacent parts of Saudi Arabia; L. s. vulgaris from N Egypt] are distributed in southern Levantine regions.

Frequents stone walls, rocky areas and olive groves, can easily climb both on trees and rocks. Feeds mainly on insects (ants and other hymenopterans, orthopterans, mantids, beetles, butterflies, spiders, scorpions, mollusks), but can also ingest some plant material. it is the most commonly encountered reptile species in the close vicinity of human settlements, dense populations occur even in large cities. It is a diurnal, heliophilous lizard. Both males and females form hierarchies and maintain territories. A dominant male perches on the highest point of his territory. Typical display behaviour consists of series of vertical movements of the head and cranial third of the body. The submissive animals reply by flattening of their bodies and pushing the heads towards the surface. This behaviour of females is often accompanied by lateral undulations of the tail. Seasonal activity depends both on the altitude and latitude. A female lays 8-14 eggs.

References:

1. Göçmen, B. (Unpub. results). The results of herpetological trips.
2. Göçmen, B., Tosunoglu, M. & Taskavak, E. (2003). A Taxonomic Comparison of the Hardun, Laudakia stellio (Reptilia, Agamidae), Populations of Southern Turkey (Hatay) and Cyprus. Zoology in the Midle East, 28: 25-32
3. Göçmen, B., Kasot, N., Yildiz, M.Z., Sas, I., Akman, B., Yalçinkaya, D. & Gücel, S. (2008). Results of the Herpetological Trips to Northern Cyprus. North-Western Journal of Zoology, 4 (1): 139-149.
4. Budak, A. & Göçmen, B. (2005). Herpetology. Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi Kitaplar Serisi, No. 194, Ege Üniversitesi Basimevi, Bornova-Izmir, 226 pp. [2nd Edition, 2008].
5. Disi, A. M., Modry, D., Necas, P. & Rifai, L. (2001). Amphibians and Reptiles of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Edition Chimaira, 408 pp.
6. Üçüncü, N., Göçmen, B. & Üçüncü, S. (2001). Protozoa Living in the Rectum of the Spiny-Lizard, Laudakia stellio stellio (Linnaeus, 1758) (Reptilia:Lacertilia) and Their Structures. T. Parazitol. Derg. (Acta Parasitologica Turcica), 25 (1): 78-82.
7. Atatür, M. K. & Göçmen, B. (2001). Amphibians and Reptiles of Northern Cyprus [Kuzey Kibris'in Kurbaga ve Sürüngenleri], Ege Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi Kitaplar Serisi, No. 170, Ege Üniversitesi Basimevi, Bornova-Izmir, 63 pp (ISBN 975-483-486-5) [In Turkish & English, 63 pp.].
nkasot, cypturk, cirano, yasemin, nasokoun, goatman04, jlinaresp, SMYRNA, xTauruSx, bahadir, Luis52, nglen, zulfu, maurydv, jaycee, goldyrs, Argus, elif, haraprasan, Noisette, eng55, siggi, montivipera, anemone has marked this note useful
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To cirano: slmboreocypriensis 2 07-04 03:17
To elif: Selamboreocypriensis 1 07-04 02:17
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Bayram,

I think this is the best of the lot. The sharp blue sky and the dark lizard makes this a great portrait. Awesome work!

TFS,
Kedar

Düz mavi gökyüzü ile ve dikenli kelerin artistik pozu ile süper bir çekim olmuş Bayram hocam.
Elinize sağlık.
Nazım

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1339 W: 0 N: 2575] (9083)
  • [2009-07-03 1:52]

Merhaba MF Prof. Bayram,
excellent shot from below. The features of this rugged fella is really exciting. Well posed under a good lighting.
Well presented in sharpness.

regards,
Foozi

Hello Dayi,
Excellent point of view and a very good shot with nice colors, wonderful sky and details, perfect lighting.
TFS and kind rigards
Cypturk

Bayram Merhaba,
National Geographic'in bu ayki sayısında verdiği Türkiye'de tehlike altındaki türler haritasında Şırnak bölgesinde kertenkele resmini görünce senin dünkü fotoğrafın geldi aklıma, hemen açıp baktım aynı tür olabilir mi acaba diye.Haritadaki resmin çok belirgin olmaması nedeniyle aynı olup olmadığını anlamadım ama isimler farklı idi.Oradaki Urmiye Kertenkelsi idi.İyi deyip sevindim en azından senin fotolarını çektiklerinin soyunu tüketmemişiz diye...
Onca gürültüye ve fotoğraftan anlaşılan zorluğa rağmen iyi bir focusla kaliteli bir sonuç çıkarmışsın.Eline emeğine sağlık.
Selamlar...
Dûrzan

Bayram. cok estetik cekmissin bunu... renkler ve kompozisyon cok guzel cikmis.. Eline saglik.. Selamlar...
Leyla.

hello Bayram
from very good POV with a fine composition (blue sky)a beautiful capture of this reptile
TFS MF
Nasos

Merhaba Bayram,

A great shot of this Hardun with very good details. He may be sunbathing, but is keeping an eye on you & your location.

TFS & Salam

Umar

Hello Bayram!

Work on outgoing friend, the sky is perfect blue and solid. The photo is highly complemented by the contrast and the angle of capture.

Among the best!

Greetings, TFS & Happy WE!

Jesús

Merhaba Hocam,
Mükemmel bir çekim ve sunum.Özellikle yüzündeki mağrur ifade çok hoşuma gitti.Işık ve detaylar nefis olmuş.Eline sağlık Üstadım,
Selamlarımla..

hAyAti

Ciao Bayram, beautiful lizard in wonderful pose, great contrast against blue sky, splendid light and colors, fine details and excellent sharpness, very well done, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

Vuelves a tu especialidad ! bien vcaptado el cuerpo, aunque no tanto la cabeza, supongo que al igual que yo no usas flash de relleno... no lo se.
Un abrazo: Josep Ignasi.

Kanka, bakış açın ve mavi gökyüzü etkileyici bu resimde. Hayvanın pozu da çok güzel.
Eline sağlık.
Gökhan

Merhaba Hocam, renkler, detaylar ve özellikle de dikenli kelerin verdiği poz çok tatlı.
Emeğinize sağilık, saygılar.
Deniz

Etkileyici bir bakış açısından enfes bir çekim olmuş Bayram hocam. Emeğinize ve elinize sağlık.
Bahadır

  • Great 
  • Luis52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1110 W: 5 N: 3457] (12761)
  • [2009-07-03 10:04]

Hola Bayram.
Fina foto. La pose y el fondo en azul del cielo le dan valor agregado a la imagen
Saludos
Luis52.

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2909 W: 34 N: 8636] (32186)
  • [2009-07-03 11:38]

Hi Bayram. What a fine looking Lizard. I like the bold looking pose it has. With its dark colours. and fine detail . Stands out well from the deep blue sky. well done TFS.
Nick..

Have a nice weekend

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1059 W: 0 N: 162] (868)
  • [2009-07-03 12:34]

Muhteşem renkler ve detaylar hocam. Çok güzel omuş.
Emeğinize sağlık.
Mehmet

Hello MF Bayram,
another great view of this Laudakia stellio stellio taken from an excellent low POV, very good sharpness and beautiful contrast of the natural colours in a nice composition.
TFS
Have a good weekend
Ciao Maurizio

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2009-07-03 16:25]

Hi LBB,

An eye catching composition with all the diagonal lines. The Lizard's pose fits right in. Wonderful colors and shadings against the blue sky. Fine details of the face, eye and skin. There have been lots of very small lizards here lately and I always think of you. Every summer there is one living behind my outdoor thermometer!

Jane

It feels so nice to do what one loves doing...
A lovely shot...And while I really treasure your other shots, it makes me very happy that you're posting shots of subjects you love and are so knowledgeable about!
bravo, Big Bro!
Goldy

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3819 W: 190 N: 11368] (35041)
  • [2009-07-03 21:43]

Günaydin Bayram!
A fine capture of a Hardun against the blue sky, the lighting making him look like a sculpture of a dinasaur on the rock!
I like the composition with the parallel grass stalks diagonally across the image.
Thanks dostum and have a good WE!
Ivan

  • Great 
  • elif Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 169 W: 0 N: 98] (458)
  • [2009-07-04 0:03]
  • [+]

Merhaba Bayram Hocam,
Çok güzel bir dikenli keler fotoğrafı.Kelerlerin güneşlenmek için kaya üzerinde artistik duruşu beni öldürüyor:))arkadaki mavi fonla gerçekten çok iyi yakalamışsınız.
Bu arada sonunda üç tür kertenkele, bir tür yılan fotoğraflayabildim:)
elinize sağlık
Selamlar, saygılar.
Elif

Selam my dear friend,
A nice capture of this Spiny Lizard. Very good POV. Sharp details and a nice composition. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Merhaba Bayram
another great shot from this Spiny Lizard, nice POV and sharp details
I like the blue sky
Have a nice sunday
Jacqueline

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1139 W: 32 N: 1164] (3582)
  • [2009-07-06 6:42]

Merhaba Dostum,
Sana darılmış gibi poz vermiş:)Mavi gökyüzüne karşı çok güzel bir bakış noktasından çekmişsin.
Selamlar,ellerine sağlık..

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1376 W: 56 N: 4736] (16296)
  • [2009-07-06 10:12]

Hello MF Bayram,
wonderful shot of this lizard and you have had it in a fabulous pose here. The blue sky acts as a fine BG and the image is neat and sharp. Excellent POV and composition. Best regards Siggi

Merhaba Hocam,
Farklı bir açıdan gene güzel bir kare. Bu arada Hakkari'de sizinle beraber olmak isterdim :(, malum pek kolay gidilebilen bir yer değil ve biyoçeşitlilik bakımından da çok cezbedici bir bölge bence. Yeni bir şeyler çıkmıştır diye tahmin ediyorum :)
Saygılarımla, Naşit

Doğal ortamında harika bir duruşta çok hoş bir çekim olmuş Bayram hocam.
Saygılarımla,
Özgür

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