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Hardun


Hardun
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5100 W: 178 N: 12477] (34071)
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/6.3, 1/500 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Turkish Herpetofauna-II [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-07-02 1:19
Viewed: 537
Points: 68
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Laudakia stellio stellio (Spiny Lizard, Starred Agama or Hardun)
[in Turk. Dikenli Keler, in Cyp. Turk. Gurkuda]

Hi friends, today another shot of the Spiny Lizard but now different subspecies of it from Şırnak Province which I photographed during our April-May trip to SE Anatolia.

TFL and 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 some races as follow:

1.)L. s. stellio: 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].
2) L. s. daani: In Corfu and Sporades islands, and SW Turkey are darker and they have a bluish-grey head and body. The chin shows a clear spotted pattern.
3) L. s. cypriaca: It is characterized mainly by its long tail [Tail length reported on the snout-vent distance (SVL) ranges from 1.53-1.92, averaging 1.73. In other subspecies, this relation rarely exceeds 1.6.]. Finger and toes are long [19-22 subdigital scales under the 3rd finger, 22-28 under 4th toe]. In the dorsal scale arrangement, Cypriotic Spiny lizard resembles the nominotypic form. The small scales of the chin, especially in the region of the gular fold, are strongly spinose and in elder specimens there is a redish coloration on both head and body.
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.].
Hay_kes, siggi, Juyona, haraprasan, nkasot, cypturk, maurydv, KRALKOBRA, xTauruSx, nagraj, nasokoun, Noisette, goatman04, Silvio2006, cirano, bahadir, zulfu, eng55, SMYRNA, yasemin, jlinaresp, jaycee, caspian, albert, uleko, montivipera, anemone has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To montivipera: Selamboreocypriensis 3 07-13 02:41
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Critiques [Translate]

nice and sharp, greetings Ori

Merhaba Hocam,
Mükemmel bir çekim ve sunum.Özellikle ışık ve detaylar nefis olmuş.Eline sağlık Üstadım,
Selamlarımla..

hAyAti

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1380 W: 56 N: 4759] (16364)
  • [2009-07-02 1:33]

Hello MF Bayram.
Beautiful capture of this lizard in very interesting pose.Splendid sharp details as well as beautiful colours.Very good framing.
Well done,nicely composed shot!Thank you for sharing.
Best regards Siggi

Hi Bayram,

Superb capture of the Spiny Lizard. Good use of sunlight and nice PoV.

TFS,
Kedar

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2264 W: 10 N: 2633] (15577)
  • [2009-07-02 2:49]

Hola Bay,
interesante pov,
y original lizard,
detalles y magnífica compo.
saludos

Selam my dear friend,
A nice capture of this beautiful Spiny Lizard. Very good sharp details and a lovely composition. Very well managed exposure even if harsh light. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Merhaba Hocam, dorsal bakıştan harika bir telefoto görüntü. Detaylar süper. Alttürün özellikleri bareiz bir şekilde görünüyor.
Emeğinize sağlık.
Nazım

Dayi gurkuda kayaya cok fena tutunmus. Guzel durmus. Pul detaylariharika gorunuyor. Eline saglik.
Merih

Hello MF Bayram,
a superb capture of Laudakia stellio stellio, excellent POV and composition, very good sharpness, beautiful contrast of the colours.
TFS
Best regards
Maurizio

Merhabalar :)
Elinize sağlık, detaylar çok güzel. Mtühiş bir sürüngen...
Gökhan

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1339 W: 0 N: 2582] (9107)
  • [2009-07-02 6:22]

Merhaba Prof. Bayram MF,
such a great capture of this lizard. you have shown its feature very well.
Well presented with good use of lighting.

regards,
Foozi

Merhaba Hocam, sırttan görünümde harika bir Laudakia çekimi.
Emeğinize sağlık.
Deniz

Hi,
Very fine viewpoint and that 's' shape is great for this spiny lizard, good lighting giving texture too. tfs.
nagraj.v

Merhaba Bayram
from very fine POV you take a beautiful capture,great composition,great photo
Tebrikler MF
Nasos

Merhaba Bayram
wonderful image of this Hardun taken from a great view from the top
I likde his pose taken a sun bath on this rock
stunning details and beautiful natural lighting
Have a good evening
Jacqueline

Salam Bayram,

A great capture of this Hardun with excellent, sharpness, details & composition. Very well done & TFS.

BTW, we have many of these reptiles in the Palestinian areas. One can see them on rocks & in or on olive trees trunks. They sure do make a lot of noise when taking off up an olive tree trunk and they are fast. We call them Hardun.

Ciao Bayram, fantastic lizard, like a preisthoric monster, great capture with fine details and splendid sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2398 W: 94 N: 5543] (17640)
  • [2009-07-02 8:19]

Hello Bayram,
Another very good shot of this Spiny Lizard. Excellent sharpness and composition. Beautiful natural colours.
Regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • cirano Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 656 W: 0 N: 228] (4950)
  • [2009-07-02 10:41]

Bayram Merhaba,
Mezopotamya'nın sert ışığına rağmen oldukça güzel ve başarılı bir sonuç.Detaylar bir çok yorumcunun da belirttiği gibi gerçekten harika olmuş.
Selamlar
Dûrzan

Bayram hocam muthiş detaylı bir uzak çekim. Elinize sağlık.
Bahadır

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1065 W: 0 N: 162] (870)
  • [2009-07-02 11:49]

Hocam her zamanki gibi altürün karakterlerini yansıtacak bir bakış açısı tercih etmişsiniz. Detaylar, renkler herşey cok güzel.
Elinize sağlık.
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1151 W: 32 N: 1192] (3654)
  • [2009-07-02 11:53]

Merhaba Dostum,
Güzel bir kare yakalamışsın yine.Sırt detayları mükemmel gözüküyor.
Selamlar,ellerine sağlık..

Hello Bayram,
Very beautiful specimen, with a very dark grey colours and a great triangular head. It is nice you take it on light stone for a good contrast. Cheers,
Catherine

Kanki sırttan tüm yapısı belli bu timsah benzeri kertenkelenin.
Eline sağlık.ç İyi geceler.
Gökhan

Bayram.. resmen Jurasik park:) sırttaki pulcuklar cok net... gurkudacigin durusu da cok guzel.. eline saglik.. herhesten selamlar..
Leyla.

Parece sacado de un museo de prehistoria jeje.
Buena disposición en el plano del reptil y muy bien captadas las texturas.
En tu línea.
Saludos: Josep Ignasi.

Hello Bayram Friend,

Superb picture, displaying your expertise to handle the brightness and to achieve incredible levels of contrasts and details totally enviable.

Looks like a baby Gozzilla! ..

Good job, great note, thanks for sharing!

Jesús

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2009-07-02 17:10]

Hi LBB,

I am always amazed by your depth of knowledge of all of these lizard species. I shouldn't be since this is part of your specialty, but I am. A fantastic pose - love the feet!

Jane

Merhaba Bayram hocam,

Harika bir çekim. Üst kompozisyon ile beraber ışık ve gölgelerin uyumu da çok iyi. Bu tür hakkında verdiğiniz bilgilerde çok doyurucu. Paylaşımlarınız için teşekkürler.

Selamlarımla.
Mehmet

Hello Bayram
Very good exposure despite of a strong light
Your photos are very well documented by detailed notes, thanks Mr Professor
Best regards
Albert

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2999 W: 162 N: 984] (2877)
  • [2009-07-03 11:47]

Hello Bayram,
When we stayed in Paphos we had lots of these Hardun Agama lizards running about on the rocks below the hotel. It was really fascinating watching these beautiful creatures. This is an excellent view from above showing it sharply against the rock face. A very fine composition too.
TFS and kind regards, Ulla

Nice shot. I've never seen such a black coloured spiny lizard before. Thanks for sharing.

Merhaba Hocam,
Çok güzel bir kare daha, elinize sağlık.
Saygılarımla, Naşit

Bayram hocam tüm desen ve pulların dizaynı sırttan harika görünüyor. Elinize sağlık.
Saygılarımla,
Özgür

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