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At last... "Endangered" Taurus Frog :[


At last...
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3389 W: 139 N: 3987] (10514)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-05-17
Categories: Amphibians
Camera: Olympus C-5060WZ
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Turkish Herpetofauna, Endangered, RARE or SIGNIFICANT contributions to TN 3 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-06-02 2:35
Viewed: 617
Favorites: 7 [view]
Points: 72
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Rana holtzi (=R. macrocnemis holtzi) (Taurus Frog) [in Turk. Toros Kurbağası] #1 (A Female and her defensive behaviour)

Dear Friends, thanks for all kind critiques/comments on my previous posting.

As you remembered, I have mentioned that we conduct a project on the population dynamics and breeding biology of R. holtzi (Taurus Frog) supported by TUBITAK ([The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey). In this way, today and subsequent days I will upload some captures of this endemic and critically endangered species. Today I wished to upload a female which it has typically warted soft skin and her one of the defensive behaviours, “the dead mimicry, i.e. 'playing possum'” in WS.

Hoping that you like this and subsequent shots! Also I wish “a nice week to my all TN friends!”

Cheers,

Bayram

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

Taurus frog is known from only Karagöl Lake (Bolkar Mt, Taurus Range, Ulukışla, Niğde province). See my previous landscape shots -L1 & L2- to see the habitat of the species. This species has been on the IUCN (The World Conservation Union) Red List of “Threatened Species” since 1996 and categorized as an Endangered (EN) species. Also it has been taken under strictly conservation by the Turkish Goverment since 1998. Now, Listed as “Critically Endangered” because of a drastic population decline, estimated to be more than 80% over the last ten years, based on observed declines resulting from the introduction of fish into its breeding lakes (The population of the Karagöl lake has significantly declined since the introduction of fish to the lakes in the 1990s); and because its extent of occurrence is less than 100 km², and its area of occupancy is less than 10 km², all individuals are in a single location, and there is continuing decline in the quality of its habitat and in the number of mature individuals in and around Karagöl. Karagöl is found within a popular tourist area. A road (see my previous post) has recently been completed at near the site potentially increasing the number of visitors. Also it can be report to be declining through over collection for scientific (althought the conservation rules exist, and without taking any permitance from the govermental judgements) and possibly other purposes, and the introduction of predatory carp fishes into the lakes, has led to a significant decline in the population. Some authors are accept this population as a “subspecies” of an another species “Rana macrocnemis” (Uludag Frog). However, this situation is not important. From a conservation point of view it is not absolutely important if scientists define it as a full species or a subspecies of R. macrocnemis, it is a true isolated population and an important evolutionary entity in my opinion and I think it would not be possible to replace if going extinct with other R. macrocnemis populations. I am happy that we are doing a lot of ecological and reproductive studies to extend the knowledge of this frog. A small population has been known from the Çiniligöl lakelet, which is situated approximately 150 m distance of Karagöl and about 60-70 m higher than it. However, during the past three years we could not see any frog in this lakelet.

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

Taurus frog is a relatively small frog living in Turkey with a maximum snout-vent length 75 mm. Temporal stripes always present. In males skin is soft and smooth, however in females warted. Dorsolateral skin folds are obvious. There is an iner vocal sac in males. The back is yellowish dirty gren, yellowish pink or gray-green with blackish-grren, black or brownish maculations which usually have thin lighter coloured rims. The venter usually pinkish-redish, sometimes yellowish and rarely gray-white. The pinkish-redish ventral colouration is generally strongly in females than males. It feeds on insects (such as some tenebrionids, gerrids, etc.).

On its breeding biology there is no sufficient data and now we are studying this using subcutaneus (into lenfoidal spaces under the skin) minute tags readible with UV lamb. Each frog is monitoring via this tag. Breeding occurs once a year and takes place in early spring, immediately after the melting of ice and snow. They often assemble in large numbers to breed in a specialised sites (generally shallow areas riched by algs). Male develope prominent dark nuptial pads on the thumps. They grasp the female around the body behind the arms. They active by night and day at this time. Females lay small clumps of spawn usually containing 300-400 eggs, although 10-500 have been recorded by us. The clumps are generally placed shallow areas . Larval development takes place about three month. Newly metamorphosed frogs are about 1.5 cm long. This species appears relatively long lived, most frogs dying in approx. 7-10 years in normal conditions. The info on the breeding biology of the Taurus Frog mentioned above is based on our preliminary studies.

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.
zulfu, nkasot, fyapici, yasemin, eng55, bahadir, strahos, xTauruSx, spalaxtr, demeve, maurydv, jaycee, Gert-Paassen, meyerd, CeltickRanger, gracious, Amadeo, MartinL, goldyrs, Jamesp, yasin, gannu, jpdenk, montivipera, smitha, cypturk has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To yasin: Hi & THanksboreocypriensis 2 06-03 22:27
To joey: Hi Joeboreocypriensis 1 06-03 01:24
To Jamesp: Hi Jamesboreocypriensis 1 06-02 23:25
To Silvio2006: Hi Silvioboreocypriensis 1 06-02 14:24
To PeterZ: Hi & Thanks Peterboreocypriensis 1 06-02 14:22
To jaycee: Hy Sisterboreocypriensis 1 06-02 14:12
To Argus: Hi & THanksboreocypriensis 1 06-02 05:35
To eng55: Selamboreocypriensis 2 06-02 03:37
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 455 W: 0 N: 69] (488)
  • [2008-06-02 2:49]

Zorunlu korunması gereken bir endemik türümüzün biyolojisi ile ilgili harika 2 kare ve önemli orijinal detaylar. Elinize ve emeğinize sağlık Bayram Hocam.
Mehmet

Endemik ve zorunlu korunması gereken bir türe ait iki önemli bilimsel kare hocam. Ayrıca çalışa sırasında elde ettiğiniz bilimsel verileri burda paylaşmanız büyük incelik. Elinize sağlık. Kıbrıs'tan selamlar.
Nazım

Merhaba,

Kurbağalar çok fotojenik mahluklar olmasalar da, endemik bir türün belgelenmesi adına mükemmel kadraja alınmış, alt yazısı ile çok iyi hazırlanmış bir çalışma olmuş. Tebrik ediyorumç

Selamlar

Bayram nefis fotograflar ancak neslinin tukenme tehlikesinde olmasina uzuldum.cok da guzel gorunuyor, sevimli bir tur.olu taklidi yapmasi da iginc.eline saglik.Leyla

Eich!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 349 W: 3 N: 375] (1115)
  • [2008-06-02 3:10]
  • [+]

Merhaba Bayram Bey,
Endemik bir tür olması itibarı ile çok önemli bir döküman.Fotograf kalitesi de üst seviyede.
Tebrikler,ellerinize sağlık!

Hi Bayram!
Very beautiful shot of this Rana species. Very beautiful details and composition.
Well done!
With friendship,
Iulian

Hocam soyu tükenme tehlikesi altında olan bir endemik türümüze ait mükemmel enstantaneler. Ayrıca önemli ve müthiş bilgilendirici notlar. Olağanüstü. Elinize sağlık.
Bahadır

Hello Bayram,

Beautiful picture of this beautiful frog. Great POV, DOF and sharpness. Excellent reproduction of the textures. Superb light and colours. I had a little frog in my hand yesterday (they are very numerous this year), it jumped and falled on the ground, it simulated the death too.
Cheers,
Mariki

Otima foto deste anfibio muito bem focalizado e qualidade muito satisfatória parabéns.
Nilson

hello Bayram!
very nice and detailed photo, i like low pov's.
tfs
Ilias

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2451 W: 132 N: 6982] (21825)
  • [2008-06-02 5:23]
  • [+]

Hello Bayram,
A superb capture of a female Taurus Frog taken with excellent sharpness and fine light management in a great pose. I like the POV and composition on the tight ground vegetation that provides a good contrast.
Nice to see her defence mechanism in the WS too. I think an English expression for feigning death is 'playing possum'.
Thanks for sharing this beauty. You are doing a lot of good work drawing the attention of the Turkish authorities that there are many interesting red-listed Turkish species that need protection by conserving habitats.
Well done my friend and TFS!
Ivan

Bayram Hocam merhaba:) öncelikle resimler mükemmel. Notlar her zamanki gibi en üst düzeyde bilgi verici. Bu arada nickname'imi görmek de hoş:).
Elinize sağlık. Teşekkürler.
Deniz

Bayram merhaba,
Endemik kurbağamızın nefis bir fotoğrafı. Eline sağlık. Paylaşımın için teşekkürler.
Selamlar
Mustafa

Hello Bayram,
Wonderful presentation of this degenerate specie .
Very nice composition, the colors and details are excellent
..Well done

Everton

Stupendo ritratto, eccellenti POV e composizione, straordinaria nitidezza e spettacolare "texture", magnifici i colori e la luce. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

Merhaba Hocam,
Sizin de belirttiğiniz gibi tehlike altında olan bu endemik türümüzün enfes bir fotoğrafı olmuş. WS'deki kare de harika. Sanırım başka bir yerde bu türün böyle bir fotoğrafını bulmak mümkün değil. Bu önemli paylaşımınız için teşekkür ederim.
Saygılar
Naşit

Hi Brother Bayram,

Excellent shot of this lady Taurus Frog. The green grass is the perfect background for her. Wonderful rich colors and superb details. Once again I am attracted to the beautiful eye. I love the pose with the legs in the bent position.

Jane

Hello Bayram,

Another beautiful frog, great detail.

Gert

Hi Bayram,
you surprise me again with your excellent photography, with an exotic and never-seen species and your detailed notes. And the workshop addition is interesting too. I don't add more, I risk to repeat myself. You make us participate in your adventure trips. Thanks for this privilege!
My best regards to you,
Dietrich

hello Bayram

excellent shot of this frog with fine POV & DOF,
i love the POV showing the excellent details
of the frog from his back, TFS

Asbed

Merhaba Dr.Bayram!
Selam!!
Many thanks for sharing this Female Taurus Frog in her defence behavioour pose!
very sharp image with good colour and details on the frog in good and useful notes about it
well done
greeting
Tony

Hi Bayram, great capture of wonderful frog, splendid details and excellent sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

Hello Bayram,
Great photo of this endangered frog. Very beautiful. Excellent sharpness, colours and POV. Very good composition and DOF.
With kind regards,
Peter

  • Great 
  • Amadeo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 178 W: 0 N: 565] (2496)
  • [2008-06-02 15:59]

Hola Bayram, excelente primer plano, buena nitidez y texturas, con un color natural y muy buena luz. Un saludo

Bayram,

That's two great shots in one post! Thanks for the excellent notes and your time taken to shed some light on this endangered species. I think you're very fortunate to be able to work in this field - good for you. Excellent notes, excellent shots. Great work. TFS.

Best Regards,

Martin

My dearest brother,
Sorry, too tired, will be back later!
Goldy

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1179 W: 0 N: 4496] (13404)
  • [2008-06-02 22:04]
  • [+]

Hi Bayram

A lovely shot of this rare frog. You have really captured the texture of its skin really well.

James

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1671 W: 24 N: 4846] (15806)
  • [2008-06-02 22:59]

Hi Bayram,
Wonderful shot of this great looking frob among the green grasses. The fact that it is endangered makes the image more precious. Very neat and sharp image with nice natural colours. Great lighting and I like your low POV to portray it. Very nicely composed. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1554 W: 233 N: 5217] (18329)
  • [2008-06-03 1:18]
  • [+]

Pin-sharp shot of this rare frog!
The level of detail is astonishing!
Really well composed and a good POV.
Perfect soft light and excellent colours.
Very good exposure.

Well done Geckoman!

Joe

  • Great 
  • yasin Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 31 W: 1 N: 43] (129)
  • [2008-06-03 3:19]
  • [+]

Merhaba Bayram Bey,
(Turkish expression-means Mr. Bayram?)
Excellent macro shot, feel like I lay my finger touching her warted soft skin. Great presentation also, Professor!
Just two questions:
- Would you mind telling me the Exif data?
- What did happen after she's playing possum (in your workshop) to defend herself?
TFS and I really appreciate your spare time.

Yasin

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 815 W: 4 N: 2028] (9554)
  • [2008-06-03 6:02]

Hello Bayram,
WOW What a picture. Lovely POV and great focus. I am always fascinated with the lovely eyes they have Ganesh

Hello Bayram,

Excellent image of this rare little creature, it must be very gratifying to find them still alive but still very discouraging to see how they have declined. Very nice shot.

Thanks,
John

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-06-04 22:07]

Hello Bayram

Just marking the post for now

Rob

Hello Bayram,
Excellent picture of the Taurus frog with good focus, sharpness and details.Fine POV and DOF.
TFS,
Smitha.

Harika bir durus ve nefis detaylar. eline saglik. Saygilar...cypturk

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