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Handsome


Handsome
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5109 W: 178 N: 12535] (34229)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-08-18
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Nikon D-80, AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED, @ ISO 400, SIGMA 62MM EX DG MC UV Filter
Exposure: f/7.1, 1/100 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Turkish Herpetofauna-II [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2009-10-18 1:33
Viewed: 310
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 70
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Apathya cappadocica cappadocica (Kayseri Lizard) [in Turk. Kayseri Kertenkelesi] (Adult Male)

Dear Friends, today I am returning my main subject:) and may be you remember that I have uploaded some shots of two subspecies (muhtari & schmidtlerorum) belonging to this agile Kayseri Lizard. Today another race –nominate- of the Kayseri (Cappadocian) Lizard which prefer rocky valley biotopes -1st on TN- It is characterized by having a special colour-patern showing an adaptation to its habitat where it is live and endemic to Malatya, Kahramanmaraş, Adana and Erzincan provinces, also the southern parts of Central Anatolia.

TFL! Have a nice Sunday!
Cheers,

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

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

The Genus Apathya (formerly Lacerta) includes only two species (Apathya cappadocica and Apathya yassujica) which they are distributed in Southeastern Turkey, northern Iraq (A. cappadocica) and west Iran (A. yassujica). These members of the genus are unique among lacertid lizards in having clear single keels on scales beneath toes, a transparent window in the lower eyelid consisting of several black-edged scales, and variable scaling on the side of the snout that may involve up to three postnasal and three loreal scales and sometimes an additional scale between the rostral and the nostril. Also possessing the following features found only in a minority of other lacertids: outer edge of parietal scale not reaching lateral border of parietal table, often five upper labial scales anterior to subocular, no masseteric scale (indeed a big one in temporal region), in some populations eight longitudinal rows of ventral scales; preanal scale often very small, bordered by two or more semicircles of smaller scales; often broad light dorsolateral stripes on dorsum; blue ocelli often present on flanks; bright colouring on underside absent, at least posteriorly, no blue spots on outer ventral scales, hemipenes with traces of an armature and its retracted lobes coarsely folded.

The species are small lizards up to 83 mm from snout to vent, adult males often larger than females; head and body usually quite depressed. Rostral plate separated from frontonasal scale; row of supracilliary granules complete; outer edge of parietal scale not reaching lateral border of parietal table. Two or three postnasal scales and one to three anterior loreals; sometimes an additional scale between the rostral and the nostril; no contact between the supranasal and anterior loreal scales above nostril; usually five upper labial scales in front of subocular; lower eyelid with transparent window made up of 5 (A. yassujica) or 6 to 8 (A. cappadocica) large black-edged scales; first upper temporal scale long; masseteric scale absent and temporal area covered by very small granular scales. Dorsal body scales small and smooth, about 50–75 in a transverse row at mid-body. Collar smooth; six or eight longitudinal rows of rectangular ventral scales; preanal scale often very small, bordered by two or more semicircles of small subequal scales; scales under toes with clear single keels; whorls of scales on tail subequal in length.

Adult dorsal patterns in A. cappadocica more or less striated, banded or reticulated, often with fairly broad, light coloured dorsolateral stripes, the precise pattern varying geographically; A. yassujica is often plain above. Background colour bluish-green to greyish. Blue ocelli often present in shoulder region and over rest of flanks. Whole underside without strong pigmentation in A. cappadocica, being whitish sometimes with a blue-green tinge, but throat and adjacent thoracic region yellowish-orange in A. yassujica; throat and chin of both species often with dark spots; no blue spots on outer row of ventral scales. Juveniles similar to adults but pattern more contrasting and tail blue.

Males bite flank of females during copulation; clutches consisting of 3–7 eggs. Often found climbing on rock exposures.

In Turkey, the genus is represented with one of two known species, Apathya cappadocica (Kayseri/Cappadocian Lizard): its total length reaches up to 25 cm. It has usually 5, rarely 6 supralabials in front of subocular; no masseteric; 52-75 rows of dorsal scales at mid-trunk; ventrals in 6 longitudinal rows (8 in the subspecies urmiana); femaral pores between 18-27; subdigital scales with keels. Pattern and coloratian changes according to the subspecies, however usually the dorsum is bluish-green to gray and generally with black maculations. Light colored longitudinal supraciliary stripes are present, continuing on flanks, sametimes intermittent; the dark flanks with darker or lighter maculations. The venter is whitish or bright light pinkish.
Kayseri Lizard prefers stony, rocky, pebbly areas with sparse vegetation and rock mounds; sametimes seen in wooded areas. Also It can climb on trees. Feeds on various insects and a female lays 3-7 eggs. It is known from Turkey and N Iraq with a maximum vertical distribution of 2000 m. In Turkey, represented with five subspecies:

(1) A. c. cappadocica: It is known from Malatya, Kahramanmaraş, Adana and Erzincan provinces, also the southern parts of Central Anatolia.
(2) A. c. urmiana: In SE Anatolian provinces Siirt and Mardin.
(3) A. c. muhtari: In SE Anatolian provinces Sanliurfa and Diyarbakir. (‘Calcareous’ biotopes)
(4) A. c. schmidtlerorum: In SE Anatolian provinces Sanliurfa and Diyarbakir. (‘Lava’ biotopes)
(5) A. c. wolteri. In provinces Gaziantep, Kahramanmaraş, Hatay,also Nur Mountains.

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, 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.
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1385 W: 56 N: 4777] (16434)
  • [2009-10-18 1:42]

Hello MF Bayram,
Fantastic shot of this lizard from head to the tip of the tail. You caught him in a wonderful pose on the rock. Details of the face, skin and legs are superb and the colors are excellent and natural.Best regards Siggi

  • Great 
  • roges Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 620 W: 0 N: 561] (3236)
  • [2009-10-18 1:50]

Merhaba Bayram,
A very beautiful picture. Super macro with more fabulous!
Have a pleasant Sunday,
Adrian

Ohhh.. ohhh.. hem de ne yakışıklı:) Konu tüm ihtişamı ile geri döndü dersek doğru olur sanırım Hocam. Nominat ırktan harika bir poz ve detaylar. Elinize sağlık. Saygılar.
Nazım

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2411 W: 94 N: 5569] (17712)
  • [2009-10-18 2:00]

Hello Bayram,
Great photo with a very good sharp focus on the head and body. Beautiful natural colours. Excellent pose, DOF, POV and composition. A beauty!
Regards,
Peter

Bayram merhaba,
Özlemiştik bu karelerini.Pozu ve netliği ile gerçekten harika bir çekim olmuş.Emeklerine sağlık.
Spas û pîroz...
Dûrzan

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1069 W: 0 N: 162] (870)
  • [2009-10-18 2:09]

Bayram Hocam günaydın! Süper bir dönüş:) Kayseri kertenkelesinin nominat ırkını nefis bir poz, detaylar, renkler ve detaylar ile sabitlemişsiniz. Özellikle bakış açınız ve alan derinliği çok etkileyici. Emeğinize sağlık.
Saygılarımla,
Mehmet

Kanka bilion ben tırsarım bu yaratıklardan:) ama çok güzel çekmişsin. Eline ve emeğine sağlık. İyi pazarlar.
Gökhan

Hello Bayram!
Last August I planed to visit Cappadocian region, but unfortunatelly without any success. Today I see what I could see there - a lovely lizard species :> Very nice pose of the reptile and - as always - very good presentation.
All the best from cold and grey Lodz,
Radek

Bayram...gercekten cok YAKISIKLI:) demek meshur kapadokyanin kertenkelesi de bu.. ayni gizem ve guzellik hayvanina da yansimis.. cok guzel detaylar ve renkler. bacaklari arasındaki mavilikler cok hos duruyorlar..
Eline saglik. hepimizden selamlar..
Leyla.

Daa-yi:) ozlemistim kertenkele yilanlarini:) insallah daha cok goruruk artik. Cok guzel acidan harika cekmissin bu guzeli. Eline ve emegine saglik.
Mel

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1978 W: 6 N: 5527] (19673)
  • [2009-10-18 3:21]

Hi Bayram,you're back in your prefered world as i can see...beautiful pic whit a great sharpness and colors,i'm not interesting a lot of the reptils worlds,but when the pic is beautiful and perfect like that,i must stop and comment too,my best compliments,have a nice Sunday,LUCIANO

Merhaba Bayram hocam, kendimi omurgalı dersinde gibi hissetim bir an:). Benzer güzel çekimlerinizi derslerde de gördüğümden olcak. Harika bir çekim hocam. İnsanın kendi özel sahası olunca çekmesi de sunumu da ayrı bir keyif veriyordur. Ustaca çekilmiş enfes bir çalışma olmuş.
Elinize ve emeğinize sağlık. Saygılarımla,
Özgür

Hola Bayram!
You've captured this fine A. c. cappadocica specimen in a typical rostrum raised, alert posture quite well, with natural colours in sooo natural surroundings...
Good job indeed!
Mehmet

Ciao Bayram. Amazing dynamic sinouse pose. Wonderful light and stunning details on the lizard's skyn. Perfect DOF. best complimets MF.

Roberto

Namastay Bayram Bhaijaan,

Ohh, here we have handsome candidate today! The sharpness and POV are perfect with superb show of its textures. I like the colors of the lizard.
Well done!

best regards,
Paras

Merhaba Bayram,

An excellent macro of this lizard with beautiful natural coloration, sharpness & fine details. Lovely POV, pose & BG.

Well done & TFS.

Salam & best wishes

Umar

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2924 W: 34 N: 8671] (32310)
  • [2009-10-18 7:41]

Hi Baayram. A big day for you on your next posting. This is a fine close up of the Lizard. Fine detail and markings which you have captured so well. All with warm colours. well taken TFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3831 W: 190 N: 11410] (35161)
  • [2009-10-18 8:17]

Merhaba dostum Bayram,
Handsome indeed!
A fine capture of this Kayseri Lizard ssp taken from an excellent POV in a an ideal pose to show its features with fine sharpness, colours and lightinga gainst a fine neutral but natural stone BG.
Nice one MF!
Thanks and all the best,
Ivan

Hello Bayram,
Excellent shot of Kayseri Lizard with perfect POV, details & sharpness. I enjoyed reading your notes. TFS
Regards-Subhash

İyi geceler hocam. Nefis bir kayseri kertenkelesi makrosu.
Etkileyici bakış açısı yanısıra renkler ve detaylar kusursuz olmuş. Emeğinize sağlık.
Deniz

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3002 W: 162 N: 991] (2901)
  • [2009-10-18 10:02]
  • [2]

Hello Bayram,
What a beauty this is and pictured in a very nice pose on the rock! Excellent sharpness, beautiful colours and a very fine composition.
TFS and have a nice week, Ulla

Bayram hocam süper bir makro. Elinize ve emeğinize sağlık.
Bahadır

very nice and handsonme... greetings Ori

Ciao Bayram, great capture of lovely slizard, good DOF, fantastic details and splendid sharpness, very well done my friend, ciao Silvio

Bayram
Wonderful this lizard!
Great details and colors.
Congratulation!
\Mariana

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2001 W: 226 N: 6845] (24727)
  • [2009-10-18 12:43]

A super-detailed photo of this lizard, Geckoman!! :D
Great composition.
Nice pose too.

I hope you are well!

Joe

Hello Bayram,
Great capture of this beautiful lizard! Very well done.
TFS & Best regards. Ferran

Hello MF Bayram,
Excellent capture, with a very good composition, light and sharpness. This Apathya is a real beauty! Well documented note, as usual. I wish you a nice week,
Catherine

Merhaba Bayram hocam,

Mükemmel bir bakış açısı ile çok güzel bir makro olmuş. Netlik zonunun özellikle baş ve gövde üzerinde tutulması da çok ustaca. Keskinlik, ışık, pozlama her şey çok iyi üstadım. Elinize ve emeğinize sağlık

Selam ve saygılarımla,
Mehmet

hello Bayram
beautiful scene and composition...colours and details a fine output!
TFS MF thanks for sharing
Nasos

A handsome one from a handsome Big Bro!A superb shot, my dearest Big Bro!
Very well done!
Bravo!
Goldy

Merhaba Bayram
your lizard shost are always soooo beautiful, the sharpness on his head and body are first class, i like very much his pose on this rock, the warm colors and the composition
Have a good night
Jacqueline

Precioso reptil captado con magnifico detalle y color natural ,en la que parece que este posando para el fotografo
felicidades
Buen trabajo
un saludo

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1161 W: 32 N: 1196] (3668)
  • [2009-11-11 8:13]

Bu yakışıklı arkadaşı bir de bu açıdan görmüş olduk.Yine söyleyecek fazla söz bırakmamışsın.Limitim bitti,en kısa zamanda devam etmek üzere.
İyi akşamlar,selamlar Dostum!

Merhaba Hocam,
Çok yakışıklı çıkmış gerçekten. Elinize sağlık.
Saygılarımla, Naşit

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