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Killer Love Dance- scramble competition


Killer Love Dance- scramble competition
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3991 W: 153 N: 4799] (12716)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-05-18
Categories: Amphibians
Camera: Olympus C-5060WZ
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Turkish Herpetofauna [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-06-05 0:33
Viewed: 696
Points: 54
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Rana holtzi (=R. macrocnemis holtzi) (Taurus Frog) [in Turk. Toros Kurbağası] #4 (Amplexus: embracing)

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

Many amphibians have explosive breeding periods that last only a few days. This is characteristic of many species that the breeding season is short [in Taurus Frog this time is approx 2-3 weeks]. This is critical for eggs to be laid quickly and larvae to develop before they dry or warm up, or also the falling down the water level. These conditions generally result in dense aggregations of males and females and lead to a mating system known as “scramble competition”. Males search the pond for mates, grabbing anything that resembles a female frog. Often, several males pile onto a single female and struggle to be the one to fertilize her eggs as you can see in my capture. These mating balls can be dangerous to females, and many are crushed or drowned by the competing males. The exact nature of this event also depends on the length of time females are available and the degree to which they are aggregated in a limited area.

Hoping that you like this shot!

Cheers,

Bayram

PS. According to me, the quality of this shot is not good :( but it is important document to show this behaviour in Taurus Frog.

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

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.

Ps. These shots was taken during 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).

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.
Silvio2006, nkasot, zulfu, iris, eng55, bahadir, maurydv, IulianGherghel, gannu, kaytan, gerbilratz, smitha, Argus, jaycee, Gert-Paassen, matatur, xTauruSx, Jamesp, yasemin, montivipera, marhowie, rousettus, cypturk has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To yasemin: :)boreocypriensis 1 06-05 14:50
To iris: Hi Iris,boreocypriensis 3 06-05 07:51
To Argus: Hi Ivanboreocypriensis 1 06-05 07:47
To smitha: Hi Smithaboreocypriensis 1 06-05 06:53
To maurydv: Hi & Thanks Maurizioboreocypriensis 1 06-05 01:57
To eng55: Selam Ömer Beyboreocypriensis 1 06-05 01:20
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Critiques [Translate]

Gerçekten önemli bir belge Bayram hocam. İşaret ettiğiniz gibi suyun azalmasına bağlı olarak veya dişi populasyonda azalma nedeniyle bu durum olabilir. Korunması gerekli bir tür için mükemmel bir kare. elinize sağlık.
Nazım

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 527 W: 0 N: 95] (585)
  • [2008-06-05 0:46]

Hiç şüphesiz değerli bir döküman. Elinize sağlık hocam.
Mehmet

  • Great 
  • iris Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 392 W: 41 N: 735] (2314)
  • [2008-06-05 1:00]
  • [+]

Ha Ha Professor:D This gets interesting by the day..the other day i read your interesting notes that talked about their mating times ...precisely those night time slots...this "great love scramble" must also be giving you and your student some hilarious moments....great composition showing the frogs in "tangle to do the tango"...i wonder why do you worry bout the quality fo the shot...'coz you have here in a neat PoV captured all the players...the natural habitat that they have been composed in provides a great presentation.
Thank you for sharing this amazing series Bayram...Cheers

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 353 W: 3 N: 376] (1127)
  • [2008-06-05 1:05]
  • [+]

Merhaba Bayram Bey,
Serinin bu fotografı da çok güzel ve diğerlerini tamamlar özellikte.Tebrikler,ellerinize sağlık!

Selam hocam, bu çiftleşme topları küçük olduğu sürece eğlenceli ama kalabalık olduğu zaman sizin de notunuzda yazdığınız gibi maalesef dişinin ölümüyle sonuçlanıyor ki bu pek de eğlenceli değil, hele de korunması gereken bir tür için. Bence de önemli bir belge. Elinize sağlık.
Bahadır

Spettacolare immagine e allo stesso tempo straordinaria documentazione scientifica, eccellenti POV e DOF, molto bella la composizione "dentro la scena" (le tue immagini ci mettono sempre nelle condizioni di spettatori di prima fila), ottima nitidezza, molto velli e naturali i colori. Grazie e complimenti. Ciao Maurizio

Hi Bayram,
Another great post and very educative subject.
Thank you because you promote the herp education everywhere you can.
TFS
Regards,
Iulian

Hello Bayram,

Only marking today, no time.
Mariki

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 923 W: 4 N: 2310] (10776)
  • [2008-06-05 5:06]

Hello Bayaram, Your note always leaves with such a research and wonderful subject. Excellently done. Ganesh

Amazing information Bayram, and an excellent image. Details and colouration is first class, showing these animals in their natural habitat, fine work!!!

Merhaba Hocam,
Seri çok güzel bir şekilde, ilginç notlarla, devam ediyor. Emeğinize sağlık.
Saygılar
Naşit

Hello Bayram,
An interesting capture. I don't think the picture is of poor quality. You have taken it at good POV and DOF that clearly shows the mating frenzy of the frogs in their natural habitat. Poor female frog, it looks almost crushed to death. Can I ask you a doubt? In some species of frogs that I have come across, I have noticed that male is smaller than female. But in this picture the male looks quite big. Is it different with taurus frogs?
Thanks a lot for sharing this picture and for the very informative notes.
Regards,
Smitha.

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2611 W: 133 N: 7494] (23373)
  • [2008-06-05 7:23]
  • [+]

Hello Bayram,
Great capture of the mating behaviour of the Taurus Frog and an interesting note to go with it.
The light reflections on the wet bodies are difficult to manage to prevent OE in those areas but the general quality of the image is excellent with fine sharpness and composition.
It is interesting to see how the colours and markings vary between individuals.
Thanks for showing us this fine image and the behaviour it shows,
Best wishes, my friend,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1786 W: 8 N: 4638] (14987)
  • [2008-06-05 9:13]

Hi Bro Bayram,

The way we females have to endure the abuse of males!! It's a good thing the breeding season is so short. Fascinating picture and notes - I seem to learn something new from you every day and I thank you. Nothing wrong with the quality of the picture - you caught the action perfectly.

Jane

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1210 W: 68 N: 2509] (8277)
  • [2008-06-05 11:05]

Hello Bayram,
Beautiful and interesting photo. Okay the quality is not perfect, but the photo is very acceptable. Good natural colours and POV. Great composition.
Regards,
Peter

Hi Bayram, interesting capture, splendid couple with fine details and superb sharpness, great useful note, very well done, ciao Silvio

Eee ne demişler Bayram, "rekabet nesli güzelleştirir" di mi efeem?
Mehmet

Hello Bayram,

I thought that I has written the critique but proberbly not.
good pov and dof as usual,
Intersting serie and notes.

Gert

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1692 W: 242 N: 5589] (19849)
  • [2008-06-05 13:30]

Great shot, Bayram!
That poor female! :-)
Excellent composition.
Good DOF.
Superb sharpness.

Well done,
Joe

Merhaba Bayram Hocam bugün geç kaldım:) resimlerin ikisi de oldukça harika:) bu durunmları gözlemek hakikaten heyecan verici. Ama maalesef dişiler açısından zor bir durum. Elinize sağlık.
Deniz

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1252 W: 0 N: 4842] (14380)
  • [2008-06-05 13:53]

Hi Bayram

Great POV plus good detail and exposure - plus the usual informative note,

James :)

  • Great 
  • cako Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 389 W: 0 N: 371] (1986)
  • [2008-06-05 13:55]

Merhaba Bayram bey yokluktan iş tersine dönmüş demek güzel bir kare ellerinize sağlık.

Hi my dear brother Bayram. Your shot of the mating frenzy of the Taurus Frogs scrambling over the female is illuminating ,it shows the fight that the males must perform in order to provide the female with the dominatid genes.It also shows what she has to put herself through to obtain this.I found the information along with the shot, top notch,keep up the good work. Very impressive, exellent and very useful information.. Well done.Iam very proud of you.Iam sure your student very lucky to have you. Kind regards from all of us.LEYLA.

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1002 W: 6 N: 2700] (10017)
  • [2008-06-06 2:16]

Hi Bayram,super shot,another wonderfull pic perfectly taken in marriage whit a very intersting note,a best work,my compliments,thanks for share,Luciano

Hi Bayram,
An orgy of frog! Veeeery interesting..
Perhaps not a technically perfect photo, but the "Scramble Competition" makes it a major event ;-}
Well done & TFS!
Howard

birine yazıp birine yazmadan olmaz. sonuncu gibi bu da çok iyi bir çekim. eline sağlık. yalnız burda işler biraz karışık gibi geldi. bir fotoğrafçı yetmiyormuş gibi başlarından, bir de üçüncüyü görüyorum (notları okumuyormusun deme:) bu da benim tarzdan cevap). işleri zor gibi:)
selamlar.

Kurbagalarda da boyle rekabetler oldunu bilmiyordum dayi. sayende onu da gorduk:)...Eline saglik. Cypturk

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