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A baby Balkan Green Lizard


A baby Balkan Green Lizard
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4173 W: 160 N: 5678] (15200)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-04-30
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Nikon Coolpix 5400
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Turkish Herpetofauna-II, Reptiles - Lizards, Chuckwallas, Agamas & Tegus 3 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-07-01 1:30
Viewed: 805
Points: 66
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Lacerta trilineata “ciliciensis” (Balkan Green Lizard) [in Turk. İri Yeşil Kertenkele, Yılan Ebesi] (A Baby, Juvenile)

A whole appearance in WS

A large and agile lizard with a snout typically narrow, but back of head is broad. In adult Balkan Green lizards, total length reaches up to about 33-50 cm, tail often twice body length or more (Snouth-vent length is approx. 16 cm or more). In first sight, it often likes a “big version” of the Green Lizard (Lacerta viridis). Thus these two lizard species can be very difficult to distinguish at times, especially as both are very variable. However they can be easily distinguished from each other. In Balkan Green Lizard, rostral plate typically in contact with nostrils; 2 postnasal plate; typically there are relatively “small scales in temporal region”, so numerous (often over 20). Dorsal scale number around the mid-body is between 42 and 55. The belly plates are arranged in “8 longitudinal rows”, the number of pores on the lower femoral region is ranged between 12 and 19. Supraciliary granules localized between supraocular plates and supraciliar scales are usually in a “continuous” and intermittent row.

Adults fairly uniform bright green (more rarely yellow or brownish) generally with fine black stippling on back. The belly is yellowish-white in males, pinkish yellow in females. In adult males, there may be a light blue coloration on the sides of head. Juveniles usually brown (babies frequently dark), often with three or five narrow light stripes (this number is 2 or 4 in Green Lizard!) or a few light spots on flanks, or dark spots on midback. The venter whitish, yellowish, light green or rarely bluish.

Balkan Green Lizard is present from coastal Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, inland to Serbia, east to Bulgaria, southeastern Romania, Albania, Macedonia, Greece (including the Ionian Islands and many Aegean Islands including Crete, Lesvos and Rhodes), and western and central Turkey. It ranges from sea level to at least 1,600 m asl.

Its natural habitats are Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, sandy shores, arable land, pastureland, plantations and rural gardens. It can also be found close to streams and ditches. Thanks to its large size, it feeds on a wide variety of invertebrates, including robust beetles and locusts. It is an egg-laying species and a female lays 7-18 eggs.

In Turkey, this species is represented with six subspecies.

1. L. t. cariensis – known from Izmir, Aydin and Denizli provinces.
2. L. t. ciliciensis – distributed in İçel (Mersin), Adana and Kahramanmaraş provinces.
3. L. t. diplochondrodes – known from the provinces of Muğla and Isparta.
4. L. t. dobrogica – known from Turkish Thrace.
5. L. t. galatiensis – known from the provinces of Ankara, Eskişehir and Kastamonu.
6. L. t. isaurica - distributed in Konya province.

Beyond this subspecific differentiation, there are also two closely related species in Turkey. One of them, Lacerta pamphylica (Pamphylic Green Lizard) which is distributed in the vicinity of Alanya (Antalya province situated in the west of the Mediterranean Anatolia) seems to be endemic for Anatolia. The other related, relatively semi-arboreal species, Lacerta media (Levant Green Lizard) is known from the eastern parts Central Anatolia (representing with the subspecies, L. m. media) plus Hatay province (representing with L. m. wolterstroffi). The later species also distributed in the Mediterranean ecozones of Syria (L. m. walterstroffi), Lebanon, Israel and Jordan. In Jordan, Israel end Lebanon it is represented with the race of L. m. israelica.

Bayram

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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. Disi, A. M., Modry, D., Necas, P. & Rifai, L. (2001). Amphibians and Reptiles of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Edition Chimaira, 408 pp.
4. Baran, I. & Atatür, M. K. (1998). Turkish Herpetofauna (Amphibians & Reptiles). Ministry of Environment, Ankara. 214 pp.
5. Schmidtler, J. F. (1986). Orientalische Smaragdeidechsen: 2. Über Systematic, synekologie von Lacerta trilineata, L. media, L. pamphylica (Sauria: Lacertidae). Salamandra, 22: 126-146.
6. Arnold, N.E. (1978). A Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Britain and Europe.Collins, London, UK, 288 pp.
zulfu, nkasot, bahadir, mayuresh, xTauruSx, goldyrs, Adanac, valy67, cypturk, eng55, ammodytes, haraprasan, jaycee, Gert-Paassen, uleko, Amadeo, yasemin, NinaM, Jamesp, montivipera, jpdenk, Juyona, maurydv, elif has marked this note useful
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To Jamesp: Hi JAMESboreocypriensis 1 07-01 22:18
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • zulfu Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 600 W: 0 N: 117] (669)
  • [2008-07-01 2:00]

Ergin dişinin ardından bu güzelim bebği de yüklemeniz iyi oldu hocam. Juvenilin baş detayları ile beraber tipik olan trilineat hali çok iyi görnüyor. Elinize sağlık.
Mehmet

Juvenil iri yeşil kertenkelenin önemli karakterlerini detaylı gösteren güzel bir makro olmuş hocam. BG harika görünüyor. Elinize emeğinize sağlık.
Nazım

very nice and detailed shot, nice colours and composition.
tfs Bayram! :-D
Ilias

Hi Bayram, this has amazing colours, it is so clear and sharp, an excellent image, well taken and well composed... regards h

Great close-up of a baby Balkan Green Lizard hocam. TFS.
Regards,
Bahadır

Hello Bayram,
wonderful shot of balkan green lizard with excellent details,perfect sharpness and amazing colours,
TFS

Nice shot. Beautiful colours and the details of the skin are clearly visible.

Nefis bir makro olmuş hocam. elinize sağlık.
Deniz

A very beautiful shot, my dearest brother!I am still looking for another shot for you!
Cheers!
Goldy

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1111 W: 1 N: 4518] (15132)
  • [2008-07-01 4:30]

Hello Bayram,
Splendid image showing great details and colors. Thanks for sharing this beautiful image.
Rick

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1107 W: 6 N: 3063] (11326)
  • [2008-07-01 4:38]

Hi Bayram,how is tender this little lizard! Beautifull portrait,excellent quality as your style and very interesting note about it,my best compliments,have a nice day my friend,LUCIANO

Hello Bayram !
What an excellent capture you have made of this beautiful lizard ! Excellent details, nice natural colors, perfect composition and POV, and I also like the pose of the lizard and his look - his eye is directly on you. He's cute. The focus seems to be on the back rather than on the face, but not a big problem, as the head is still sharp enough, and this way we can see all the details on the scales. Very well done !
Valerie.

Very well captured, the dried tree trunk is a excellent BG to show off the details on this little green lizard... Sharpness and presentation are very nice... tfs. kind regards, cypturk

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 474 W: 3 N: 474] (1475)
  • [2008-07-01 6:36]

Merhaba Bayram Bey,
Çok sevimli gözüküyor:)Detaylar,renkler,kadraj mükemmel.Ürkek bakışı çok güzel yakalamışsınız.
Selamlar,ellerinize sağlık!

ayy yerım ben onu gozune baak:D cok tatlı hocaam. ınsanın alıp evde besleyesı gelıyo:D:D hangı canlı olursa olsun her zaman küçükken daha tatlı oluyo nedense. elinize sağlık. cok cok beğendıım.
iyi calışmalar
filiz

hello bayram,
this shot looks like one from a real micro lens, you have got excellent sharpness with good details, each scale is visible clearly, nice eye contact,
well done,
tfs & regards
pankaj

Hi Bayram,
A nice capture of this beautiful baby lizard. Superb details and a lovely composition. Thanks a lot for sharing.

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1911 W: 8 N: 4976] (16095)
  • [2008-07-01 10:22]

Hi Bro,

A very nice green lizard with a beautiful face and eye. Excellent details of the face and the striped skin. Colors are wonderful. What a long tail he has as shown in the workshop. Love the feet in that version too.

Jane

Hello Bayram,

Suburp shot of this beauty from a Lizard.
Nice pov and good dof.

Gert

Hola Bayram , a pesar de que el primer plano estorba un poquito a la vista, el enfoque al reptil es de lo más delicado por lo bien captadas que están las texturas y colores. Buena luz y fondo.
Abrazo: J. Ignasi

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2585 W: 170 N: 7879] (24911)
  • [2008-07-01 13:11]

Hello Bayram,
What a beauty this is with a real twinkle in its eye! Very clear details and the pattern and colours are so beautiful. This is an exellent close-up and I really like your composition in the workshop too.
Many thanks and best wishes, Ulla

Hi brother...Excellent shot..Very clear detail and pattern...Colour is light and shiny...This makes the lizard look like a beautiful sympathetic creature. Information educational and useful...Well done..I am very proud of you...All the best, regards Leyla

  • Great 
  • Amadeo Gold Star Critiquer [C: 211 W: 0 N: 755] (3323)
  • [2008-07-01 14:31]

Hola Bayram, excelente detalle con muy buena luz y color. Un saludo

good sharpness details, regards
jo

  • Great 
  • NinaM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 655 W: 0 N: 1623] (5300)
  • [2008-07-01 17:10]

I didn't tell you but I love lizards, I think they are fantastic creatures and too bad there are none in my country. We have salamanders but they are harder to find! I am trying, looking along small streams, underneath leaves and rocks... yet, your picture is perfect, more than perfect, I like a lot the neatness and perfect focus on the lizard and the beautiful colours. Thank you!

Francine

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1305 W: 0 N: 5107] (15234)
  • [2008-07-01 22:14]
  • [+]

Hi Bayram

A great POV with excellent detail and exposure. Well seen and captured.

I have been away for a few days - sorry I missed some of your postings.


James

Merhaba Hocam,
Harika bir makro olmuş, elinize sağlık.
Saygılar
Naşit

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 996 W: 4 N: 2570] (11874)
  • [2008-07-02 3:58]

Hello Bayram, Oh WOW very good shot with superb eye focus. (you had not answered how do you give colors to your notes?). Lovely notes and superb presentation. Ganesh

Hi Bayram, splendid lizard with wonderful colors, fine details and excellent sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1888 W: 245 N: 6180] (22002)
  • [2008-07-02 12:50]

Hello Geckoman!
What a great shot of this baby lizard :-)
The detail in the scales is superb!
Very sharp and crisp.
Excellent shallow DOF.

Well done!

Joe

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1812 W: 29 N: 5246] (17188)
  • [2008-07-02 22:04]

Hi Bayram,
Wonderful shot of this elegant looking Balkan Green Lizard with such lovely colours and details on its scales. Looks beautiful in this pose and you have handled the lighting and exposure levels very well. Excellent DOF, POV and composition. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2108 W: 6 N: 2116] (13589)
  • [2008-07-06 7:00]

Hola amigo,
bello trabajo,
colores y estupendo foco...
exelente pov.
saludos

Ciao Bayram,
splendida composizione diagonale per questa bellissima giovane lucertola dallo sguardo curioso e timoroso, straordinaria definizione della "texture" in una messa a fuoco precisa e selettiva, fantastici i colori. Spero che tu stia passando delle bellissime, divertenti e festose giornate in Cipro.
TFS. Maurizio

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