Hemidactylus turcicus is a member of one of the most species-rich reptile genera and is known as an invasive species closely associated with humanized environments. Its phylogeography is often interpreted to be the result of recurrent human-mediated introductions. Çanakkale is the place that acts as a species corridor for the Anatolia peninsula. Farther, this place is connected with an adjacent island. Here, we tender the genetic structure of H. turcicus from both islands (Bozcaada) and the mainland of Çanakkale using mtDNA (Cyt b and COI gene regions). We used molecular tools to assess species identity and compare our sequences to a database containing various expertly identified species. We also applied DNA barcoding to report and release our data to the public. DNA barcoding is a reliable way to identify and store data on invasive species. Not surprisingly, specimens from Çanakkale genetically resemble other Mediterranean conspecifics from Italy, Greece, and Albania. Albeit, we found quite genetic differences between samples from Çanakkale and Adana. Not all cryptic lineages have been investigated taxonomically in H. turcicus. Researchers should implement genetic monitoring of specimens from its all-distributed area.

Amphibians and reptiles spend their winter months in the hibernation period under the ground in response to adverse weather conditions. It was established that some species of amphibians and reptiles are active before the periods when hibernation is supposed to end. One of the reasons for the occurrence of unusual winter activity in amphibian and reptile species may be that these species are very sensitive to changing temperature conditions. The effects of global warming on amphibians and reptiles are clearly visible, and some members of these groups may be active even in winter because of these effects. In this study, data on the unusual winter activity of Lissotriton schmidtleri, Mauremys rivulata, Testudo graeca, Hemidactylus turcicus, Mediodactylus kotschyi, Ophisops elegans and Ablepharus kitaibelii species living in Bozcaada, Çanakkale Province, were reported.

The Balkan terrapin, Mauremys rivulata, is a freshwater turtle. This reptile is exposed to many environmental pollutants and some infectious agents, including Haemogregarina stepanowi parasite. This study was conducted to determine the microscopic prevalence of haemogregarine infection in M. rivulata caught in three different localities (Bozcaada, Gökçeada, and Dardanos) in Çanakkale province of Turkey, and assessment of some risk factors. Twenty-four blood samples were collected, thin blood smears were prepared, and the presence of haemogregarine parasites microscopically was screened. Water samples were also taken from the habitats, and these samples were analyzed physiochemically and microbiologically. Morphological identification was made by detecting the sausage-shaped intra-cytoplasmic developmental stages of H. stepanowi, and thirteen of twenty-four turtles (54.2%) were found to be infected. The prevalence of H. stepanowi was detected as the highest (90.0%) in the Gökçeada district, where the water pollution is higher than in the other localities. A statistically significant relationship was observed between the distribution of the infection and the gender of the turtles, the temperature of the water, the number of faecal coliforms in water and the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water. A statistically significant difference was found between the localities in terms of the prevalence of H. stepanowi infection, and the infection was primarily detected in the Gökçeada district. This study has significance in providing information regarding haemoparasitic diseases of freshwater turtle, M. rivulata, in Turkey.

The effects of environmental pollution on three populations of the Balkan terrapin [Mauremys rivulata (Valenciennes, 1833)] from the Bozcaada, Gökçeada and Dardanos regions were evaluated. The morphological parameters of Balkan terrapins collected on each site were measured and blood samples were taken for haematological analysis and micronucleus detection. The physicochemical, microbiological and microelement analyses of the water samples from each region were conducted by standard methods. The highest red blood cell, white blood cell and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration values were seen in the samples from Gökçeada. The highest haemoglobin value was found in the samples originating from Bozcaada, whereas the highest haematocrit and mean corpuscular volume values were found in the animals from Dardanos. Based on the microbiological analysis of the water samples, the most polluted site was Gökçeada. The microelement contents of the water and blood samples were different at the three sites, the lowest being in the Gökçeada area. It was revealed that the percentage of red blood cell micronuclei and other nucleus abnormalities in the M. rivulata blood samples was the lowest also in the animals living in the region of Gökçeada.

The establishment of hematological profiles of animals taken from their natural environment or kept in captivity has great importance in determining the health status and biology of these species. Pollution in the habitat of reptiles and the impact of various diseases can be determined by analyzing blood parameters. In this study, the clinical hematology (erythrocyte and leukocyte count, erythrocyte types, differential blood formula, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) of three Nose-horned Vipers (Vipera ammodytes) captured from Vize (Kırklareli, Türkiye) were examined. We detected the frequency of nuclear abnormalities in this species for the first time. We also provide the first erythrometric measurements of Vipera ammodytes, and found that the erythrocyte sizes of this species were larger compared to other species in Viperidae. Knowledge of the general health status of animals is important in species conservation action plans and monitoring studies.

Longevity and age of sexual maturity are key life history trait factors directly linked to ecological and evolutionary aspects. In this study, we determined age structure of Parvilacerta parva individuals from Sivas (Turkey) using skeletochronology. The maximum age was found to be seven years for females and six years for males of P. parva. A significant relationship was found between age and body size in individuals whose head length, head width and body length were measured. Additionally, it was seen that there is a significant relationship among body length, head length and head width.