NORTH-WESTERN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY 7 (2): 291-296 ©NwjZ, Oradea, Romania, 2011 Article No.: 111137 www.herp-or.uv.ro/nwjz

Distribution and morphology of ventromaculatus (Gray, 1834) (Serpentes: ) in south-eastern Anatolia,

Mehmet Zülfü YILDIZ

Zoology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Osmanbey Campus, Harran University, 63300 Şanlıurfa, Turkey. E-mail: [email protected]

Received: 11. August 2011 / Accepted: 30. October 2011 / Available online: 30. October 2011

Abstract. Four specimens of Platyceps ventromaculatus from three localities were examined in terms of morphometry and pholidosis. They are deposited in the Zoology Museum of Harran University. The taxonomic status of the is discussed and it is concluded that the current status is valid and with this study for the first time the occurrence of the species in Turkey is confirmed. In addition, the known distribution area of the species in south-eastern Anatolia is extended as a result of these new localities.

Key Words: Platyceps ventromaculatus, Gray’s racer, distribution, south-eastern Anatolia, Şanlıurfa.

Introduction mens were deposited in 96% ethanol according to Göçmen et al. (2007). Later, they were numbered and de- Gray’s racer, Platyceps ventromaculatus (Gray, posited in the Zoology Museum of Harran University (ZMHRU). 1834), is a rare species in Turkey. It is widespread Mensural, meristic and qualitative data were re- throughout south-western Asia from northern In- corded following Khan (1997). Measurements: snout-vent dia to Turkey (Baran 1982, Leviton et al. 1992) and length (SVL: from anterior tip of snout to anterior lip of distributed in (Reed & Marx 1959), , anal aperture), total length (TTL: from anterior tip of and in (Al-Sadoon 1989, snout to posterior tip of tail), tail length (TL: from poste- Leviton et al. 1992, Sindaco et al. 2000, Soorae rior lip of anal aperture to tip of tail), head length (HL: 2004, Soorae et al. 2010), (Latifi 1991, from tip of snout to posterior margin of the last su- pralabial), head width (HW: at the level of the last su- Rastegar-Pouyani et al. 2008), (Disi 1996, pralabial). Pholidotic features: dorsals were counted at El-Oran et al. 1994, Al-Quran 2009), midbody and just anterior of the vent on both sides of the (Khan 1997, Khan 2004, Ghalib et al. 2008, Rais et same ventral plate, first broader than long plate in the gu- al. 2011), Syria (Disi & Böhme 1996). In south- lar region was counted as the first ventral. Bilateral char- eastern Anatolia it was first recorded by Baran acters were counted on both the left and right sides and (1982) with only one specimen and Arıkan et al. then averaged. All pholidotic features were examined us- (2009) studied the blood cell morphology of P. ven- ing a stereo microscope. Morphological measurements, except snout-vent length, were performed using a modi- tromaculatus. Apart from these studies, there have fied digital calliper (Mitutuyo 573-612) to minimize meas- been no others on P. ventromaculatus in Anatolia. urement errors caused by oblique characters, with an accu- However, in other distribution areas the taxo- racy of 0.01 mm, by one repetition. SVL was measured to nomic status of P. ventromaculatus is inconsistent the nearest millimetre using a ruler. The exact location of (Khan 1997, Schätti & Schmitz 2006). Usually, the a specimen was detected by GPS receiver (Magellan XL). species is difficult to distinguish from P. Data on colour patterns were recorded from living ani- rhodorachis (Jan, 1865) and P. karelini (Brandt, 1838) mals. Sex was determined by the presence or absence of hemipenis. (Latifi 1991, Leviton et al. 1992, Khan 1997, Khan &

Khan 2000, Schätti 2006). Material list (n=4): The present study investigates the morphol- ZMHRU 3/2003 (n=1), Büyükağacı village, Suruç, Şanlı- ogy, distribution and of P. ventromacula- urfa province, 499 m a.s.l. (36°56΄06.32”N, 38°34΄08.64E), tus in south-eastern Anatolia and some data on the 23 April 2003, Leg. Unknown. ecological features of its habitat are given. ZMHRU 02/2006 (n=1), Harran ruins, Harran, Şanlı- urfa province, 373 m a.s.l. (36°51΄53.82"N, 39°01΄44.66E), 06 May 2006, Leg. M.Z. Yıldız, E.A. Yağmur. Materials and Methods ZMHRU 11/2011 (n=1), Harran ruins, Harran, Şanlı- urfa province, 368 m a.s.l. (36°52΄01.22"N, 39°02΄03.12E), We collected four specimens at three localities in Şanlı- 26 March 2011, Leg. M.Z. Yıldız, A. Parmaksız, H. Çalış. urfa Province between May 2006 and May 2011. Digital ZMHRU 31/2011 (n=1) General Directorate of Agri- images of the specimens were taken and then all speci- cultural Enterprises, Ceylanpınar, Şanlıurfa province, 376 292 Yildiz, M.Z. m a.s.l. (36°51΄59.73“N, 40°00΄05.13E), 01 April 2011, Leg. presubocular is generally smaller than loreal. Nine M.Z. Yıldız, A.F. Özcan, H. Yaşar, M.S. Arslan. supralabials except on right side of the Büyüka- All localities are shown in Fig.1. ğacı specimen (ZMHRU 3/2003) and left side of

the Ceylanpınar specimen that has eight su-

pralabials (ZMHRU 31/2011). Supralabials touch Results loreal. Two postoculars; the upper is slightly lar- We collected four specimens. One of these speci- ger than the lower. Temporals are 2-2/2-2 and the mens (ZMHRU 02/2006) had 580 mm SVL and lower is larger than the upper in all specimens. A was a female. The other specimens were juvenile row of granules is between anterior inframaxillars. individuals (SVL 235, 250 and 322 mm respec- and three rows between posterior inframaxillars. tively); for this reason morphological comparison Ventrals range 193-203, anal plate divided and could not be made between sexes. All specimens subcaudals are 87-93 pairs. Smooth dorsal scales in were evaluated together. SVL range 235-580 mm, 19 rows at midbody, reduced to 13-16 at vent. All TL range 72-179 mm and TTL range 307-759 mm. data are given in Table 1. HL/SVL range 0.03-0.04 and TL/SVL range 0.30- A dark spot on loreal (more pronounced in ju- 0.31. Ratio of eye diameter to SVL is 0.1. Head is veniles) (Fig.2c,d) a black transverse zigzag band 1.42-1.52 times longer than broad. Head distinct across interorbitals (Fig. 2a), an oblique stripe on from neck, long tail with gradual taper with a fine supralabials below the eye and another on the tip. Rostral is 1.31-1.46 times broader than high, temple (Fig. 2c,d), variably shaped small dark and enters little between internasals. Internasal su- spots on the parietals, an 11 scales long dark ture is slightly shorter than prefrontals (Fig. 2a). nuchal streak. Dorsal ground colour is yellowish Frontal is 0.31-0.34 times as long as head. Su- brown with 63-79 transverse dark blotches praoculars are 2.03-2.09 times longer than wide. throughout the trunk and a lateral series of oblong Loreal is almost square in two specimens bars and a row of dark spots on the last dorsal and (ZMHRU 3/2003 and ZMHRU 31/2011), in the outer edges of ventrals (Fig. 2h,l). First ten other two specimens longer than high or higher blotches are three dorsal scales long and equal in than long, and situated on second and third su- width with the intervening light spaces, the pralabials and without contacts with presubocu- blotches following the first ten are two or fewer lar. Nasals, two; preocular is single and except on dorsal scales long and narrower than the interven- the left side of one Harran specimen (ZMHRU ing spaces. Although in juveniles in the first few 02/2006) is in contact with the frontal. The single dark blotches the sooty pigment is uniformly

Figure 1. Distribution of P. ventromaculatus in Şanlıurfa province, south-eastern Ana- tolia, Turkey. Circles refer to old localities and squares to new localities. 1: Hamza- baba village, central district, Şanlıurfa province (Baran, 1982), 2. Viranşehir district, Şanlıurfa (Ilgaz et al. 2008), 3. Büyükağacı village, Suruç district, Şanlıurfa, 4. Har- ran district, Şanlıurfa, 5. Ceylanpınar district Şanlıurfa. Distribution and morphology of Platyceps ventromaculatus 293

Table 1. Some metric (mm) and meristic characters of investigated specimens. SD: Standard deviation, Min: Minimum, Max: Maximum.

N Mean SD Min Max Snout-vent length 4 346.75 160.07 235 580 Tail length 4 105.50 50.02 72 179 Total Schätti length 4 452.25 210.06 307 759 Head length 4 12.57 3.17 10.47 17.25 Head width 4 8.57 2.46 6.88 12.12 Rostral length 4 1.97 0.44 1.57 2.57 Rostral width 4 2.69 0.75 2.06 3.77 Frontal length 4 4.09 0.86 3.52 5.35 Supraocular length 8 3.88 0.87 3.09 5.24 Supraocular width 8 1.84 0.41 1.48 2.58 Horizontal eye diameter 8 2.79 0.63 2.3 3.98 Supralabial 8 9 0.52 8 9 Dorsals 4 19 0.00 19 19 Dorsals at anterior of the vent 4 15 1.29 13 16 Gulars 4 5 1.00 3 5 Ventrals 4 197 4.35 193 203 Subcaudals 4 90 3.46 87 93 Blotches on trunk 4 69 7.04 63 79

deposited over the whole scale (Fig. 2e), in adult substrate of Suruç district is generally karstic and the centre of each dark scale is generally lighter has semiarid steppe vegetations (Fig. 3d). (Fig. 2f,g). Dark blotches gradually disappear to- wards the tail (Fig. 2m). Tail without pattern, only some small spots. Venter clear yellow or ivory Discussion white with irregular small black spots on the outer edge of some ventral plates (Fig. 2k,l) but subcau- The taxonomic status of Gray’s racer, P. ventro- dals spotless (Fig. 2n). maculatus, is controversial among herpetologist Both Harran specimens were captured under (Latifi 1991, Khan 1997, 2004, Schätti & Schmitz stones in the historical Harran ruins (Fig. 3c). Sam- 2006). Platyceps ventromaculatus, P. rhodorachis and pling event from 26 March 2011 took place at noon P. karelini are generally confused due to their du- (11:00-12:00) at 24°C air temperature. Sympatric bious colour variation and overlapping scale species comprised Acanthodactylus harranensis counts (Latifi 1991, Leviton et al. 1992, Khan 1997, Baran et al., 2005, Asaccus barani Torki et al., 2011, Khan & Khan 2000; Schätti 2006). Disi et al. (1999) Cyrtopodion scabrum (Heyden, 1827), Eumeces emphasized that P. ventromaculatus is hardly to be schneideri (Daudin, 1802), Leptotyphlops macrorhyn- distinguished from the North African and Near chus (Jan & Sordelli, 1860), Ophisops elegans Menet- Eastern racers commonly referred to as P. rogersi. ries, 1832, Pseudepidalea variabilis (Laurenti, 1768), According to Khan (1997), P. ventromaculatus re- Trachylepis aurata (Linnaeus, 1758). ported from west of the Indus are actually colour The Ceylanpınar specimen was captured un- morphs of P. rhodorachis but Schätti (2006) as- der a stone in the General Directorate of Agricul- sessed 177 specimens from Syria to the Arabian tural Enterprises area in late afternoon (16:00- Peninsula, Golestan and Iran and showed that the 17:00) at 30°C air temperature (01 April 2011) (Fig. specimens were distributed from the Levant to the 3b). Substrate of soil was karstic and carried Caspian region and should be included to P. ven- steppe vegetation. Sympatric species comprised tromaculatus. Schätti (2004) and Schätti (2006) ana- Leptotyphlops macrorhynchus (Jan & Sordelli, 1860), lyzed a larger sample of Rogers’ racer, P. rogersi, Ophisops elegans Menetries, 1832, Pseudocyclophis and concluded that it may be conspecific with P. persicus (Anderson, 1872), Trachylepis aurata (Lin- ventromaculatus. Nagy et al. (2004) studied mito- naeus, 1758), Trachylepis vittata (Olivier, 1804), chondrial and nuclear DNA of racers and Trapelus ruderata (Oliver, 1805). whipsnakes. Their findings were of a strongly The Suruç specimen was found in ZMHRU supported sister taxon relationship between P. ka- without details of the colleting area but the soil relini and P. rogersi but not between P. karelini and

294 Yildiz, M.Z.

Figure 2: Some detailed photographs of P. ventromaculatus specimens after fixation. (f: ZMHRU: 02/2006, Harran specimen, e: k: l: ZMHRU: 31/2011, Ceylanpınar specimen and the other photos: ZMHRU 11/2011, Harran specimen)

Figure 3. A.) General aspect of P. ventromaculatus from Ceylanpınar, Şanlıurfa (ZMHRU 31/2011), B.) General view of biotope from Ceylanpınar, C.) General aspect of biotope from Harran, D.) Gen- eral view of biotope from Suruç.

P. rhodorachis as asserted by Khan (1997). Their Platyceps ventromaculatus was recorded at study refused the claim of Khan (1997) who as- Hamzababa village, Ceylanpınar, Şanlıurfa by serted that P. ventromaculatus reported from west Baran (1982) but Hamzababa village is on the bor- of the Indus were actually colour morphs of P. der of central Şanlıurfa not in Ceylanpınar (see rhodorachis. Fig. 1). It is nearly 4 km away southeast of the Vi- Distribution and morphology of Platyceps ventromaculatus 295 ranşehir district border and nearly 8 km away 2e), in adults pigment distribution is compatible northeast of the Ceylanpınar district border there- with the data given by Khan (1997). Minton (1962) fore it is normal to make such an error. For this and Khan (1997) demonstrated that P. ventromacu- reason, this is the first time it was recorded for latus could be distinguished with its vertebral dark Harran district, Suruç district and also Ceylanpı- stripe on the neck. All our specimens had this col- nar district. Ilgaz et al. (2008) included a specimen our pattern. All metric characteristic data are con- of P. ventromaculatus from Viranşehir, Şanlıurfa in sistent with those given by other authors (Baran a sympatric species list of Varanus griseus (Daudin, 1982, Al-Sadon 1989, Tiedemann 1991, Leviton et 1803) but did not report any of its morphological al. 1992, Khan 1997, Schätti 2006, Schätti & Schmitz characters. 2006). Therefore, the taxonomic status and occur- Khan & Khan (2000) reported from Pakistan rence of P. ventromaculatus in Turkey are valid. individuals of 738-913 mm TTL and Al-Sadoon This is significant because a single unrepeated find (1989) of 970 mm TTL from Al-Riyadh and Al- such as Baran’s (1982) could potentially resulted Diriyah in Saudi Arabia. According to Schätti & from an introduced individual, perhaps escaped Schmitz (2006) the longest specimen, ca 1.2 m, was from captivity from a scientist or amateur who recorded by Ingoldby & Procter (1923). In their brought it from another country. By this study for study, they noted ca 940 mm SVL for a female. the first time the occurrence of the species in Tur- Tiedemann (1991) noted 633 mm SVL from Sir key is confirmed with four new specimens and Bani Yas in the United Arab Emirates and Baran moreover, the presence of juvenile individuals is (1982) recorded 447 mm SVL from central Şanlı- proving to be a breeding population in Turkey. urfa in Turkey. SVL values ascertained in this Sometimes, it is given a record from a locality with study were 235-580 mm and thus consistent with a single specimen and then new specimens can not the data given by other studies. be found there any more. For example Werner Baran (1982), Tiedemann (1991) and Khan (1995) reported Ptyodactylus guttatus Heyden, 1827 (1997) recorded 199, 207 and 195-220 ventrals, re- from Cyprus, P. hasselquistii krameri Werner, 1995 spectively. Schätti (2006) reported 190-220 ven- from Lebanon, but only a single individual from trals. Subcaudals recorded were 80, 95, 82-119, and each species. Today we are not still sure about the 97-124 by Baran (1982), Tiedemann (1991), Khan origin of these hidden populations, or perhaps (1997) and Schätti (2006) respectively. All these they were introduced. numbers of ventrals and subcaudals are compati- Khan & Khan (2000) described two subspecies ble with those from the present study. According of P. ventromaculatus (P. v. bengalensis and P. v. in- to Khan (1997) and Schätti (2006) the loreal scale dusai) but their description was not clear and per- was generally longer than high but I found that it haps doubtful as Khan did not list these subspe- was almost square in two specimens and in the cies in his later study (Khan 2002). Schätti & other two either longer than high or higher than Schmitz (2006) pointed out that these subspecies long so that loreal scale shape is not characteristic were doubtful and presented inconsistent scale for Turkey specimens. data so that in this study, I did not treat this con- According to Khan (1997) the blotches on the troversial issue. trunk were broader than intervening spaces but In this study, the taxonomic status of P. ven- Schätti (2006) stated that in particular on the pos- tromaculatus has been discussed, its occurrence in terior part of the body these blotches are narrower south-eastern Anatolia has been confirmed, its than the light intervals. In our specimens the first morphological characters have been determined ten blotches were broader than the intervals but to and the new distribution limit of P. ventromacula- the posterior of the body blotches were narrower tus has extended the known range of the species than the light intervals. Blotches got thinner to- within south-eastern Anatolia by ca. 100 km to wards the posterior of the body and disappeared west and 40 km to east. towards the end of the tail. Our finding is consis- tent with the data given by Schätti (2006). Khan

(1997) stated that sooty pigment is deposited on Acknowledgements. This work is a part of a project the periphery of the scales, leaving their centres (Project No: Hübak 1111) supported by HÜBAK (Harran clear. In the Turkish specimens, although in juve- University Scientific Research Projects Commission). I niles on the first few dark blotches sooty pigment would like to express my gratitude to Yehudah L. is uniformly deposited on the whole scale (see Fig. WERNER (Department of Ecology, Evolution and

296 Yildiz, M.Z.

Behavior, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and the Khan, M.S. (2004): Annotated Checklist of Amphibians and Museum of Zoology, Senckenberg-Dresden) for his of Pakistan. Asiatic Herpetological Research 10: 191-201. valuable suggestions, technical assistance and for Khan, M.S., Khan, A.Q. (2000): Three new subspecies of of Coluber from Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Zoology 32:49- improving the English of the manuscript. I thank Ersen 52. Aydın YAĞMUR (Biology Department of Ege University, Latifi, M. (1991): The snakes of Iran. Society for the Study of İzmir), Ress. Asist. Arif PARMAKSIZ (Biology Amphibians and Reptiles, Athens (Ohio, USA) [Translated from Department of Harran University, Şanlıurfa) and our Persian]. undergraduate students: Hatice ÇALIŞ, Abdullah Furkan Leviton, A.E., Anderson, S.C., Adler, K., Minton, S.A. (1992): Handbook to Middle East Amphibians and Reptiles. Society for ÖZCAN, Hüseyin YAŞAR, Mehmet Sıddık ARSLAN for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Publications, Oxford, helping in field trips and Assist. Prof. Dr. Nazmiye Ohio, USA. GÜREL (Western Languages and Literatures Department Minton, S.A. (1962): An annotated key to the amphibians and of Harran University, Şanlıurfa) for improving the reptiles of Sind and Las Bela, West Pakistan. American Museum English of the manuscript. Novitates 2081: 1-60. Nagy, Z.T., Lawson, R., Joger, U., Wink, M. (2004): Molecular systematic of racers, whipsnakes and relatives (Reptilia: Colubridae) using mitochondrial and nuclear markers. Journal

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