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Palmyra's Beauty


Palmyra's Beauty
Photo Information
Copyright: Bayram Gocmen (boreocypriensis) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6774 W: 207 N: 2989] (9571)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2010-07-12
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Nikon D-80, AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED, @ ISO 320, SIGMA 62MM EX DG MC UV Filter
Exposure: f/16, 1/640 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Syrian Herpetofauna, CeltickRanger's favorite photos, Herpetofauna of the Middle East [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2010-07-24 16:27
Viewed: 5774
Favorites: 4 [view]
Points: 68
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Ptyodactylus guttatus (=P. lacazzi) (Spotted Fan-footed Gecko) [In Turk. Benekli Yelpazeayaklı Keler] (Female)

Today another gecko beauty from Syrian desert which we meet it in the antique Roman city Palmyra (Hims). I attached a WS to show you our trip head scarf ('Puschy') and Palmyra too:) This is the 2nd post of the species on TN. 1st post of a male individual uploaded by our friend, Ori Fragman Sapir from Israel.

TFL and Have a nice Sunday!
Cheers,

©Bayram GÖÇMEN, All Rights Reserved.

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

Spotted Fan-footed Gecko is middle-sized, relatively robust spotted gecko with distinctly triangular head and rather long extremities. Fan-like arrangement of adhesive lamellae is similar to other members of the genus, adhesive pads of P. guttatus are usually bigger than those of P. hasselquistii (Egyptian Fan-footed Gecko) and P. puiseuxi (Levant Fan-footed Gecko). Dorsal scales are very small, granular, with intermixed single-keeled tubercles surrounded by small granules. Tail is slender, shorter in length than head and body, with 31-35 caudal whorls. Males can be distinguished in having distinctly swollen hemipenial pouches, more slender appearance and larger heads. The ground colour is mostly pale grey, with light and dark spots and blotches of irregular size and shape, forming more or less expressed transverse rows and bars. Coloration of males is more contrast than that of females and juveniles.

Although some authors formerly considered P. guttatus to be a subspecies of P. hasselquistii, the specific level of this taxon is widely accepted at present. It is possible, that P. guttatus actually comprises several similar forms. Both natural and experimental hybrids of P. guttatus and P. puiseuxi have been reported from Israel. Although any hybridization process has not been reported in Jordanian populations, during our trip we observed some specimens showing hybrid features in Palmyra Antique City (Syria). Spotted Fan-footed Gecko is reported from N Sudan, Egypt, Sinai, Israel, Syria and Jordan. It occurs probably also in NW Saudi Arabia, along the coast of the Aqabah bay. According to me it is possible find these beauties in SE Anatolia (Turkey) near the Syrian border. The delimitation of the contact zone with P. puiseuxi needs further research.

Spotted Fan-footed Gecko inhabits rocky cliffs, steep margins of dry wadis, groups of large boulders and ruins. In contrast to P. hasselquistii, P. guttatus usually avoids urban areas and does not enter houses. It exhibits both a diurnal and nocturnal activity mode. Basking specimens can often be observed in the morning hours, later on, individuals are encountered usually along shady overhanging rocks and near entrances to deep crevices. Both sexes vocalize. Mating takes place predominantly in spring and early summer, females lay 3-4 clutches consisting of two hard-shelled, nearly spherical eggs stuck on the rock surface, usually in crevices or in shadow places of overhanging rocks. Usually, more females repeatedly use suitable sites; sometimes dozens to hundreds of remnants of hatched eggs can be found together. Food spectrum comprises various arthropods.

References:

1. Göçmen, B. (Unpub. results). The results of herpetological trips.
2. Disi, A. M., Modry, D., Necas, P. & Rifai, L. (2001). Amphibians and Reptiles of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Edition Chimaira, 408 pp.
3. Werner Y L. Sivan N. 1(996).. Systematics and zoogeography of Ptyodactylus (Reptilia: Sauria: Gekkonidae) in the levant: 3, experimental and natural hybrids of P. guttatus and P. puiseuxi. Israel Jornal of Zoology, 42 (2): 185-202.
4. Esterbauer,H. (1985). Zur Herpetofauna Südwestsyriens. Herpetofauna 7 (38): 23-34.
cypturk, ramthakur, kmr13777, nkasot, CatherineD, anemone, livius, haraprasan, bahadir, rommel, siggi, albert, caspian, maurydv, SMYRNA, CeltickRanger, yasemin, marius-secan, Noisette, montivipera, anel, cirano, jusninasirun has marked this note useful
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To fragman: hehe)boreocypriensis 1 07-25 01:01
To CatherineD: haha:)boreocypriensis 1 07-25 00:54
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Critiques [Translate]

Wowww.. what a beauty dayi! Just a fabulous pov! The gecko appears to be emerging from my monitor!
The focus is placed perfectly on the eye and overall body.
Very well composed.
Thanks for sharing this dayi.
Best regards! Enjoy your sunday!

Mel

Another veritable gem from the Syrian desert, Prof Bayram.
The Gecko is very beautiful and you have captured it so well it seems as if I'm seeing it with my own eyes.
I also like your WS picture in which you look fabs in the traditional Arab headgear.
Well done and TFS.
Ram

Hello Friend,
This is yet agaon a capture with brilliant details and you have done a great job in secluding the subject from the background. I loved the detail in the eye.

TFS

Kirti

great capture, TFS , waiting for the flowers! Ori

Müthiş.. bundan iyisi Şam'da kayısı hocam:) bu deyimin gerçek manasını da sayenizde öğrenmiştim. Var gücüyle yapışmış gibi duruyor kayaya. Ağzı açık vaziyette super yakalamışsınız. Enküçük, pul granül detayları dahi belirgin.
Ellerinize ve emeğinize sağlık. İyi pazarlar.
Nazım

Another perfect shot Bayram.
The exposure and composition couldn't be better.
Ther detail is great and your notes are comprehensive as usual.
Great post, TFS
Steve

Günaydın Bayram,
Very impressive beauty of Palmyra! So alive on my screen, specially with her open mouth. (We miss only the sound...). Sharpness incredible too MF. Great job. I'm sure you will look for this Ptyodactylus guttatus in Turkey when you will move to Harran.
I also like the WS with the two Arabs :) and Palmyra as background... Have a nice day,
Cathy

İyi Pazarlar Bayram hocam. Fotonun teknik kalitesi ve enstantanenin güzelliği bir yana, Suriye çölünde bir Roma şehri olabileceği aklıma gelmezdi. Ağzı açık halde çok güzel bir pozda müthiş detaylar ve nefis bir kompozisyon olmuş hocam. Bu güzeli TC sınırlarında da bulursanız şaşırmam.
Sizin gibi değerli bir hocam olduğu için gurur duyuyorum.
Sevgi ve saygılarımla.

Özgür

Hello MF Bayram
eccezionale definizione su questo bellissimo esemplare di Ptyodactylus guttatus. Ogni volta riesci a farci conoscere qualcosa di nuovo dai tuoi viaggi. Il piccolo rettile sembra quasi si sia messo in posa per farsi fotografare, anche se credo che siano molto timidi e per niente facili da immortalare. Ottimi i colori e la luce laterale che mette in evidenza tutti i particolari della pelle.
Livio

Selam my dear friend,
A nice capture of this beautiful Gecko. Lovely sharp details and a nice composition. Thanks a lot for sharing.

  • Great 
  • foozi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2791 W: 0 N: 6696] (25839)
  • [2010-07-25 1:58]

Merhaba MF Prof. Bayram,
excellent view again. How lovely to see this pleasant lizard in splendid pestel colours and superb sharpness.
The details of the skin and the lively gaping mouth is so well frozen.
Nice moment well captured and surrounding well intact.

Regards,
Foozi

Simplemente maravillosa Bayram !
A pesar que supongo que la mayoría de nosotros no sabemos mucho sobre reptiles. tus tomas son tan bellas que nos atraen. Siempre has sabido encontrar un bello atractivo equilibrio entre la luz y los colores, creo que forma parte de tu especial estilo. Precioso trabajo.
Saludos: Josep Ignasi.

Un grand Bravo pour toi Bayram
Un chef-d'œuvre
Merci de ce beau cadeau
Amicalement
Laurent

Off offf bu ne güzellik hocam. Zamanlamanız da müthiş. Gekkolara düşkünlüğümü bilirsiniz. Bu da benim Stenodactylus kadar muhteşem güzellikte bir tür imiş. Umarım Türkiye'de de buluruz:) İnsanın öpesi geliyor bu güzeli. Emeğinize ve ellerinize sağlık hocam. Saygılar,
Bahadır

Hi Bayram,
Nice angle and well caoptured with its mouth open just basking in the sun and waiting for some grub to come along.Nice seemingly soft skin texture with unique little bumps and skin patterns.
erwin...

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3097 W: 109 N: 12399] (52850)
  • [2010-07-25 3:47]

Hello MF Bayram.
This is a fantastic shot Le Anh. Very attractive colors and point of view you have. Excellent composition with fine background.
Very well done.Best regards Siggi

hello Bayram
a other super shot
where do you find so many ?
always you have a beauty to send
super pose with great details and great sharpness
i like this one to
greeting lou

Hello Bayram,
Excellent this photo from a laughing gecko !
Nothing to criticize
TFs this beauty
Albert

Merhaba Bayram hocam,

Çok mükemmel bir çekim.
Tüm detaylar gözler önünde.
Timsahların nehir kenarlarında ağızlarını açtıkları gibi, bu da serinlemek için ağzını açmış sanki:)
Herşeyi ile ustaca bir çekim.
Elinize sağlık üstad.

Selam ve saygılarımla,
Mehmet

Hallo MF Bayram,
another fantastic portrait, outstanding sharpnes with impressive detail, marvellous natural colours, excellent POV and a very pleasing with a very beautiful monochromatic colour tones, very well done.
TFS
Best regards
Maurizio

Vayyyy kanka müthiş bir foto bu. Tam National Geographic'lik.
Kapak olacak bir foto. Emeğine sağlık kardeşim.
Gökhan

Ciao BBB. OUTSTANDING! One of your better MF!

Roberto

hello Bayram

WOW ! you should participate to nature photo competitions
with your last series of lizard photos, WOW ! another great one
photo shiot at the best moment with th mouth open,
with superb POV, DOF, focus, sharpness & details, TFS

Asbed

Bayram.. Magnificent shot! such lovely colors and wonderful sharpness...it seem to be made of jelly:)
TFS and regards brother..
Leyla

  • Great 
  • nagraj Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1618 W: 106 N: 3208] (15166)
  • [2010-07-25 8:27]

Hi,
Very beautiful species of gecko, well captured with good viewpoint and lovely details. tfs.
nagraj.v

Hello Bayram,
Another beauty with outstanding colours and details. Wonderful capture with very good
focus and great background.
Marius.

Ciao Bayram, an other fantastic beauty from you, wonderful capture against a beautfiul blurry BG, fine details and splendid sharpness, bravissimo, very well done my friend, ciao Silvio

Suriye'den nefis bir Ptyodactylus daha. Bu Ori'nin erkekten daha güzel görünüyor. Bu daha bir kuzeyli galiba. Kuyruğun bir kısmı rejenere sanırım. Gekkonidlerin kaderi. Puşi de yakışmış:)) Elinize sağlık
Ömer.

Merhaba Bayram
WOW it's a fanastic shot ! the details are amazing, but also the colors, the pose and the composition are excellent
very great capture, thanks a lot for sharing
Have a good night
Jacqueline

Bayram hocam, muhteşem bir poz ve muhteşem bir gecko.
Ellerinize ve emeğinize sağlık. Saygılarımla.
Naşit

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 3053 W: 3 N: 8715] (40574)
  • [2010-07-26 5:33]

Hello Bayram,
What a beautiful shot!! And a cute creature with its mouth open..it looks so vivid.
Perfect composition and beautiful natural tints. Perfect!
Kind regards
Anne

Selamlar sayın hocam,
adeta mini bir timsah gibi çıkmış
harika bir kare.

  • Great 
  • cirano Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 997 W: 0 N: 944] (13609)
  • [2010-07-28 12:56]

Bu harika!...
renkler,detaylar,netlik ve kadraj yerleşimi gerçekten çok çok iyi.Eline emeğine sağlık dostum.
Bi slavên germ,
Dûrzan

Hello my friend Bayram.
This is another beautiful specimen delivered to TN. The colors and details are simply fabulous.
Nice capture and the closeness of the framing is so pleasing.
Thanks and kind regards - Jusni

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