Burak Ali Çiçek - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Burak Ali Çiçek

Frontiers in Marine Science

Major invasions of Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans and P. miles) are underway in the West... more Major invasions of Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans and P. miles) are underway in the Western Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. While the establishment of lionfish in the Western Atlantic is perhaps the most well-studied marine fish invasion to date, the rapidly expanding invasion in the Mediterranean is more recent and has received less attention. Here we review and synthesize successes and failures from two decades of lionfish management in the Western Atlantic to give policy recommendations for their management in the Mediterranean. Two failed approaches that were attempted multiple times in the Western Atlantic and that we advise against are (1) feeding lionfish to native fish to promote predation and (2) implementing bounty programs to incentivize lionfish harvest. Broadly, the most important management lessons that we recommend include (1) conducting routine removals by spearfishing with scuba, which can effectively suppress local abundances of lionfish; (2) enc...

Cheilodipterus novemstriatus (Ruppell, 1838), is native to the Indo-Pacific region. These species... more Cheilodipterus novemstriatus (Ruppell, 1838), is native to the Indo-Pacific region. These species can be found mostly around the spines of Diadema setosum (Leske, 1778) between 0-40 m in depth. During a scientific diving survey in the Gulf of Iskenderun, a shoal of C. novemstriatus was sighted around a D. setosum. Some photographs of the fish and sea urchin were taken. This is the second study that reports these two species in a symbiotic relationship in Turkish waters. Also, these records show that the Mediterranean coasts are in a rapid tropicalization process, and the Lessepsian species quickly adapt to the Mediterranean.

On May 14, 2020, a stonefish (Synanceia verrucosa Bloch & Schneider, 1801) was caught using a spe... more On May 14, 2020, a stonefish (Synanceia verrucosa Bloch & Schneider, 1801) was caught using a speargun in Kumyalı in the north of Cyprus Island. The fish was photographed and reported. On November 19, 2020, red-banded seabream (Pagrus auriga Valenciennes, 1843) was caught with a speargun near Girne (Kyrenia) Harbour. The fish is stored in the laboratory of the Eastern Mediterranean University, Department of Biological Sciences. These records are the first from the waters of Cyprus. The record of stonefish is an issue to be considered since its spines are quite poisonous.

Frontiers in Marine Science, 2021

The silver-cheeked toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus, from the pufferfish family Tetraodontidae) ... more The silver-cheeked toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus, from the pufferfish family Tetraodontidae) and the Pacific red lionfish (Pterois miles, family Scorpaenidae) have recently invaded the Mediterranean Sea. Lagocephalus sceleratus has spread throughout this entire sea with the highest concentrations in the eastern basin, while more recently, Pterois miles has spread from the Eastern to the Central Mediterranean Sea. Their effects on local biodiversity and fisheries are cause for management concern. Here, a comprehensive review of predators of these two species from their native Indo-Pacific and invaded Mediterranean and Western Atlantic ranges is presented. Predators of Tetraodontidae in general were reviewed for their native Indo-Pacific and Western Atlantic ranges, as no records were found specifically for L. sceleratus in its native range. Tetraodontidae predators in their native ranges included mantis shrimp (Stomatopoda), lizardfish (Synodus spp.), tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvi...

Animal Conservation, 2021

Estimating life-history traits and understanding their variation underpins the management of long... more Estimating life-history traits and understanding their variation underpins the management of long-lived, migratory animals, while knowledge of recovery dynamics can inform the management of conservation-dependent species. Using a combination of nest counts and individual-based life-history data collected since 1993, we explore the drivers underlying contrasting population recovery rates of sympatrically nesting loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) turtles in North Cyprus. We found that nest counts of loggerhead and green turtles from 28 beaches across the island increased by 46% and 162%, respectively over the past 27 years. A Bayesian state-space model revealed that, at our individual-based monitoring site, nesting of green turtles increased annually at four times the rate of that of loggerhead turtles. Furthermore, we found that loggerhead turtles nesting at the individual-based monitoring site had stable reproductive parameters and average adult survival for the species and are the smallest breeding adults globally. Based on results from multiple matrix model scenarios, we propose that higher mortality rates of individuals in all age classes (likely driven by differences in life history and interaction with fisheries), rather than low reproductive output, are impeding the recovery of this species. While the increase in green turtles is encouraging, the Mediterranean population is estimated to have around 3,400 adults and is restricted to the Eastern Basin. The recovery of loggerhead turtles is likely to be compromised until mortality rates in the region are adequately quantified and mitigated. As survival of immature individuals is a powerful driver for sea turtle population numbers, additional efforts should target management at pelagic and neritic foraging areas. Understanding threats faced by immature life stages is crucial to accurately parameterise population models and to target conservation actions for long-lived marine vertebrates.

Commagene Journal of Biology, 2020

The Bigeye Thresher Shark Alopias superciliosus Lowe, 1841 is one of the largest shark species fo... more The Bigeye Thresher Shark Alopias superciliosus Lowe, 1841 is one of the largest shark species found in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans. They also have started to be seen in the Mediterranean Sea since the 1980s. The presence of two different species of Thresher sharks in Turkish waters is known, which are A. vulpinus and A. superciliosus. Thresher sharks can easily be distinguished from other shark species with their big tails. A juvenile female specimen of A. superciliosus with a total length of 240 cm was caught incidentally in Mersin Bay in January 2020. Essential measurements of the fish were fulfilled and the specimen was deposited in the Museum of the Systematic, Faculty of Fisheries, Mersin University (catalog number: MEUFC-20-11-127). This study is the first record of A. superciliosus in Mersin Bay.

Marine Science and Technology Bulletin, 2021

Toxicon, 2019

Lagocephalus sceleratus from the family Tetraodontidae, which is originated from the Red Sea, sta... more Lagocephalus sceleratus from the family Tetraodontidae, which is originated from the Red Sea, started to migrate to Mediterranean waters after the opening of the Suez Channel in 1869. Since they do not have any predators in the Mediterranean Sea, their population increased in number very fast. Different tissues of L. sceleratus have tetrodotoxin (TTX). TTX is a non-protein, heat resistant molecule which binds to voltage-gated sodium channels of musculatory and nervous system. Ingestion of the fish can cause a wide variety of effects from mild toxications to death. This study is the first toxicity report of L. sceleratus for Cyprus. Due to the lack of data on toxicity levels of L. sceleratus, and some cases of poising after the ingestion of the fish were the reasons for the start of this work. 24 L. sceleratus were sampled from 3 different areas to represent Northern Cyprus, during one year period. 16 fish samples selected and grouped into 4 fishes per season for toxicity assay. TTX levels from liver, gonad, intestine, muscle and skin tissue homogenate were analyzed with TTX ELISA. Totally 80 tissues were analyzed, 40% of them were above the toxic limit (2.2 μg/g). Most toxic tissue, according to the seasonal average, was found in the summer season and was determined as; Liver ¼ 13.48 μg/g. Most toxic three fishes were found to be female with a length of 45-60 cm. TTX distribution among tissues have similarities with previously published studies from different regions.

Human Ecology, 2018

Fisheries depredation by marine mammals is an economic concern worldwide. We combined questionnai... more Fisheries depredation by marine mammals is an economic concern worldwide. We combined questionnaires, acoustic monitoring, and participatory experiments to investigate the occurrence of bottlenose dolphins in the fisheries of Northern Cyprus, and the extent of their conflict with set-nets, an economically important metier of Mediterranean fisheries. Dolphins were present in fishing grounds throughout the year and were detected at 28% of sets. Net damage was on average six times greater where dolphins were present, was correlated with dolphin presence, and the associated costs were considerable. An acoustic deterrent pinger was tested, but had no significant effect although more powerful pingers could have greater impact. However, our findings indicate that effective management of fish stocks is urgently required to address the overexploitation that is likely driving depredation behaviour in dolphins, that in turn leads to net damage and the associated costs to the fisheries.

PeerJ, 2017

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3954.].

Diversity and Distributions, 2016

Aim It is difficult to mitigate threats to marine vertebrates until their habitat use is understo... more Aim It is difficult to mitigate threats to marine vertebrates until their habitat use is understood. We report on a decade of satellite tracking loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) from an important nesting site to determine priority habitats for their protection in a region where they are known to be heavily impacted by fisheries. Location Cyprus, Eastern Mediterranean. Method We tracked 27 adult female loggerheads between 2001 and 2012 from North Cyprus nesting beaches. To eliminate potential biases, we included females nesting on all coasts of our study area, at different periods of the nesting season and from a range of size classes. Results Foraging sites were distributed over the continental shelf of Cyprus, the Levant and North Africa, up to a maximum distance of 2100 km from nesting sites. Foraging sites were clustered in (1) near-shore waters of Cyprus and Syria, (2) offshore waters of Egypt and (3) offshore and near-shore regions of Libya and Tunisia. The North Cyprus and west Egypt/east Libyan coasts are important areas for loggerhead turtles during migration. Movement patterns within foraging sites strongly suggest benthic feeding in discrete areas. Early nesters visited other rookeries in Turkey, Syria and Israel where they likely laid further clutches. Tracking suggests minimum annual mortality of 11%, comparable to other fishery-impacted loggerhead populations. Main conclusions This work further highlights the importance of neritic habitats of Libya and Tunisia as areas likely used by loggerhead turtles from many of the Mediterranean rookeries and where the threat of fisheries bycatch is high. Our tracking data also suggest that anthropogenic mortalities may have occurred in North Cyprus, Syria and Egypt; all within near-shore marine areas where small-scale fisheries operate. Protection of this species across many geopolitical units is a major challenge and documenting their distribution is an important first step.

Environment, Development and Sustainability, 2014

The island of Cyprus has been divided since 1974 into the Turkish Cypriot north and the Greek Cyp... more The island of Cyprus has been divided since 1974 into the Turkish Cypriot north and the Greek Cypriot south. Here, we have reconstructed the total marine fishery removals for the island in its entirety, and then for each side. Cyprus's total marine fisheries catches were reconstructed for the 1950-2010 time period by estimating all fishery removals, including unreported commercial, subsistence and recreational catches, and major discards. These estimates were added to the 'officially reported' data, as represented by data submitted by countries to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Such data were submitted by the south, but were absent from the north for years following the 1974 partitioning of the island. The total reconstructed catch for 1950-2010 was nearly 243,000 t, which is 2.6 times the 93,200 t officially reported by FAO on behalf of Cyprus. The unreported components consisted of nearly 57,000 t of large-scale commercial landings, 43,000 t of small-scale commercial landings, 11,000 t each for recreational and subsistence landings and nearly 28,000 t of discards. Improving the accuracy of fishery statistics by accounting for all removals is fundamental for better understanding fisheries resource use thus increasing the opportunities for sustainable development through enhancing fisheries management capacity.

This paper provides the first comprehensive checklist of the seaweeds of Cyprus, based on both li... more This paper provides the first comprehensive checklist of the seaweeds of Cyprus, based on both literature records and new collections. The total number of species and infraspecific taxa currently accepted is 313, including 53 green algae (Ulvophyceae), 90 brown algae (Phaeophyceae), and 170 red algae (Rhodophyta). Among them, 30 taxa are reported for the first time from Cyprus: 7 green algae, 9 brown algae, and 14 red algae, while 9 taxa are regarded as aliens. In addition, 10 taxa pending confirmation of their presence, 3 excludenda, and 3 inquirenda are briefly discussed.

Kafkas Universitesi Veteriner Fakultesi Dergisi, 2013

Allium Tuncelianum is a garlic species which is locally produced in Tunceli, Turkey. Garlic conta... more Allium Tuncelianum is a garlic species which is locally produced in Tunceli, Turkey. Garlic contains several biologically active compounds known as organosulfur compounds which are reported to have anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic effects. Present study examined the in vitro antigenotoxic activity of ethanolic extracts of A. Tuncelianum in human lymphocyte cells by chromosome aberration test. Samples of A. Tuncelianum were extracted by ethanol using soxhlet extractor. The extract was tested on human lymphocyte cell culture in vitro chromosome aberration test. The effect of ethanol extract of A. Tuncelianum at concentrations of 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25 µl/mL were screened for chromatid and chromosome breaks, chromosome exchange as well as chromatid union and polyploid cells against negative acetone and positive control Mitomycine C. A significant decrease in the frequency of chromosomal aberration was observed for all treatments with A. Tuncelianum ethanol extract at 24 h. In conclusion, ethanol extract of A. tuncelianum significantly reduced the chromosomal aberration rate as compared with the culture treated with MMC. The results could also indicate that A. Tuncelianum could be protective against mutagenic and carcinogenic compounds when consumed through the diet.

Chelonian Conservation and Biology, 2013

Brazilian Journal of Oceanography, 2011