Research Article

New provincial record and habitat characterization of the endangered Morel Morchella steppicola Zerova (Ascomycota) in Çankırı, Turkey

Volume: 11 Number: 2 December 31, 2025
TR EN

New provincial record and habitat characterization of the endangered Morel Morchella steppicola Zerova (Ascomycota) in Çankırı, Turkey

Abstract

Background and Aims Thirty species within the genus Morchella have been documented in Türkiye. This study reports the fourth national record of Morchella steppicola Zerova, a species classified as Endangered (EN) on the global Red List, and the first occurrence from Çankırı province. Additionally, the study aims to characterize the fundamental habitat features associated with this species. Methods Specimens were collected during field surveys conducted in Çankırı province between 6 and 14 April 2024. Identification was performed using both macroscopic and microscopic features, supplemented by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) imaging, as well as stereo and light microscopy. Soil samples from the collection sites were analysed for basic physical (texture) and chemical properties, such as texture, and chemical properties, including pH, CaCO₃, soil organic matter (SOM), electrical conductivity (EC), total salt, and total nitrogen content. Results The specimens were identified as M. steppicola and this is the first record of the species in Çankırı province. In Türkiye, this species was previously known only from Afyonkarahisar, Kırşehir, and Edirne provinces. Soil analyses indicated the following properties: clay 59%, sand 23%, silt 18%; pH 7.55 (slightly alkaline); CaCO₃ 32.25% (very calcareous); organic matter 4.65%; EC 0.083 dS/m; total salt 0.04%; and total nitrogen 0.23%. The collection sites were situated at an elevation of approximately 948 meters. Conclusions The presence of M. steppicola in Çankırı province is confirmed for the first time. Given the species’ rarity and the distinctive characteristics of its habitat, continued monitoring of comparable steppe and meadow ecosystems is recommended, along with conservation measures for the species and its environment.

Keywords

Thanks

We would like to express our gratitude to the Directorate of the Central Research Laboratory Application and Research Center of Çankırı Karatekin University and to Dr. İbrahim Filazi, Lecturer and Head of the Electron Microscopy Unit, for their support in preparing spore slides and capturing scanning electron microscope images of Morchella steppicola specimens.

References

  1. Alkan, S., Bağ, M., Kaşık, G., 2019. Türkiye’deki Morchella türleri; nadir bulunan Morchella steppicola Zerova türü için yeni bir lokalite. Selçuk Üniversitesi Fen Fakültesi Fen Dergisi 45(2), 179-196.
  2. Allı, H., 2022. Muğla Sıtkı Koçman Üniversitesi Kampüsünde Yetişen Makromantarlar. Mantar dergisi, 13(2), 96-104.
  3. Anonim, 2024. Çankırı meteoroloji bülteni, T.C. Çevre, Şehircilik ve İklim Değişikliği Bakanlığı Meteoroloji Genel Müdürlüğü Kayıtları, Ankara.
  4. Arkhipova, E.A., Berezutsky, M.A., Boldyrev, V.A., Bulanaya, M.V., Bulany. Yu.I., Kostetsky, O.V., Mayevsky, V.V., Panin, A.V., Protoklitova, T.B., Reshetnikova, T.B., Serova, L.A., Stepanov, M.V., Stukov, V.I., Khudyakova, L.P., Cherepanova, L.A., Shilova, I.V., 2006. Types of mushrooms, lichens and plants, recommended for introduction to the second edition red book Saratov Region. Poolga Ecological Journal Vol. specialist. 18 – 28.
  5. Birben, Ü., İmal, B., Özden, S., Öner, N., 2008. Ilgaz (Çankırı)’da Bazı Odun Dışı Orman Ürünlerinin Sürdürülebilir Kullanımı ve Yöre Ekonomisine Katkılarının Değerlendirilmesi. Tabiat ve İnsan Dergisi, 2, 7-16.
  6. Blake, G.R. and Hartge, K.H., 1986. Bulk density. In: Klute, A. (Ed.), Methods of Soil Analysis, Part 1. Am. Soc. Agron., Monograph 9, pp. 363–375.
  7. Bozok, F., Keskinkılıç, İ., Akata, I., Yarar M., Taşkın, H., 2020. “Moleküler Yöntemlerin Kullanımı İle Türkiye Morchella (Kuzugöbeği) Genetik Çeşitliliğine Katkılar”, Mantar Dergisi, 11(2), 142-157.
  8. Brady, N.C. and Weil, R.R., 2008. The nature and properties of soil, 14 ed. Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Forest Biodiversity, Forest Botany

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

December 31, 2025

Submission Date

October 13, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 10, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 11 Number: 2

APA
Keçeli, T., Allı, H., & Gül, E. (2025). New provincial record and habitat characterization of the endangered Morel Morchella steppicola Zerova (Ascomycota) in Çankırı, Turkey. Anadolu Orman Araştırmaları Dergisi, 11(2), 358-366. https://doi.org/10.53516/ajfr.1802609
AMA
1.Keçeli T, Allı H, Gül E. New provincial record and habitat characterization of the endangered Morel Morchella steppicola Zerova (Ascomycota) in Çankırı, Turkey. AJFR. 2025;11(2):358-366. doi:10.53516/ajfr.1802609
Chicago
Keçeli, Tamer, Hakan Allı, and Ebru Gül. 2025. “New Provincial Record and Habitat Characterization of the Endangered Morel Morchella Steppicola Zerova (Ascomycota) in Çankırı, Turkey”. Anadolu Orman Araştırmaları Dergisi 11 (2): 358-66. https://doi.org/10.53516/ajfr.1802609.
EndNote
Keçeli T, Allı H, Gül E (December 1, 2025) New provincial record and habitat characterization of the endangered Morel Morchella steppicola Zerova (Ascomycota) in Çankırı, Turkey. Anadolu Orman Araştırmaları Dergisi 11 2 358–366.
IEEE
[1]T. Keçeli, H. Allı, and E. Gül, “New provincial record and habitat characterization of the endangered Morel Morchella steppicola Zerova (Ascomycota) in Çankırı, Turkey”, AJFR, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 358–366, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.53516/ajfr.1802609.
ISNAD
Keçeli, Tamer - Allı, Hakan - Gül, Ebru. “New Provincial Record and Habitat Characterization of the Endangered Morel Morchella Steppicola Zerova (Ascomycota) in Çankırı, Turkey”. Anadolu Orman Araştırmaları Dergisi 11/2 (December 1, 2025): 358-366. https://doi.org/10.53516/ajfr.1802609.
JAMA
1.Keçeli T, Allı H, Gül E. New provincial record and habitat characterization of the endangered Morel Morchella steppicola Zerova (Ascomycota) in Çankırı, Turkey. AJFR. 2025;11:358–366.
MLA
Keçeli, Tamer, et al. “New Provincial Record and Habitat Characterization of the Endangered Morel Morchella Steppicola Zerova (Ascomycota) in Çankırı, Turkey”. Anadolu Orman Araştırmaları Dergisi, vol. 11, no. 2, Dec. 2025, pp. 358-66, doi:10.53516/ajfr.1802609.
Vancouver
1.Tamer Keçeli, Hakan Allı, Ebru Gül. New provincial record and habitat characterization of the endangered Morel Morchella steppicola Zerova (Ascomycota) in Çankırı, Turkey. AJFR. 2025 Dec. 1;11(2):358-66. doi:10.53516/ajfr.1802609