The Dragonflies of eastern Mulga province Southwest Turkey
By Paul Hope – (2007)
232 pages; matt art paper, with 120 colour photographs, 1 colour plate of wings, 12 monochrome drawings, 1 explanatory provincial map, 58 monochrome species provincial distribution maps, 16 monochrome directional maps & 53 tables.
Soft Cover: 19.4cm x 13.6cm
ISBN: 978-975-01963-1-7
Land of Lights Publishing, Mulga Turkey.
Although rather simply constructed, this is quite a good book which deals specifically with the odonates of Mulga province Southwest Turkey. It is not only a photographic field guide but also gives specific directions to areas within this province, similar to a tour guide book where the 56 species (included in this book) have been located and studied by the author.
A total of 45 specific ‘numbered’ locations within the books designated area, which have been well researched by the author are provided with great road map directions how to get there and tables of the species found in each location. The species included have their scientific name, common name, local occurrence status, average body and wing measurements, physical description including eyes, legs and pterostigma colour and where appropriate comparisons with closely related species, good observation notes on habitat, territoriality, oviposition traits and often the best ‘numbered’ location/s to observe a particular species. The photos included have both male and female examples in the majority of cases.
This is quite an interesting book, informative and simply presented so anyone can understand it and besides being a photo field guide it also serves as a species location tour guide. It provides 13 new species records for the region not verified in Askew (2004)
[with some of the authors captured field specimens identified & confirmed by Askew], although however, this book (& others like it) should no doubt be used in conjunction with Askew for technical certification. Books like this one that deal with specific areas which are soundly and well researched make welcome contributions to the odonate literature. Should any reader/s be visiting this part of the world make sure you have this book with you for great hints and directions to the species you may wish to observe.
Rod Rice
Principal Reviewer
Nature & Travel Books