Hi from Turkey

[drortho]

Hi to all valuable members of Caudata.org!
I am an young doctor (Orthopaedic Surgeon) from Turkey. After long years of aquarium hobby with best species of fresh water fish, I'm impressed by the regenerative capacity of salamanders, newts and axolotls... I am pretty new in salamanders but have big excitement to have them. So my plan is to get enough information about for couple of months and set up an tank for them. This is the my first mesaage to say "hi" and introduce myself.

Best wishes to all...
Happy to be here...

[Molch]

welcome! You live in a great place for caudates. Some of the most beautiful species in the world live in Turkey :)

[drortho]

Originally Posted by Molch

.... Some of the most beautiful species in the world live in Turkey :)

Really?! I've never heard that before I must research that species :) Thanks for your wellcome...

[Alejandro]

Welcome aboard! Yes, the land of Ataturk offers very nice caudate species.

[drortho]

Originally Posted by Alejandro

Welcome aboard! Yes, the land of Ataturk offers very nice caudate species.

So happy to hear you know Ataturk :..) Thanks a lot...

[drortho]

As I mentioned above, the hallmark of salamanders for me is their regenerative capability. I define me as an young Orthopaedic and Traumatology resident, interested in hand and microsurgery with great dreams and aims :) So half hobby half scientfic observe aim I want to have regenerative species. Which are best for this? Axolotls? Please don't think that i will hurt them or make illegal experiments I really admire theese creatures... And believe humanbeing will reach regeneration in fingers or at least learn fast healing process.
Thanks for your godwill...

[Molch]

Originally Posted by drortho

Really?! I've never heard that before I must research that species :) Thanks for your wellcome...

seriously! Some of the ones that live in Turkey:

Ommatotriton ophryticus
Neurergus strauchii
Lyciasalamandra spp.
Mertensiella caucasica

I think the line of research on limb regeneration sounds really fascinating. I've heard of the odd case of a human regenerating a fingertip, but to someday (maybe) be able to regrow entire limbs...wouldn't that be something!

Here are 3 pics from the caudata gallery of the first 3 species:
Ommatotriton (pic by caudataman)


Neurergus strauchii (Molch's)


lyciasalamandra billae (pic by Laura Tiemann)

[drortho]

Wow they're fascinating :) I've never heard or seen theese before. Thanks for detailed answer. And about the regeneration, finger tips can regenerate in high vertebrates like us, under some circumstances. Children are superior. We're far from regenerating whole limb but theese studies will let us to fasten or improve the healing process. This is the dream of hand surgery... I say "it's half dreaming half hypothesing" :)) By the way, I 've accepted for a fellowship about hand surgery in Boston. I'll be in USA for a few months.