biostudies-literatureUnknown14(10)Dursun CThis study investigated the presence, characteristics, and distribution of ingested microplastics (MPs) in <i>Apathya cappadocica</i>, a regional endemic lizard species. A total of 93 individuals were examined, and MPs were found in 19.35% (n = 18) of them. A total of 27 microplastic particles were detected, averaging 1.5 MPs per positive individual and 0.29 MPs per individual across the sample. MP sizes ranged from 50 to 1727 µm, with a mean size of 355.46 ± 73 µm. Most MPs (93%) were fibers, while the rest were fragments. The dominant color was navy blue (41%), followed by red and black (19% each). Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was the most common polymer (67%), followed by polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene (PE). Statistical tests revealed no significant differences in MP size Biology1457https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12561676biostudies-literatureCharacterization of Ingested Microplastics in a Regional Endemic Lizard <i>Apathya cappadocica</i> (Werner, 1902) from Turkiye.PMC12561676Kumlutas YDursun CCandan KDemirci NHasturk EBYıldırım Caynak EIlgaz CKorkmaz AGGul SfalseCharacterization of Ingested Microplastics in a Regional Endemic Lizard <i>Apathya cappadocica</i> (Werner, 1902) from Turkiye.This study investigated the presence, characteristics, and distribution of ingested microplastics (MPs) in <i>Apathya cappadocica</i>, a regional endemic lizard species. A total of 93 individuals were examined, and MPs were found in 19.35% (n = 18) of them. A total of 27 microplastic particles were detected, averaging 1.5 MPs per positive individual and 0.29 MPs per individual across the sample. MP sizes ranged from 50 to 1727 µm, with a mean size of 355.46 ± 73 µm. Most MPs (93%) were fibers, while the rest were fragments. The dominant color was navy blue (41%), followed by red and black (19% each). Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was the most common polymer (67%), followed by polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene (PE). Statistical tests revealed no significant differences in MP size 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Oct2026-05-15T03:18:44.589Z2026-05-15T03:11:57.888ZS-EPMC125616764115486010.3390/biology14101457