Detection probability and habitat selection of the beyşehir frog, Pelophylax caralitanus (Arikan 1988), in Southwestern Anatolia, Turkey

This study provides the detection probabilities and habitat selection of the Beyşehir frog Pelophylax caralitanus in the Lake District region of Turkey. We collected ecological data from a total 67 sites including water chemistry variables and regional landscape variables that have considerable effects on amphibian distributions. The proportion of site occupied by the Beyşehir frog was 0.507, which is equivalent to almost half of the studied sites. The average detection probability was calculated as 0.48 ± 0.102 over the year, whereas it was calculated as 0.75 ± 0.090 during the breeding season. Temperature was positively correlated with detection probability. Maximum water depth, forest edge presence within 30 m of the water body, canopy presence surrounding the water body, submerged vegetation presence, vegetation cover rate of the water body, pH, dissolved O2, chloride, and Mg hardness were statistically different in sites where the Beyşehir frog is present and absent. Among the regional landscape variables potentially affecting the presence of the species, Logistic Regression Analysis showed positive relationships with canopy presence surrounding the water body and forest edge presence within 30 m of habitats. pH, in turn, was negatively related to the presence of P. caralitanus as an explanatory variable of water chemistry. © 2016 Folium Publishing Company

Richness and distribution of amphibian species in relation to ecological variables in western aegean region of turkey

Ecological factors, such as water chemistry variables, regional landscape variables, occurrence of predators, have considerable effects on amphibian distribution and richness. These variables in relation to amphibian species-richness and distribution were investigated by field work studies between February 2006 and August 2008 in freshwater ponds and lakes of Aegean Region, Turkey. Seven amphibian species were observed at the study sites, with mean species richness 4.29±0.34 species per habitat (range= 2 to 6). We used Pearson's correlation coefficients to examine correlations between the variables and to reduce the number of explanatory factors. The data were submitted to a multiple regression analysis at water chemistry and microhabitat scales in order to investigate the most important explanatory factors influencing amphibian species richness and their distribution. According to the results of statistical analysis six regional landscape and nine water chemistry variables were found to be important explanatory factors for amphibian species richness in this region. These results were evaluated and interpreted in term of amphibian conservation and habitat management programs

Decline of the levantine frog, pelophylax bedriagae camerano, 1882, in the western aegean region of turkey changes in population size and implications for conservation: (Amphibia: Ranidae)

We estimated the annual population size, survival rates and capture probabilities for two populations of the Levantine Frog, Pelophylax bedriagae, using a Capture-Mark-Recapture (CMR) non-invasive digital photographic identification technique in Karagöl Lake and Soğan-harımı Pond in the western Aegean Region of Turkey, and used POLLOCK’s methodology to assess population parameters. Time specific capture probability, time specific survival rate and no temporary emigration were found to be the best appropriate models for our data. Population sizes were estimated as 245 adults in 2006, 301 in 2007, 67 in 2008 and 54 in 2009. Annual capture probabilities were estimated on average as 0.161, and annual survival rates across years were on average 0.301. Soğanharımı Pond was destroyed for recreational purposes after the first year of our study. To determine the size of the population, which was depleted during the construction of the recreational facilities, we used a closed population model, and concluded that in total 54 adults disappeared. In addition, we determined the possible negative factors that affect the population size and survival rates of the Levantine Frog including habitat destruction and the introduction of Siluris glanis and Astacus leptodactylus into the freshwater body. © 2012 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

Age structures and growth parameters of the levantine frog, pelophylax bedriagae, at different localities in Denizli, Turkey

Skeletochronology is a reliable tool for assessing several parameters in amphibian populations. We used skeletochronology to determine the age structure, growth rate, age at first reproduction, and longevity of Levantine frog Pelophylax bedriagae populations from different localities in Denizli, Turkey. All examined individuals (N = 161) exhibited Lines of Arrested Growth in the bone cross-sections. Age structure and age at first reproduction were similar among localities and sexes, while longevity and growth rates showed significant variation among localities. Obtained results were compared with literature data on age-related and grow parameters in Pelophylax bedriagae and cognate species. © Firenze University Press

Age structures and growth parameters of the levantine frog, pelophylax bedriagae, at different localities in Denizli, Turkey

Skeletochronology is a reliable tool for assessing several parameters in amphibian populations. We used skeletochronology to determine the age structure, growth rate, age at first reproduction, and longevity of Levantine frog Pelophylax bedriagae populations from different localities in Denizli, Turkey. All examined individuals (N = 161) exhibited Lines of Arrested Growth in the bone cross-sections. Age structure and age at first reproduction were similar among localities and sexes, while longevity and growth rates showed significant variation among localities. Obtained results were compared with literature data on age-related and grow parameters in Pelophylax bedriagae and cognate species. © Firenze University Press

Invertebrate infestation on eggs and hatchlings of the loggerhead turtle, Caretta caretta, in Dalaman, Turkey

The damage caused by some invertebrates to the eggs and hatchlings of loggerhead turtles, Caretta caretta, was investigated during the summer of 2002 on Dalaman beach, Turkey. The specimens, identified to family or genus levels, from nine families representing seven orders were recorded as infesting nests of loggerhead turtles. The heaviest impacts on loggerhead turtle nests was made by Pimelia sp. (Tenebrionidae, Coleoptera). Twenty-four (36.3%) out of 66 intact loggerhead hatched nests were affected by these larvae. Larval damage by Pimelia sp. was recorded in 188 (10.6%) out of 1773 eggs, but only in two (0.28%) hatchlings. The results show that fewer insects were in the nest the further from vegetation and therefore the relocation of nests from the water's edge to further inland close to vegetation may increase the infestation rate of the eggs. © 2006 Springer

Population size and age structure of metamorphic and pedomorphic forms of Ommatotriton ophryticus (Berthold, 1846) in the northwestern Black Sea region of Turkey

Amphibians are in decline in many parts of the world. Understanding the population dynamics of amphibian species is an important prerequisite for developing effective conservation strategies. We used capture-mark-recapture and skeletochronological techniques to investigate population size, body size, and age structure of metamorphic and pedomorphic forms of Ommatotriton ophryticus between 2006 and 2009 in the northwestern Black Sea region of Turkey. Our findings showed that time-specific survival rate, constant capture probability, no temporary emigration, and time-specific population size were the most appropriate models for this population. According to the best model (Model 6), population size of metamorphic forms of O. ophryticus was estimated as 517 (95% confidence interval CI = 338-851) adults in 2006, 338 (95% CI = 282-421) adults in 2008, and 527 (95% CI = 443-646) adults in 2009. Average annual capture probability was estimated at 0.21, although average survival rate across years was 0.35. The mean body size and age structure of the pedomorphs and metamorphs was significantly different for both sexes. Also, body size of both forms of O. ophryticus showed positive significant correlations with age. In addition to this, both forms shared a common allometric slope of the snout-vent lengths vs. age, and older individuals had larger bodies. Moreover, age at first reproduction and longevity exhibited great differences between forms whereas the median age was 4 yr for each newt category, except for metamorphosed males, in which it was 5 yr. These results indicate that pedomorphs in this population show retardation of the somatic development and an earlier maturation. © 2013 Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles