Herpetofaunal inventory of Van Province, eastern Anatolia, Turkey

Mehmet Zülfü Yıldız,Naşit İğci,Bahadır Akman

doi:10.11609/jott.6959.13.2.17670-17683

Mehmet Zülfü Yıldız, Naşit İğci + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.6959.13.2.17670-17683

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Abstract

In this study, amphibian and reptile diversity in the province of Van (eastern Anatolia, Turkey) was surveyed. For this purpose, four herpetological excursions (20 days in total) were conducted covering all the districts of the province in 2014. In this paper, up-to-date herpetofaunal inventory of Van Province, including two urodelian, four anuran, two chelonian, 15 saurian (lizards), and 14 ophidian (snakes) species (six amphibians and 31 reptiles in total) is presented. To the best of our knowledge, Salamandra infraimmaculata, Heremites auratus, Dolichophis jugularis, Eirenis modestus, and Telescopus fallax were recorded for the first time in the province of Van. Additionally, the first published print record of Stellagama stellio in Van Province is presented. The major threat to the herpetofaunal diversity in surveyed habitats was found as human-origin habitat degradation. With the georeference database obtained in this study, it will be possible to determine the actual distribution ranges of the species and to guide decision-makers. The results of the study will provide a useful basis for future monitoring studies and distribution information will contribute to the conservation of the species of interest.

Highlights

Amphibians and reptiles are important parts of various ecosystems and make up a considerable part of the global vertebrate diversity
As a result of the literature and field surveys, a total number of six species of amphibians and 31 species of reptiles belonging to 13 different families were recorded in the province of Van in this study
This study presents the results of a detailed herpetofaunal survey in the province of Van

Summary

Introduction

Amphibians and reptiles are important parts of various ecosystems and make up a considerable part of the global vertebrate diversity Their central role is to maintain the energy flow and nutrient cycling between trophic levels (Valencia-Aguilar et al 2013). Shortterm monitoring studies are more feasible and draw a general framework for a species or habitat, while longterm monitoring studies produce more valuable data allowing to assess the change in ecological communities over time. Both approaches are essential for developing evidence-based species conservation programs (Smith et al 1997; Blamford & Gaston 1999; Morrison et al 2008; Magurran et al 2010)

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Conclusion