The first record of raccoon dog ( Nyctereutes procyonoides ) in Turkey

Morteza Naderi,Ayşegül Çoban,Mark Chynoweth,Çağan Hakkı Şekercioğlu,Mübeccel Çisel Kemahli Ayteki̇n,Josip Kusak,Emrah Çoban,Neslihan Güven,İsmail Kayahan Ağirkaya

doi:10.3906/zoo-1910-29

Abstract

The raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides was recorded for the first time in Turkey on May 10, 2019, and June 5, 2019, in the same location after 4668 nights of camera trapping in the forests of the Sarikamis region and Allahuekber Mountains in eastern Turkey. It was recorded in a Scots pine Pinus sylvestris forest at 2340 m above sea level with extensive snow cover. Given that the nearest known population is in the forests of Georgia approximately 105 km away, there may already be a viable population in Turkey. As an omnivorous species with a high adaptive ability and high reproductive potential, the raccoon dog has strong dispersal capability. It is considered an invasive species in Europe and there are some ongoing eradication activities in several countries. Therefore, we strongly advise that the raccoon dog in Turkey be evaluated as an invasive species and that the relevant authorities conduct extensive research and any necessary management, especially where the habitat and local climate are more favorable for the species’ reproduction and range expansion.

Highlights

The raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) was recorded for the first time in Turkey on May 10, 2019, and June 5, 2019, in the same location after 4668 nights of camera trapping in the forests of the Sarıkamış region and Allahuekber Mountains in eastern Turkey
The native geographic range of N. procyonoides extends from south China and the Korean Peninsula to Russia and Mongolia (Nowak, 1999; Ćirović, 2006; Figure 1)
Raccoon dogs are omnivorous canids that prefer to be near water sources such as streams or rivers (Kauhala, 1996), mainly in open forest habitats that provide a diversity of food resources and shelter

Summary

Introduction

The raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) was recorded for the first time in Turkey on May 10, 2019, and June 5, 2019, in the same location after 4668 nights of camera trapping in the forests of the Sarıkamış region and Allahuekber Mountains in eastern Turkey. The length of the growing season, mean annual temperature above 0 °C, and low snowfall and duration (snow depth < 80 cm, snow cover < 175 days, growing season > 135 days) facilitate the species’ presence (Nasimovic, 1985; Kauhala et al, 2007).

Results

Conclusion