The Potential Distribution and Morphological Data of <i>Podarcis siculus</i> (Rafinesque-Schmalstz, 1810) with New Locality Records from Turkey (Squamata: Sauria: Lacertidae)

Abstract

In the present study, we contributed to knowledge of distribution of the Italian wall lizard, P. siculus in Turkey. Besides, we gave some morphological data about species from Akcakoca population. The morphological data of the specimens from Akcakoca were generally found to be similar with the known literature. Only some morphological characteristics were observed to be different from the features given in the literature. The mean of supraciliar granules (SCG) was found lower and the mean of median gularia (MG) was found to be higher than the mean values given in the literature. In addition, we found high percentage of five supralabial plates in anterior of oculars. The distribution of the species was found to be restricted between northeastern Marmara and western Black Sea regions, according to our distributional model. On the other hand, the distributional data of P. siculus in the present study exhibited that Canakkale and Samsun have not suitable habitats for the species. High AUC and lover standard deviation values (0.986 ± 0.006) showed that the potential distribution area of the species was congruent with its habitat preferences inhabited localities.