Phenology and factors influencing the abundance of lyciasalamandra fazilae (amphibia: Salamandridae) in Turkey

Abstract

Biotic and abiotic factors determine the distribution, population size, abundance and site occurrence of amphibians. To study these variables in relation to the abundance of Lyciasalamandra fazilae, the Göcek Lycian salamander, from Turkey, we conducted field studies in southwestern Anatolia. The active season of this species was between November and April. Environmental data were correlated with the species’ abundance. Our analyses demonstrated the significant roles of factors such as distance to road, slope, vegetation cover, leaf litter depth, soil moisture, distance to stony area, soil temperature, and altitude. Terrain, slope, leaf litter depth, and vegetation cover were important explanatory factors for the salamanders’ abundance. We interpret these findings in terms of amphibian conservation and habitat management programs. © 2018 Deutsche Gesellschaft für Herpetologie und Terrarienkunde e.V. (DGHT), Mannheim, Germany.