MONITORING AMPHIBIANS OF LAKE ÇILDIR (ARDAHAN)
Project no. 591 · Status: Kapanmış · 2016
Summary
In this study, it is aimed to determine the amphibian species living in Lake Çıldır and their distribution, to calculate the structure and sex ratio of the populations, to determine the age of the populations, to calculate the population sizes by catch and recapture method. According to the data obtained; Marsh Frog [Pelophylax ridibundus (Pallas, 1771)], Uludag Frog [Rana macrocnemis Boulenger, 1885], Variable Toad [Bufotes sitibundus (Pallas, 1771)] and Caucasian Toad [Bufo verrucosissimus (Pallas, 1814)] species have been identified. Between April 2017 – July 2018, in the spring and summer at 4 permanent stations; 4 specimens (2 >>, 2 ++) belonging to B. verrucosissimus, 155 specimens (5 young, 86 >>, 64 ++) belonging to B. sitibundus, 2715 specimens belonging to P. ridibundus (558 young, 1158 >>, 999 ++) and R. macrocnemis 2400 specimens (496 young, 1045 >>, 859 ++) were marked. According to the stations, population size varies between 294 – 621 specimens in P. ridibundus and 277 – 514 specimens in R. macrocnemis. According to Pollock's Robust Design formula, the population size of two years varies between 553 – 789 in P. ridibundus and 404 – 655 specimens in R. macrocnemis. The mean probability of detection was calculated between 0.09 - 0.10 for P. ridibundus and 0.08 - 0.11 for R. macrocnemis. Average survival rate is between 0.40 - 0.60 in P. ridibundus and 0.24 - 0.56 in R. macrocnemis. All of the P. ridibundus, R. macrocnemis and B. sitibundus populations were found to be male predisposed. Average age among species; It has been determined as 5.28 years (2 – 9) in P. ridibundus, 4.32 years (2 – 6) in R. macrocnemis, and 5.55 years (3 – 9) in B. sitibundus. It was observed that all species exit from hibernation in the second half of April, their breeding period was between the end of April – June, and the metamorphosis was completed between 55 – 125 days in P. ridibundus, 44 – 124 days in R. macrocnemis and 56 – 128 days in B. sitibundus. The potential threat on species were also discussed.