Determination of Distribution Status of Non-native Species Trachemys scripta elegans (Wied-Neuwied, 1839) in Mersin-Anamur Freshwater Systems

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the distribution status of Trachemys scripta elegans (Wied-Neuwied, 1839), a non-native species, in the Mersin-Anamur Freshwater systems. The distribution of the species in Mamure Castle and Alyanak Wetland was observed in the pre-spawning and post-spawning periods. In both sampling periods, 40 individuals could be sampled from Mamure Castle. In the Alyanak wetland, only six individuals were observed in the pre-spawning period. No individuals could be sampled due to the wetland's size, the water's depth and turbidity, the density of the vegetation that allows the individuals to hide, the speed of the individuals, and the team's experience of catching freshwater turtles. In the study, the individuals of T. scripta elegans were detected for the first time outside the moat area of Mamure Castle and in Alyanak Wetland, a place without connection with the moat area. In addition, the number of individuals sampled from the moat of Mamure Castle before and after the spawning period, female-male ratio, and maturation status was determined. The morphometric characteristics of the sampled individuals were measured, and differences depending on maturation and sex were determined.

Keywords

• Non-native species
• Trachemys scripta elegans
• Distribution
• Mersin-Anamur
• Freshwater Reservoirs

Project Number

2021-2-TP2-4525

Yabancı Tür Trachemys scripta elegans (Wied-Neuwied, 1839)’ın Mersin-Anamur Tatlısu Sistemlerinde Dağılım Durumu ile Morfometrik Özelliklerinin Belirlenmesi

Abstract

Araştırmada yabancı bir tür olan Trachemys scripta elegans (Wied-Neuwied, 1839)’ın Mersin-Anamur Tatlısu sistemlerinde dağılım durumu ile örneklenen bireylerin morfometrik ölçümlerin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Türün Mamure Kalesi ve Alyanak Sulak alanında dağılımı yumurtlama öncesi ve yumurtlama sonrası dönemde izlenmiştir. Her iki örnekleme döneminde toplam 40 adet birey sadece Mamure Kalesi’nden örneklenebilmiştir. Alyanak sulak alanında ise sadece yumurtlama öncesi dönemde 6 adet birey gözlenmiş, sulak alanın büyüklüğü, suyun derinliği ve bulanıklık durumu, bireylerin saklanmasına olanak veren vejetasyonun yoğunluğu, bireylerin hızı, ekibin su kaplumbağası yakalama deneyimi gibi sebeplerle ile herhangi bir birey alandan örneklenememiştir. Çalışmada T. scripta elegans bireylerinin ilk kez Mamure Kalesi hendek alanı dışında ve hendek alanı ile direk bağlantısı bulunmayan bir alan olan Alyanak Sulak alanında varlığı tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca çalışmada Mamure Kalesi hendek alanında yumurtlama öncesi ve sonrasında örneklenen birey sayısı, dişi erkek oranı, olgunlaşma durumu tespit edilmiştir. Mamure Kalesi hendek alanından yumurtlama öncesi ve yumurtlama sonrası dönemde örneklenen bireylerin morfometrik özellikleri ölçülerek, olgunlaşma ve eşeye bağlı oluşan farklılıklar tespit edilmiştir.

Keywords

• Yabancı tür
• Trachemys scripta elegans
• Morfometri
• Mersin-Anamur
• Tatlısu rezervleri

Supporting Institution

Mersin Üniversitesi

Project Number

2021-2-TP2-4525

Thanks

Bu çalışma Mersin Üniversitesi Araştırma Fonu tarafından BAP-2021-2-TP2-4525 Proje numarası ile desteklenmiştir.

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