Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
23rd European Congress of Herpetology, Bonn, Almanya, 8 - 12 Eylül 2025, ss.343, (Özet Bildiri)
This study presents a preliminary assessment of the microhabitat preferences of herpetofaunal species in four coastal wetlands of the Biga Peninsula (Karabiga/Kocabaş River Delta, Güvemalan Hoyrat Lake, Tuzla Delta, and Kumkale Delta) in Türkiye. Between March and May 2025, Visual Encounter Surveys (VES) were conducted to identify amphibian and reptile species and record their associated microhabitat types. A total of 432 individuals belonging to 2 amphibian and 9 reptile species were documented. Pelophylax bedriagae was the most frequently recorded species (28.88%), while Hyla orientalis was the least common (1.19%). A total of 10 microhabitats preferred by species in coastal wetlands were identified, the Wetland habitat was the most intensively used across all sites, supporting 210 individuals (59.66% of all observations), while the Heterogeneous Agricultural Areas were used by only one individual. Chi-square analysis confirmed significant differences in microhabitat preferences among the wetlands (χ² (21) = 350.39, p < 0.001). Additionally, the calculated Shannon-Wiener diversity indices revealed that the Karabiga/Kocabaş River Delta had the highest overall species diversity, while the Kumkale Delta had the lowest. These findings emphasize the critical importance of maintaining permanent and semi-permanent aquatic habitats and structurally diverse wetland mosaics to sustain amphibian and reptile communities in coastal ecosystems.