Population estimate and body size of European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis) from Pazaragac (Afyonkarahisar/Turkey)

AYAZ D., Fritz U., TOK C. V., MERMER A., TOSUNOĞLU M., Afsar M., ...More

BIOLOGIA, vol.62, no.2, pp.225-227, 2007 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 62 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2007
  • Doi Number: 10.2478/s11756-007-0035-2
  • Journal Name: BIOLOGIA
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.225-227
  • Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Data on population size, adult sex ratio, body size and mass are provided for a population of the turtle Emys orbicularis near Pazaragac (Afyonkarahisar/Turkey). Using the mark-recapture method (triple catch), a population size of 664 turtles was estimated (95% confidence interval, range 332-996), corresponding to a density of 83 turtles per hectare (range 41.5-124.5). The adult sex-ratio was significantly skewed in favor of males (2.02 males: 1 female; P < 0.001). Almost all recorded specimens were adult (98.1%). Mean straight carapace length (SCL) and body mass (BM) of adult turtles were: SCL = 128.65 mm, BM = 345 g for males (n = 168) and SCL = 135.37 mm, BM = 463 g for females (n = 83).