Social media video featuring the project.
Marmaris Semenderi
Dilara Arslan
Other projects
10 Feb 2017
Conservation Activities of Endangered Marmaris Salamander (Lyciasalamandra flavimembris) from Muğla, Turkey I
Lyciasalamandra flavimembris is an endangered endemic amphibian restricted in Muğla, Turkey. The main threats on the species are habitat loss due to forest fires, urbanization, tourism activities, pet collection and climate change. If no action is taken, the species restricted relatively narrow area will go extinct silently without much notice. Therefore, this project is intended to obtain monitoring the current population of Marmaris salamander. The study will provide a scientific resource for decision makers to using future habitat management plans. Besides creating a scientific resource, we are aiming to raise awareness among both the tourists and the local community. This study focused on two main sections; obtaining data on ecology and population status and awareness activities of species.
Lycian salamanders are one of the groups that includes endemic species in Mediterranean Turkey (Muğla and Antalya provinces) and some adjacent islands.
Marmaris salamander (Lyciasalamandra flavimembris) is an endangered endemic species and is restricted from Marmaris to the center of Muğla along 35 km the southwestern Anatolia up to 600 m a.s.l. The main threats on the species are habitat loss due to forest fires, urbanization, tourism activities, pet collection and climate change.
We have started our conservation project with the support of the Rufford Small Grants (RSG) in 2017. We have obtained information on current population status and determine the local threats between the 2017 - 2018. The research showed that the species’ distribution range extends 45 km in the southwest creating a total
species’ area of 115 km2. Besides, there is still a lack of awareness among the locals regarding this species. In this project, our main objectives are the continuation of fieldwork on monitoring population status, awareness-raising activities and developing collaboration with the municipality for implementing conservation activities.
This study consists of two main sections; obtaining data on ecology and population structure and awareness activities of species.
This study consists two main sections, these are:
1- To understand ecological requirements; We will monitor the population to determine habitat requirements. The duration of the sampling period, we will use the capture-recapture method to obtain data and estimate population size and density in UTM grids (10km2). All the individuals will be marked with Visible Implant Elastomer (VIE). To measuring habitat preferences of Marmaris salamander,
2- We'll continue with social studies and awareness activities simultaneous with ecological studies. In social studies, we choose to perform face to face interviews with locals to figure out the local products and we will collaborate with locals to improve their habitat usage compatible with habitats of the salamanders. Then, we'll arrange a festival and short documentary for salamanders to catch local’s and tourist’s attention. We'll organize workshops with public authorities and NGOs to share our knowledge.