Mapping the distribution of amphibian species in Rize province, Turkey

Abstract

The Caucasus biodiversity hotspot covering the northeastern part of Turkey is one of the richest regions in terms of global biodiversity. Rize Province is located in the Transcaucasia region portion of this hotspot. We here report on our efforts to map the amphibian fauna of the province, which includes two salamanders (Mertensiella caucasica, Ommatotriton ophryticus) and seven frogs (Bufo bufo, Bufotes variabilis, Hyla orientalis, Pelodytes caucasicus, Pelophylax ridibundus, Rana dalmatina, R. macrocnemis). Our maps of species distributions, species richness, and habitat heterogeneity are the first of their kind for amphibians in Rize Province. © 2019, Societas Europaea Herpetologica. All rights reserved.