Potential distribution modeling and morphology of pelias barani (Bohme and Joger, 1983) in Turkey

Abstract

The climatic preferences of Pelias barani, a rare Pontic endemic viper, are analysed and a new locality record is reported. According to species distribution modeling, with the average test AUC was was 0.904 +/- 0.068, bioclimatic variables such as Precipitation of driest month (45.5%), Temperature seasonality (18.9%), Precipitation seasonality (17.9%) and Maximum temperature of warmest period (14.7%) appear to have the most useful information on geographic distribution of Pelias barani. Distribution models of Pelias barani under current climatic conditions showed better adaptation to the northwest and northeast part of Turkey.