Estimating population density of Lyciasalamandra luschani finikensis (Başoğlu & Atatür, 1975) (urodela: amphibia) in Finike (Antalya)

Aim: This study aimed to calculate the population density of Lyciasalamandra luschani finikensis in Finike and determine the subspecies threatening factors to develop successful species-specific conservation strategies. Content: In order to calculate the population density of Lyciasalamandra luschani finikensis, field survey was conducted in the area. Methods: For this subspecies, which is distributed in a restricted area and accepted to be threatened in nature, Photographing has been used as a harmles marking technique. Individuals were captured at different days and photographed separately on millimetric paper. The coordinates of the studied area were marked on Google Earth to calculate the area. After determining the number of individuals who were marked and re-captured, the population density of L. l.finikensis was calculated with the obtained values. Results: As a result of the fiel study conducted on different dates, the density was calculated as 7,6 individuals/ha in the first field survey and 18,1 individuals/ha in the second field survey. Since the density value obtained from our second survey is higher, this value is taken as the main density value that representing the studied population. Since the population density values of Lyciasalamandra luschani basoglui, another subspecies from the same species and other closely related species are available, we have compared these values. The most important threatening factor for L.l.finikensis population is habitat destruction.