Determination of ecology, taxonomic status and protection works of eirenis punctatolineatus (boettger, 1892) (Dotted Dwarf Snake) in Akdamar Island (Van)

Eirenis punctatolineatus has three subspecies described up to now. These are E. p. punctatolineatus (Boettger, 1892), E. p. condoni (Boulenger, 1920) and E. p. kumerloevei Eiselt, 1970. The last subspecies, kumerloevei, has lost its validity due to the coexistence of both melanistic and patterned forms in Akdamar Island. In this study, the population of the island has been studied in two forms as patterned and melanistic. 16 metric, 15 fidelity, 18 ratio and index values and color-pattern characteristics of 48 (29 ♂♂, 12 ♀♀ and 7 Juveniles) individuals belonging to two forms were examined. In addition, biological and ecological characteristics of the island have been examined and possible threat factors have been identified. Both forms were found to have sexual dimorphism in terms of subcaudalia and ventralia numbers. Subcaudalia / Ventralia used for sex discrimination; between 1.96 and 2.17 for males and between 2.33 and 2.59 for females. For the first time in this study, 3 (60%) of the 5 juvenile samples captured were found to have fewer spots on the back side in two rows, just as in the patterned individuals. Population-threatening factors were evaluated in two groups, anthropogenic and other living factors. In order to protect the population, especially the officials in the island and the tourists coming to the island should be informed and the reproduction of the rabbits threatening the natural structure of the island should be controlled. Key Words: Eirenis punctatolineatus, Taxonomy, Distribition, Conservation Biology, Akdamar Island