Morphological and molecular investigation of pond slinder, Trachemys scripta (thunberg in schoepff, 1792) living in Manisa province (Turkey)

Turkey's location in the Western Palearctic region, combined with the diverse climatic conditions resulting from topographical differences over short distances, contributes to the country's rich habitat diversity. This rich habitat diversity, along with the impact of various migratory and dispersal patterns of organisms into the Anatolian Peninsula, has enabled Turkey to possess a significantly higher herpetofaunal diversity compared to other countries in the region. New species that are not native to a region's natural fauna but arrive from outside through various means are known as invasive species. These can occupy the distribution areas of local species' natural populations, leading to the extinction of those unable to respond to this expansion and a decrease in herpetofaunal diversity. The global inclusion of reptiles that do not naturally occur in new areas has increased exponentially to the present day. The pond turtle, Trachemys scripta (Thunberg in Schoepff, 1792), is among the most invasive species worldwide and is a terrapin whose global distribution has expanded through the pet trade and has also been recorded in our country's freshwater habitats. This thesis aims to examine the morphology and molecular characteristics of the invasive species Trachemys scripta, a foreign freshwater turtle found in wetlands in Manisa Province, which is located in the Aegean Region of Turkey and contains important natural areas and areas of biological diversity. Thus, the aim is to collect detailed morphological information, evaluate the number of haplotypes, and present genetic data for the first time in our country. Additionally, it will contribute to determining its distribution in both natural and non-natural wetlands in Manisa Province.