Population dynamics of Emys orbicularis (Emydidae, testudinata) inhabiting yağmapinar (Karapinar, Konya)

In this study, we aimed to estimate population size, population density, survival rate, capture rate and to determine sex ratio and some morphological characters of individuals and ecological features of habitat of Yağmapınar population by using mark-recapture technics between 2010-2012. During the project, 226 freshwater turtles were marked and 58 of them were recaptured 75 times in total. Of these marked turtles 43.36% (98 ??) were male, 48.23% (109 ??) were female, and 8.41% (19 juv) were juvenile. Sex ratio of population was balanced (male:female= 1:1,11). Population size was estimated at 726±(SE=127) (477-976), and population density was calculated 242±42 (158-325) individuals/ha correspondingly. Total biomass was calculated 82±14 (54-111) kg/ha. In model selection analyses committed, a differances were determined between juveniles and adults survival rate. According to CJS formula, survival rate was estimated 0.94±0.02 (0.88-0.97) in adults, and 0.66±0.2 (0.23-0.92) in juveniles. Capture rate did not show differences between groups, and was estimated 0,16 (0.06-0.30) in average. According to JS formula, survival rate was estimated 0.92±0.02 (0.88-0.96) in adults, and 0.51±0.13 (0.27-0.74) in juveniles. Capture rates did not show differences between groups, and was estimated 0,18 (0.12-0.26) in average. Probability to enterance into population rate did not show differences between groups also, and was estimated 0,15 (0.05-0.41) in average. Mean carapas length is 115.73 (SD= 7.21) in males, 135.14 (8.50) in females and 91.63 (7.24) in juveniles of Yağmapınar population. Sexual dimorphism was identified in terms of body size. Females were significantly larger than males (t-test, t=17.726, df=203.6, P<0.001). According to observations, Yağmapınar population is under threat with habitat loss and human impacts mainly.