New records of Eurasian Blind Snake, Xerotyphlops vermicularis (Merrem, 1820) from the Black Sea region of Turkey and its updated distribution


Afsar M., Çiçek K., Tayhan Y., TOK C. V.

Biharean Biologist, vol.10, no.2, pp.98-103, 2016 (Scopus) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 10 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2016
  • Journal Name: Biharean Biologist
  • Journal Indexes: Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.98-103
  • Keywords: Anatolia, Black sea region, Distribution, Ecological niche modeling, New record, Typhlopidae, Xerotyphlops vermicularis
  • Hakkari University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

In this study, we report two new localities of Xerotyphlops vermicularis from western and central Black Sea Region. With these records, the distribution of the species is extended about 90km to the north. The specimens were examined morphologically and compared with the relevant literature. In addition, on the basis of the new and literature records, the potential distribution of the species was modelled with ecological niche modelling. The main factors affecting the distribution of the species are the annual mean temperature (bio1, 55.3%), precipitation of driest month (bio14, 18.5%), and annual precipitation (bio12, 10.1%) and account for 84% of the distribution model.