Predicting the current and future potential distributions of Anatolia Newt, Neurergus strauchii (Steindachner, 1887), with a new record from Elaziǧ (Eastern Anatolia, Turkey)

Abstract

Here, the current and future distributions of Neurergus strauchii was predicted by using the maximum entropy ecological niche modeling. The most important factors which shaped the present distribution of the species are isothermality and precipitation of driest month. The species is particularly distributed on the Euphrates Valley and in the west and south of Lake Van. According to the future model scenarios, it is predicted that depending on the climate change, there will be some loss in the habitats suitable for the species to inhabit and that its distribution will particularly tend to narrow from its western and eastern boundaries. Accordingly, the pressure of climate change and the other factors on the species is also discussed. In addition, the record of N. strauchii from a new locality in Elaziǧ (Eastern Anatolia) is first provided in this study. © Biharean Biologist, Oradea, Romania, 2016.