Morphological investigation of Turkish tree frogs, Hyla arborea and Hyla savignyi (Anura : Hylidae)

The present study compares different Hyla populations from Anatolia and Turkish Thrace in order to better understand their taxonomic states and spatial distribution. The presence or absence of the anterodorsally oriented spur of the lateral stripe in the inguinal region differentiates the populations of Hyla arborea and Hyla savignyl. Discriminant analysis based on the characters shows that the Rize population differs significantly compared to the other investigated populations of H. arborea. The present study establishes the eastern and western distribution limits of H. arborea and H. savignyi, respectively, in southern Anatolia.