Daily Activity Patterns and Overlap Activity of Medium–Large Mammals in Sülüklü Lake Nature Park, Western Black Sea Region, Türkiye

Türkiye, due to its position as a bridge between Asia and Europe, encompassing three distinct biogeographic regions and its diverse climatic conditions and geographical features, exhibits the characteristics of a small continent in terms of biodiversity, hosting a very high number of mammalian species. However, information on these mammals' activity patterns and co-occurrence, specifically in Türkiye, is limited. Our study aimed to reveal the daily activity patterns and temporal overlaps of mammalian species detected using camera traps in Sülüklü Lake Nature Park. The white-breasted hedgehog was strictly nocturnal, while the European badger, gray wolf, European hare, wild boar, and beech marten tended to be nocturnal. The Caucasian squirrel was strictly diurnal, and the roe deer tended to be diurnal. The highest temporal overlap was found between the white-breasted hedgehog and the beech marten (∆₄ = 0.84, 95% CI), followed by the red fox and roe deer (∆₁ = 0.77, 95% CI). The lowest temporal overlap (∆₁ = 0.081, 95% CI) was found between the white-breasted hedgehog and the Caucasian squirrel. The second lowest overlap (∆₁ = 0.136, 95% CI) occurred between the Caucasian squirrel and the European badger. Our findings have provided new and detailed insights into the diversity of mammalian species within the nature park located in Northwestern Anatolia. These data will support and facilitate future research aimed at understanding the mechanisms of species coexistence in this ecosystem. The results obtained will enable a deeper examination of ecosystem dynamics and contribute to developing strategies for biodiversity conservation.