A Study on Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) in Amirkelayeh Wildlife Refuge and International Wetland in Guilan Province, Northern Iran

This is the first study on otters in the wetlands of Iran. We worked in Amirkelayeh Wildlife Refuge and International Wetland (Amirkelayeh W.R&I.W). In this investigation, we surveyed the quality of Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) sign distribution as a species presence index on the coast of Amirkelayeh (W.R&I.W). During a nine month period of monthly surveys, 673 signs were identified of which the majority were spraints. The number of spraints during different months differed significantly (χ2 =408.732, P<0.05). The results indicated a close negative correlation between frequency of fish and frequency of spraints (r = -1, P<0.01). Shorelines of the wetland showed significant differences in the mean value of spraint number (K=19.628, P<0.05). There were two hot spots with values greater than 66% “Spraint Presence Intensity” (SPI) during the nine month period. The number of spraints and SPI were correlated significantly (r=0.793, P<0.01). In addition, significant differences among “Types Of Sprainting Places” (χ2=130.723, P<0.05) and also in “Height of Sprainting places” (χ2= 459.408, P< 0.05) were observed. More than 89% of spraints were within 200 cm of the nearest cover. Association between presences of spraints and canals (χ2= 21.547, P<0.05 and λ=0.086), and also “chars” (access routes through reed beds between land and open water) (χ2= 63.691, P<0.05 and λ=0.210) were shown. “Reed Bed Breadth” in places with and without spraints differed significantly (U=495, P<0.05).