1. The Euphrates softshell turtle (Rafetus euphraticus) is the most threatened chelonian species in the Middle East, where it is endemic to the Tigris and Euphrates basins. Since the ecology of this species is little known, it is difficult to plan any reliable action for its correct management and conservation.
2. To enhance the scientific knowledge on R. euphraticus, and to establish a science-based management strategy, a detailed investigation was undertaken on the distribution, habitat, activity and home range of R. euphraticus in Turkey. The previous distribution records in Turkey are for the 1990s; thus, this study is the first comprehensive field research on the species after nearly 3 decades.
3. There was a significant sexual size dimorphism in the Turkish population, with males larger than females.
4. Four individuals were radiotracked for 1 year. The mean home range was highly variable depending on how it was calculated, but that of males was considerably greater than that of females by all methods used.
5. A quantitative evaluation was made of habitat change with time. The land cover classes potentially available to turtles in the Euphrates River basin increased by more than 100% between the 1990s and 2018: 92% of this enhancement was derived from water bodies and coastal lands.
6. Fifteen dams have been built in the lower part of the basins in the last 30 years. In addition, continuing human interactions have caused the fragmentation or destruction of suitable habitats for R. euphraticus.
7. The factors threatening R. euphraticus were assessed and a conservation action plan was developed. Some objectives such as monitoring and creating awareness of this action plan have been met while others are still waiting to be achieved.

中文翻译：

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确定栖息地范围、栖息地使用随时间的变化以及对土耳其濒临灭绝的淡水龟（Rafetus euphraticus）的威胁

1. 幼发拉底壳龟（Rafetus euphraticus）是中东地区受威胁最严重的龟类物种，它是底格里斯河和幼发拉底河流域的特有物种。由于该物种的生态知之甚少，因此很难为其正确管理和保护计划任何可靠的行动。
2. 为提高胡杨的科学知识，制定科学管理策略，对土耳其胡杨的分布、栖息地、活动和栖息地进行了详细调查。土耳其以前的分销记录是 1990 年代的；因此，这项研究是近 30 年来对该物种的首次综合实地研究。
3. 土耳其人口中存在显着的性别大小二态性，男性大于女性。
4. 对四个人进行了 1 年的放射跟踪。平均家庭范围因计算方式而异，但通过所有使用的方法，男性的家庭范围远大于女性的家庭范围。
5. 对栖息地随时间的变化进行了定量评估。在 1990 年代至 2018 年间，幼发拉底河流域海龟可能可用的土地覆盖等级增加了 100% 以上：这种增强的 92% 来自水体和沿海土地。
6. 在过去的 30 年里，在盆地的下部建造了 15 座大坝。此外，持续的人类互动导致了胡杨适宜栖息地的破碎或破坏。
7. 评估了威胁R. euphraticus的因素，并制定了保护行动计划。一些目标，例如监测和提高对该行动计划的认识已经实现，而其他目标仍在等待实现。