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The 2020's update of marine alien species list from Turkey yielded a total of 539 species belonging to 18 taxonomic groups, 404 of which have become established in the region and 135 species are casual. A total of 185 new alien species have been added to the list since the previous update of 2011. The present compilation includes reports of an ascidian species (Rhodosoma turcicum) new to the marine fauna of Turkey and range extensions of six species. Among the established species, 105 species have invasive characters at least in one zoogeographic region, comprising 19% of all alien species. Mollusca ranked first in terms of the number of species (123 species), followed by Foraminifera (91 species), Pisces (80 species) and Arthropoda (79 species). The number of alien species found in seas surrounding Turkey ranged from 28 (Black Sea) to 413 (Levantine Sea). The vectoral importance of the Suez Canal diminishes when moving from south to north, accounting for 72% of species introductions in the Levantine Sea vs. only 11% of species introductions in the Black Sea. Most alien species on the coasts of Turkey were originated from the Red Sea (58%), due to the proximity of the country to the Suez Canal. Shipping activities transported 39% of alien species, mainly from the Indo-Pacific area (20%) and the Atlantic Ocean (10%). Misidentified species (such as Pterois volitans, Trachurus declivis, etc.) and species those classified as questionable or cryptogenic were omitted from the list based on new data gathered in the last decade and expert judgements. The documented impacts of invasive species on socio-economy, biodiversity and human health in the last decade as well as the legislation and management backgrounds against alien species in Turkey are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1.The coralligenous habitat was studied at the large Mediterranean scale, by applying a standardized, non‐destructive photo‐sampling protocol, developed in the framework of the CIGESMED project.2.The results provided evidence to support the following statements: (a) the assemblage pattern is not homogeneously distributed across the four Mediterranean ecoregions studied (biotic gradients hypothesis); and (b) the assemblage pattern does not change significantly when the information is aggregated to higher taxonomic levels (taxonomic sufficiency hypothesis).3.Surrogate taxonomic categories higher than species, such as genus and family, can be used to reveal the multivariate pattern of the coralligenous assemblages.4.Although preliminary at the pan‐Mediterranean scale, these outcomes set the scene for future comparisons as more data sets become available but also for comparisons between taxonomic and functional patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research surveys were conducted in a protection area between June and September 2008 along the coast of Fethiye Bay, Turkey. A total of 999 specimens of isopods belonging to 15 families and 41 species were captured at 82 localities with depths ranging between 0 and 30 m from various substrates. Of these, 25 species (Cleantis prismatica, Astacilla longicornis, Apanthura corsica, Jaera hopeana, Janira maculosa, J. nordmanni, Bopyrus squillarum, Cirolana cranchii, Eurydice affinis, Cymodoce emarginata, C. hanseni, C. tuberculata, C. spinosa, Dynamene bifida, D. edwardsi, D. magnitorata, Ischyromene lacazei, Lekanesphaera monodi, Sphaeroma walkeri, Joeropsis brevicornis littoralis, Limnoria lignorum, Paranthura nigropunctata, Synischia hectica, Stenosoma capito, Halophiloscia couchi) were new records from the Levantine Sea coast of Turkey. The most abundant species found in Fethiye Bay were Ligia italica, J. hopeana and J. maculosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The invasive alien mytilid species, Brachidontes pharaonis, forms a biogenic habitat in the mediolittoral and upper-infralittoral zones of the Levantine Sea, hosting a number of alien and native species. Examinations of samples taken from dense, continuous mussel beds at seven stations along the coast of northern Levantine Sea yielded 187 macro-benthic invertebrate species belonging to 11 taxonomic groups. Polychaeta accounted for 46% and 37% of the total number of species and individuals, respectively. The top three dominant species in the mussel beds were Stenothoe gallensis, Spirobranchus kraussi and Mytilaster minimus. The species with the highest frequency values on the mussel beds were Pseudonereis anomala, Phascolosoma stephensoni and Elasmopus pocillimanus. The highest density and biomass of the associated fauna were estimated as 42,550 ind m−2 and 1503 wwt g m−2, respectively. The species number in samples varied between 14 and 47 species. The environmental variables best explaining variations in zoobenthic community structures were salinity, dissolved oxygen and total inorganic nitrogen in the water column. The biotic indices, TUBI and ALEX, classified the ecological status of one or two stations as moderate or poor, based on the relative abundances of ecological and zoogeographic groups, respectively. A total of 21 alien species were found to be associated with the mussel bed, of which Syllis ergeni is being newly considered as a new established alien species for the Mediterranean Sea. The maximum density of associated alien species was calculated as 30,300 ind m−2. The alien species assemblages were greatly affected by salinity and total inorganic nitrogen. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

New findings about the distribution area of Penaeus aztecus and Metapenaeus affinis were reported with this study. Diagnostic features of the both species and some morphometric measures of the specimens were given. In addition, the recent occurrence map of these species in the Mediterranean Sea is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two hydromedusa species of Aequorea, Aequorea forskalea and Aequorea globose, have previously been reported as the first record for the Turkish fauna from Iskenderun Bay on the Levantine Sea coast. The present study introduces Aequorea pensilis which was observed for the first time on the Turkish coast of the Aegean Sea in May 2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biotic indices are mainly aimed at assessing levels of deterioration caused by chemical or organic pollution. However, no biotic index to date has been developed to detect impacts of alien species on benthic communities. In this paper, a new biotic index, namely ALEX, is proposed to address the objectives of the Water Framework Directive and was tested in Mersin Bay (Levantine Sea, Turkey). Species were divided into four biogeographic groups, namely native species, casual species, established species and invasive species, and the metric considers the relative importance of these groups in samples. The index classified the ecological status of some stations which are shallow, and close to harbor and river mouths as bad or poor in February and October. The ALEX values were positively and significantly correlated with total nitrogen, silicate and silt percentage in sediment, and negatively correlated with depth and the distance from the harbor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatio-temporal variations of soft-bottom zoobenthic communites in Mersin Bay were examined at seven stations between February and October 2009. A total of 337 species were encountered, of which Polychaeta had the highest number of species (136 species), and Mollusca possessed the highest number of individuals (65% of total specimens) and biomass (59% of total biomass). The highest benthos density (max. 9760 ind. m−2) and biomass (max. 133 g m−2) were found at shallow-water stations, whereas the highest diversity index values were calculated at the deepest station. The molluscs Cerithidium diplax, Corbula gibba and Bittium reticulatum dominated the area. Changes of zoobenthic communities were spatial rather than temporal and were strongly correlated with depth and the sediment structures. A total of 40 alien species were found in the area, of which 15 species were possibly transported to the area by ships and the others were Lessepsian migrants. The most domiant alien species in the area were C. diplax, Finella pupoides, Notomastus mossambicus and Amphiodia obtecta. Alien species formed dense populations at shallow water stations, and accounted for 12% of total number of species and 31% of total number of individuals in the area. The community parameters estimated for alien species significantly differed among stations but not among sampling periods. The main factors negatively affecting the number of alien species and individuals were depth, the clay percentage and total organic carbon concentration in sediment. The number of native species and individuals in the area show moderate positive correlations with those of aliens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The soft-bottom zoobenthic community structure of Izmir Bay was examined seasonally at eight stations (depth-range: 19–67 m) in 2009. A total of 427 species were found. Polychaeta had the highest number of species (50% of total species) and individuals (75%), whereas Echinodermata possessed the highest biomass (47%). The number of species varied from 3 to 79 (0.1 m−2), the density from 60 to 5360 ind.m−2, and the biomass from 1 to 530 g.m−2. The most numerically dominant species were the polychaetes Aricidea claudiae, Streblospio gynobranchiata, Levinsenia demiri and Sternaspis scutata. The distribution of zoobenthos was strongly related to spatial differences in total organic carbon, sediment texture and depth among different regions of the bay rather than temporal differences among seasons. However, significant seasonal variability in community structure (mainly differences in the relative abundance of species) was present. The inner region of the bay can be classified as ‘poor’ or ‘bad’ based on the results of biotic indices (H′, AMBI, m-AMBI and BENTIX). Among biotic indices, only H′ and m-AMBI appeared to be capable of explaining the bay's benthic quality status. Thirteen alien species were also found. Streblospio gynobranchiata, Prionospio pulchra, Pseudopolydora paucibranchiata and Polydora cornuta formed dense populations in the inner most polluted part of the bay and are considered to be new pollution indicator species in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper concerns 2 new shrimp records, Eualus sollaudi (Zariquiey Cenarro, 1935) and Palaemonella rotumana (Borradaile, 1898), found during sampling performed by scuba divers near the coast in Fethiye Bay (the eastern Mediterranean, Turkey) in June and July 2008. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Temporal and spatial variation in soft-bottom benthic communities following recovery from a pollution episode were studied between January and September 2004 in and around Alsancak Harbor, located in the polluted part of Izmir Bay (Aegean Sea, eastern Mediterranean). Samples were collected at seven stations by van Veen grab. Three additional stations were sampled by means of a beam trawl to take into account large mobile animals and for a better estimate of the local biodiversity. A total of 231 species belonging to 10 zoobenthic groups were found. Polychaetes contributed 90% of the total faunal populations and mollusks 87% of the total biomass in the area. Community parameters varied significantly among stations and sampling periods; number of species ranged from 2 to 79 per 0.1 m2 grab sample; density from 20 to 81,720 ind·m−2; biomass from 0.1 to 4190 g·m−2; Shannon–Wiener diversity index (log2 base) from 0.4 to 4.4; and Pielou's evenness index from 0.11 to 1.0. Collections indicate that a number of species, including those sensitive to pollution, have colonized the area where azoic conditions had been previously reported. A total of six exotic species, Streblospio gynobranchiata, Polydora cornuta, Hydroides dianthus, Hydroides elegans, Anadara demiri and Fulvia fragilis, probably transferred to the area via ballast water or hull fouling, dominated soft or hard substrata in and near Alsancak Harbor. The first two species accounted for more than 70% of the total population in the area, while A. demiri contributed the most to the biomass (93%, at station 7). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study deals with benthic community structures of mussel beds (Mytilus galloprovincialis) in the Sea of Marmara, including the Çanakkale and İstanbul Straits. The Sea of Marmara's mussel beds were mainly formed by small-sized mussel individuals (shell length <4 cm). Macrobenthic species associated with the mussels support high diversity in the region, comprising 184 species belonging to 11 taxonomic groups. The annelids (38% of total number of species) were the most diverse group and arthropods (48% of total number of individuals) the most abundant. Motile species numerically dominated mussel beds at stations, while epibiont fauna were relatively low in terms of number of species and abundance. Five different species assemblages were identified in the region, which appeared to be mainly influenced by some biotic (e.g. mussel biomass, alien species) and abiotic (e.g. salinity) factors. The assemblages were mainly characterized by having high abundances of three crustacean (Jassa marmorata , Hyale schmidti and Melita palmata) and one polychaete (Platynereis dumerilii) species. Seven alien species were found at stations, of which the small-sized anthozoon Diadumene cincta accounted for 86% of total number of individuals of alien species. • The Marmara Sea's mussel beds were mainly composed of small-sized mussels. • The mussel beds had a diverse associated fauna. • Different species assemblages occurred in the region. • The community structures were mainly affected by salinity and mussel biomass • Invasive alien species occurred in mussel beds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a note on the occurrence of Balssia Gasti ( Decapoda, Pontoniinae) in the Aegean Sea. One male specimen of the pontoniine shrimp was sampled at a depth of 50 meters on coralligenous substrate off Markiz Island. In the Balssia gasti specimens from the Azores, the rostrum does not reach the tip of the third segment of the antennular peduncle, while in the illustrations of Mediterranean females, it distinctly overlaps the third segment.

The fauna associated to the sponge Sarcotragus foetidus was studied in two eco-regions of the Mediterranean Sea, the Aegean and Levantine Seas. A total of 134 species belonging to 8 taxonomic groups were determined. Different species assemblages were encountered in the eco-regions, mainly due to the importance of some alien species (Red Sea invaders) on sponge communities. Among community parameters, only the number of species differed significantly among the sub-regions. The number of species and the number of individuals were significantly and positively correlated with the sponge volume. The species assemblage patterns determined were significant correlated with a set of environmental variables such as nitrogen, phosphate and dissolved oxygen. Some alien species such as the ophiuroid Ophiactis savignyi and the polychaete Leonnates indicus densely invaded porous systems of sponges in the Levantine Sea, indicating the magnitude of impacts of alien species on the eastern Mediterranean ecosystem. In the Levantine Sea, the alien species accounted for 34% of total number of individuals of macro-invertebrates associated with sponges, but the percentage rose up to 64% in Iskenderun Bay (eastern-most point of studied area). The biotic index ALEX detected a moderate ecological status in the area in terms of the impacts of alien species on native biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some specimens of the blue crab are bearing barnacles which have been identified as Chelonibia patula. Although generally known in the Mediterranean Sea this is the first report of C. patula from the Turkish coasts. It has been photographed and some morphometric measurements are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The amphipod Abludomelita aculeata, previously known from the western Mediterranean and the Lusitanian region of the eastern Atlantic, is reported for the first time from the eastern Mediterranean. The record is based on two adult males collected off İzmir, Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the population of sea spiders in the Middle East. The objective of the study is to determine the number of the said species found in the area. Researchers conduct a benthic survey at the Mediterranean coast identifying that only one species found, Ascorhynchus castelli. They have recorded 24 pycnogonid species found in Turkish coast which also reflects the previous occurrence of the said species for the Eastern Mediterranean Basin.

The study was carried out along the Cyprus coast, Levantine basin. A total of 9 samplings were conducted at 5 stations and 2 different biotopes. One species (Gnathia dentata) is reported for the first time from the Mediterranean Sea, two species (Campecopea hirsuta and Eurydice truncata) are new for the eastern Mediterranean Sea, and two species (Cyathura carinata and Paradella dianae) for the fauna of Cyprus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]