Ergün Taşkın

Antibacterial activities of some marine algae from the Aegean Sea (Turkey)

In this study, methanolic extracts of six marine algae belong to Rhodophyceae (Corallina officinalis), Phaeophyceae (Cystoseira barbata, Dictyota dichotoma, Halopteris filicina, Cladostephus spongiosus f. verticillatus) and Chlorophyceae (Ulva rigida) from the North Aegean Sea (Turkey) were studied for their antibacterial activity against pathogenic microbes, 3 gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus and Enterococcus faecalis) and 3 Gram negative (Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes and E. coli O157:H7) in vitro. Extracts of all the test marine algae except C. officinalis showed inhibition against S. aureus. On the other hand, highest inhibiton activity among all the extratcs was shown to E . aerogenes by C . officinalis. The extract from C. barbata has shown broader activity spectrum against all the test organisms.

Ecoregion-Based Conservation Planning in the Mediterranean: Dealing with Large-Scale Heterogeneity

Spatial priorities for the conservation of three key Mediterranean habitats, i.e. seagrass Posidonia oceanica meadows, coralligenous formations, and marine caves, were determined through a systematic planning approach. Available information on the distribution of these habitats across the entire Mediterranean Sea was compiled to produce basin-scale distribution maps. Conservation targets for each habitat type were set according to European Union guidelines. Surrogates were used to estimate the spatial variation of opportunity cost for commercial, non-commercial fishing, and aquaculture. Marxan conservation planning software was used to evaluate the comparative utility of two planning scenarios: (a) a whole-basin scenario, referring to selection of priority areas across the whole Mediterranean Sea, and (b) an ecoregional scenario, in which priority areas were selected within eight predefined ecoregions. Although both scenarios required approximately the same total area to be protected in order to achieve conservation targets, the opportunity cost differed between them. The whole-basin scenario yielded a lower opportunity cost, but the Alboran Sea ecoregion was not represented and priority areas were predominantly located in the Ionian, Aegean, and Adriatic Seas. In comparison, the ecoregional scenario resulted in a higher representation of ecoregions and a more even distribution of priority areas, albeit with a higher opportunity cost. We suggest that planning at the ecoregional level ensures better representativeness of the selected conservation features and adequate protection of species, functional, and genetic diversity across the basin. While there are several initiatives that identify priority areas in the Mediterranean Sea, our approach is novel as it combines three issues: (a) it is based on the distribution of habitats and not species, which was rarely the case in previous efforts, (b) it considers spatial variability of cost throughout this socioeconomically heterogeneous basin, and (c) it adopts ecoregions as the most appropriate level for large-scale planning.

First report of Microspongium globosum Reinke (Phaeophyceae, Myrionemataceae) in the Mediterranean Sea

Microspongium globosum Reinke (Phaeophyceae, Myrionemataceae) is reported for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea. This species was collected growing as an epiphyte from the Dardanelles (Sea of Marmara, Turkey) in the midlittoral zone (-1 m). Thalli formed small clumps, or tufts, 0.5-1.0 mm in diameter, consisting of branched erect filaments. Only plurilocular sporangia were observed. A key to the Mediterranean species of Microspongium is provided.

First report, based on morpho-anatomical data, of the green alga Pseudocodium okinawense (Bryopsidales, Chlorophyta) in the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract The green alga Pseudocodium okinawense is reported for the first time from the Mediterranean Sea. The collection of this species from a 54-m depth on a sandy-mud bottom on August 2017 near Kalkan, Turkey, also represents the first report of the genus Pseudocodium from the Mediterranean. The species was previously reported from southern Japan (type locality, Okinawa), Indonesia, New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea. Oil tankers and the several permanent/semi-permanent man-made structures are the likely vectors of introduction.

First report of the red alga Gayliella fimbriata in the Mediterranean Sea

Abstract The red alga Gayliella fimbriata (Ceramiaceae, Rhodophyta) is reported for the first time from the Mediterranean Sea. This species was collected growing as an epiphyte on Laurencia obtusa in the sublittoral zone at Antalya (Mediterranean coast of Turkey). Gayliella fimbriata is characterized by its protruding clavate gland cells. Features to distinguish the four Turkish species of Gayliella from one another are provided.

Proposal of Gelidium serra (S.G. Gmel.) comb. nov. to replace Gelidium bipectinatum G. Furnari (Rhodophyta)

Evidence is presented to recognise the poorly known name Fucus serra S.G. Gmel. as a member of Gelidium and that it is an older and available name for the taxon currently known as Gelidium bipectinatum G. Furnari (in Furnari et al.). Gelidium serra (S.G. Gmel.) E. Taşkin & M.J. Wynne comb. nov. is proposed. Plate 8, Figure 3 in Buxbaum (“Fucus humilis”), which was part of the protologue in Gmelin’s account of Fucus serra, is herein designated the lectotype of Fucus serra S.G. Gmelin. A collection made by J. Feldmann now in MICH is proposed to serve as the epitype of Gelidium serra.