Ertan Dagli

Alien species of spionid polychaetes (Streblospio gynobranchiata and Polydora cornuta) in Izmir Bay, eastern Mediterranean

The present study reports the occurrence of two exotic species of polychaetes in Izmir Bay, the eastern Mediterranean: Streblospio gynobranchiata, newly reported for the Mediterranean, and Polydora cornuta. Their establishment in the area is most probably transport by ballast water since these two species greatly dominated polluted muddy bottoms near and in Alsancak Harbour. The maximum density and biomass of S. gynobranchiata in the area were 34,270 ind m -2 and 9.4 g wwtm -2 , and those of P. cornuta were 3170 ind m -2 and 2.1 g wwt m -2 , respectively. These two species accounted for more than 60% of total faunal populations in the majority of samples collected in winter. Both species are capable of reproducing in the area both in summer and winter. The morphological, ecological and distributional characteristics of these species as well as their impacts on the prevailing ecosystem are analysed and discussed.

Spatio-temporal distributions of zoobenthos in Mersin Bay (Levantine Sea, eastern Mediterranean) and the importance of alien species in benthic communities

Abstract 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.

Annelids (Polychaeta and Oligochaeta) from the Sea of Marmara, with descriptions of five new species

This paper deals with annelids (Oligochaeta and Polychaeta) collected in the Sea of Marmara between 2006 and 2010 at depths from 0 to 66 m. A total of five oligochaete and 198 polychaete species were found. Five polychaete species, namely Prosphaerosyllis marmarae sp. nov., Levinsenia demiri sp. nov., Levinsenia kosswigi sp. nov., Levinsenia marmarensis sp. nov. and Levinsenia tribranchiata sp. nov. are new to science, and five oligochaete and 84 polychaete species are new to the fauna of the Sea of Marmara. A list of species found in the region and their maximum densities are presented at depth intervals. The present material includes six alien polychaete species, Paraprionospio coora, Polydora cornuta, Prionospio (Minuspio) pulchra, Pseudopolydora paucibranchiata, Chaetozone corona and Metasychis gotoi, of which the latter four species were new records for the region.

Occurrence of the lessepsian species Leonnates persicus (Polychaeta: Nereididae) in Izmir Bay, Aegean Sea

The recent establishment of the lessepsian species Leonnates persicus (Annelida: Polychaeta: Nereididae) in Izmir Bay (Aegean Sea) was investigated. A total of four specimens were collected at three stations in December 2001, with two specimens having eggs within their coelomic cavities and parapodia. A re-description of the species together with its ecological and distributional aspects are provided.

Polychaetes (Annelida: Polychaeta) from the Aegean and Levantine coasts of Turkey, with descriptions of two new species.

In this paper, soft-bottom polychaete species collected in August and September 2011 in the Aegean and Levantine Seas (4–325 m) are presented. A total of 358 species belonging to 48 families were found. Two species, Leonnates aylaoberi sp. nov. and Levinsenia materi sp. nov., are new to science and 14 species are new records for the marine fauna of Turkey. Syllidae and Spionidae were represented by a high number of species. The highest polychaete density was estimated as 5660 ind.m−2 in the area. The most dominant species in the area were Lumbrineris geldiayi, Owenia fusiformis and Sigambra tentaculata. A total of 21 alien polychaete species were encountered in the area, of which Streblospio gynobranchiata formed a dense population in the Aegean Sea (Izmir Bay), and Prionospio depauperata and Prionospio saccifera in the Levantine Sea. Four hot spot areas for the settlement of alien species were determined in the area. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:4ECEC9B2-1604-4768-B152-BBEAE257249F

Spionidae (Annelida: Polychaeta) from the Aegean Sea (eastern Mediterranean)

Abstract The present paper deals with spionid species (Spionidae) collected from various depths (4–183 m) and biotopes at 100 stations along the eastern part of the Aegean Sea in June–September 2000. A total of 35 species and 16 genera were identified, of which two species (Laonice norgensis and Spiophanes algidus) are new to the Mediterranean fauna, two species (Laonice bahusiensis and Polydora agassizi) are new to the eastern Mediterranean fauna, three species (Prionospio (Prionospio) saccifera, P. (P.) depauperata and Spiophanes afer) are new to the fauna of the Aegean Sea and four species are new to the fauna of Turkey. Prionospio (Prionospio) fallax and P. (P.) steenstrupi were represented by the highest dominance values, and Laonice cirrata and P. (M.) cf. multibranchiata by the highest frequency index values. The maximum number of species (28) were found on muddy bottom at 5–25 m. Nine species [Laonice norgensis, Paraprionospio coora, Polydora cornuta, Prionospio (Prionospio) depauperata, P. (P.) saccifera, P. (Minuspio) pulchra, Pseudopolydora paucibranchiata, Spiophanes algidus and Streblospio gynobranchiata] can be classified as alien.

Description of a new species of Lumbrineris (Polychaeta: Lumbrineridae) from the coasts of Turkey (eastern Mediterranean)

The examination of sandy mud samples collected at 5–67 m depths in 2005 and 2009 on the Aegean and Levantine coasts of Turkey revealed the presence of specimens belonging to a new species of Lumbrineris (Polychaeta, Lumbrineridae), L. geldiayi. This species is mainly characterized by having maxillae III as an arcuate, unidentate plate; reddish aciculae; anterior and posterior parapodia with postchaetal lobe always longer than prechaetal lobe, median parapodia with both lobes of similar length; and composite multidentate hooded hooks with short blade and simple multidentate hooded hooks of two sizes, preacicular hooks being bigger than postacicular hooks. A key to Lumbrineris species from Mediterranean Sea is included.

Occurrence of Diopatramarocensis (Annelida, Onuphidae) in the eastern Mediterranean.

Abstract The present study deals with the presence of Diopatra marocensis in the eastern Mediterranean. This species is small-sized and inhabited muddy bottom near the opening of rivers or lagoons [salinity range: 33−39‰] in the Aegean and Levantine Seas, and reached a maximum density of 90 ind.m-2 in Mersin Bay. This species might be an alien species that was introduced from the East Atlantic (near Gibraltar) to the eastern Mediterranean via ballast water of ships, as it has never been reported from the western Mediterranean Sea.

Macrobenthic fauna associated with the invasive alien species Brachidontes pharaonis (Mollusca: Bivalvia) in the Levantine Sea (Turkey)

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.

Within-year spatio-temporal variation in meiofaunal abundance and community structure, Sinop Bay, the Southern Black Sea

Abstract The first comprehensive meiobenthos study was carried out in Turkey, the Southern Black Sea (Sinop) from August 2009 to July 2010.Sediment samples were collected monthly at eight stations at 3 m and 10 m water depths located on four transects. A metal push core sampler (surface area 12.56 cm2 and length 10 cm was used to obtain the material. Meiofaunal abundance and composition were examined. The results revealed that the meiofaunal community consists of twenty five higher taxonomic groups. Four groups dominated the community; Nematoda, Harpacticoida, Foraminifera and Polyuchaeta. Spatial and temporal meiofaunal abundance fluctuated among stations and over time.