An oasis for alien benthic Foraminifera in the Aegean Sea

Engin Meriç,Baki Yokeş,Cüneyt Bircan,Niyazi Avşar

doi:10.3391/ai.2010.5.2.10

Abstract

The benthic foraminiferal fauna in Pamucak Cove (NW Kusadasi, Turkey) was investigated. A rich foraminiferal assemblage was observed around submarine springs, which were located 200 m off the coast. This foraminiferal assemblage is typical Mediterranean. However, the abundance of alien species is noteworthy. Fourteen alien foraminifera were found. Indo-pacific originated species; Quinqueloculina sp. C, Triloculina sp. A, Pyramidulina catesbyi (d’Orbigny), Brizalina simpsoni (HeronAllen and Earland) and Amphistegina lessonii d’Orbigny were observed for the first time on the Turkish coastline. Specimens of Haddonia sp. and Cymbaloporetta plana (Cushman), abundantly observed in SW Antalya and Nodopthalmidium antillarum (Cushman), previously recorded from Iskenderun were also found in the study area, these are the first records for these species in the Aegean Sea. In addition, seven individuals of Euthymonacha polita (Chapman) were found around the springs, and this constitutes the first record of this species in the entire Mediterranean Sea.

Highlights

Many alien marine species have been recorded in the Eastern Mediterranean
32 alien foraminiferan species have been reported from the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts of Turkey (Meriç et al 2008a)
Amphistegina lobifera has been recorded in the northern Aegean Sea and in the eastern Sea of Marmara (Meriç and Avşar 2001; Meriç et al 2005), indicating that this species can adapt to much lower temperatures

Summary

Introduction

Many alien marine species have been recorded in the Eastern Mediterranean. 32 alien foraminiferan species have been reported from the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts of Turkey (Meriç et al 2008a). The majority of these species are only observed on the Mediterranean coast, most probably because of their IndoPacific origin and high temperature preferences.

Results

Conclusion