Abstract
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.
Highlights
The human mediated translocations of marine species have drastically altered the biodiversity and food web structures of the Mediterranean Sea at an unprecedented rate
Two specimens of the ascidian Rhodosoma turcicum are being reported for the first time from the coasts of Turkey (Levantine Sea), in Fethiye Bay (36 ̊42’46.02’’N-28 ̊54’29.91’’E) at 6 m depth on a dead shell of Pinna nobilis in 2008 (Fig 1)
The present study includes yet unpublished dataon range extensions of some alien species: the red alga Polysiphonia morrowii was found for the first time in the Aegean Sea (Saroz Bay) in 2018; the polychaetes Leodice antennata and Dorvillea similis in the Aegean Sea (Ildir Bay) in 2011; the bivalves Arcuatula perfragilis and Paratapes textilis in the Aegean Sea (Akbuk) in 2018, and the fish Paranthias furcifer in the Levantine Sea (Antalya Bay) in 2003
Summary
The human mediated translocations of marine species have drastically altered the biodiversity and food web structures of the Mediterranean Sea at an unprecedented rate. Marine alien species in Turkey and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. There was no additional external funding received for this study
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
