Ecology and distribution of ostracods in Mardin and Muş provinces in Turkey

Abstract

A total of 78 taxa (58 spp) were found from 164 different aquatic sites in Mardin (65 sites) and Mus (99 sites) provinces during August 2013. Of them, 33 living species and 14 subfossils were found from 58 sites of Mardin, while 46 living and 15 subfossils were identified from 91 sites in Mus. All species were new records for both provinces. Bisexual populations of 13 species were reported. Vestalenula boteai, Hemicypris inversus, Hemicypris congenera, Cypretta hirsuta and bisexual populations of Trajancypris clavata and Psychrodromus robertsoni were reported for the first time from Turkey. Cypretta hirsuta was found for the first time out of its type region and locality. Now, the total numbers of bisexual ostracods in Turkey is increased up to 79 species. CCA explained 73.3% of relationships between species and environmental variables. Water temperature, pH and elevation were the most influential factors on species assemblages. Ecological tolerance and optimum estimates of individual species with different sexual mode showed fluctuations for different variables. Although elevation may play a deterministic role on species distribution, response to elevation can be species-specific, and related to several other environmental factors.