Aegean Coast Of Turkey Research Articles

New observations of alien foraminifera on the Turkish coasts of the Aegean Sea (2012-2015)

During the benthic foraminiferal surveys conducted on the Aegean coasts of Turkey between 2012-2015, new alien species have been observed. These were either recent introductions, such as Cornuspiroides striolatus (Brady), Nodobaculariella cristobalensis McCulloch, N. galapagosensis McCulloch, Pseudonodosaria discreta (Reuss), Polymorphina fistulosa (Cushman) or south to north range expansions of the species previously known to inhabit Levant Basin, Cyclorbiculina compressa (d’Orbigny). Besides, Amphistegina lobifera Larsen which has been known to inhabit Kuşadası Bay and nothwestern coasts of Karaburun Peninsula has also been abundantly observed around Doğanbey Bay. Warm submarine springs are suggested to be the main cause of these thermophilic species to settle and form stable populations on the Aegean cost of Turkey. On the other hand salinity variations may also help to the spreading of these aliens. Thus, it is suggested that new introductions may follow in the near future.

A new Nebalia species (Crustacea, Phyllocarida, Leptostraca) from the eastern Mediterranean Sea

Nebalia mediterranea sp. nov. (Crustacea, Leptostraca) is described from the Aegean coast of Turkey and Northern Cyprus. The new species is closely related to other sympatric species in the eastern Mediterranean, N. strausi and N. kocatasi, according to general body appearance. The new species differs, however, from other Nebalia species in having a rostrum about 2.5 times as long as wide, the antennular scale is clearly more than twice as long as wide, the fourth article of the antennule has only one short thick distal spine, the third article of the antenna has three similar spine-like setae on external lateral face, the first article of the second maxilla endopod is 1.2 times as long as the second article, the exopod of the second maxilla is longer than the first article of the endopod, pleonites 5–7 have distally rounded to slightly truncated denticles along posterior dorsal borders, the protopod of pleopod 4 has 4 serrations along posterior border, and the terminal seta of the uropods is about 1.8 the length of rami.

A Comparison of Alternative Circle Hook (Kahle Hook) and J Style Hook Performance in Experimental Pelagic Longline Fishery in Turkey

In recent years, circle hooks have been encouraged as an alternative to traditional J-hooks in pelagic longline fisheries to minimize by-catch mortality and injury to sea turtles and other marine wildlife. Prior to this study, circle hooks had not been used by domestic commercial pelagic longliners in Turkey. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of kahle hook comparing with J-style hook baited with sardine (Sardina pilchardus) in pelagic longline fishery in the Aegean coast of Turkey (Kuşadası Bay).We used conventional J-style hooks (Mustad 2315DT-4/0) and kahle hooks (Eagle Claw142A-6/0) for each fishing operation and compared catch rates, catch compositions of target and non-target species. The relative performance of kahle and traditional J-style hooks was tested during 22 valid pelagic longline fishing operations between August 2010 and December 2012. A total of 2200 hooks were used equally amongkahle and J-style hooks consecutively. Captured fish were identified, total and fork lengths were measured,weighed, the time of haulback, and hook type as well as by-catch fish were recorded. A total of 78 fish were caught belonging to 13 species during the samplings. The overall CPUE was 4.73 fishes per 100 hooks for kahle hooks and 2.46 fishes for J-style hooks. For the CPUE of all fishes, the difference was statistically significant (Z = -1.977; P<0.05), in favour of the kahle hook being almost two times greater than the J-style hook. Likewise CPUE was 17007.69 g per 100 hooks for kahle style hooks and 4807.27 g for J-style hooks (Z = -1.997; P<0.05). While no difference was found between two hook models on by-catch species, kahle hooks were more efficient in comparison to J hooks on discard species. Swordfish (Xiphiasgladius) had the highest CPUE (2.82) among all species for kahle hooks followed by silver scabbard fish (Lepidopuscaudatus), 0.64. For J-style hooks, silver scabbard fish catch had the highest CPUE (0.64) followed by swordfish (0.55).

Geographical distribution and frequencies of organophosphate-resistant Ace alleles and morphometric variations in olive fruit fly populations.

In the Mediterranean basin, organophosphate (OP) insecticides have been used intensively to control olive fly populations. Acetylcholinesterase (Ace) is the molecular target of OP insecticides, and three resistance-associated mutations that confer different levels of OP insensitivity have been identified. In this study, genotypes of olive fly Ace were determined in field-collected populations from broad geographical areas in Turkey. In addition, the levels of asymmetry of wing and leg characters were compared in these populations. Our study revealed the existence of a genetically smooth stratification pattern in OP resistance allele distribution in the olive fly populations of Turkey. In contrast to earlier findings, the frequency of Δ3Q was found to be lower in the Aegean region, where the populations have been subjected to high selection pressure. Results based on the morphological differences among the samples revealed a similar pattern for both sides and did not demonstrate a clear separation. The frequencies and geographic range of resistance alleles indicate that they were selected in the Aegean coast of Turkey and then spread westward towards Europe. One possible explanation for the absence of morphological asymmetry in olive fly samples might be the presence of modifier allele(s) that compensate for the increase in asymmetry.

The presence of Alpheus lobidens De Haan, 1849 (Decapoda, Alpheidae) on the Turkish Aegean Sea coast

A male specimen of Alpheus lobidens De Haan, 1849 was collected on the Aegean coast of Turkey. It is the second Lessepsian species belonging to the genus Alpheus from the Turkish coast of the Aegean Sea.

Ecological status of coastal waters of Ayvalık (Aegean Sea, Turkey) assessed by the EEI method

Macroalgae and angiosperms are proposed as biological elements to assess the ecological status of coastal waters and transitional systems by the EU Water Framework Directive. Recently, the Ecological Evaluation Index (EEI) was intercalibrated in the Mediterranean eco-region by the Mediterranean Geographic Intercalibration Group (MEDGIG). In the present paper, the EEI was tested at two different localities, the inner and outer bays of the city Ayvalik located on the Aegean coast of Turkey. The study shows a high ecological quality for the outer bay, whereas, the inner bay is of moderate quality.

Reduction of streamflow monitoring networks by a reference point approach

Adoption of an integrated approach to water management strongly forces policy and decision-makers to focus on hydrometric monitoring systems as well. Existing hydrometric networks need to be assessed and revised against the requirements on water quantity data to support integrated management. One of the questions that a network assessment study should resolve is whether a current monitoring system can be consolidated in view of the increased expenditures in time, money and effort imposed on the monitoring activity. Within the last decade, governmental monitoring agencies in Turkey have foreseen an audit on all their basin networks in view of prevailing economic pressures. In particular, they question how they can decide whether monitoring should be continued or terminated at a particular site in a network. The presented study is initiated to address this question by examining the applicability of a method called “reference point approach” (RPA) for network assessment and reduction purposes. The main objective of the study is to develop an easily applicable and flexible network reduction methodology, focusing mainly on the assessment of the “performance” of existing streamflow monitoring networks in view of variable operational purposes. The methodology is applied to 13 hydrometric stations in the Gediz Basin, along the Aegean coast of Turkey. The results have shown that the simplicity of the method, in contrast to more complicated computational techniques, is an asset that facilitates the involvement of decision makers in application of the methodology for a more interactive assessment procedure between the monitoring agency and the network designer. The method permits ranking of hydrometric stations with regard to multiple objectives of monitoring and the desired attributes of the basin network. Another distinctive feature of the approach is that it also assists decision making in cases with limited data and metadata. These features of the RPA approach highlight its advantages over the existing network assessment and reduction methods.

New records of three dictyotalean brown algae for Turkey

Abstract In the present paper, three dictyotalean brown algae (Dictyopteris lucida, Dictyota cyanoloma, and Padina pavonicoides) are reported for the first time from Turkey. D. cyanoloma and P. pavonicoides are also reported for the first time from the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The species were collected in the sublittoral zone near İzmir (Aegean coast of Turkey). The data concerning the habitat and morphology of these species are presented.

Quantification of cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) camouflage: a study of color and luminance using in situ spectrometry

Cephalopods are renowned for their ability to adaptively camouflage on diverse backgrounds. Sepia officinalis camouflage body patterns have been characterized spectrally in the laboratory but not in the field due to the challenges of dynamic natural light fields and the difficulty of using spectrophotometric instruments underwater. To assess cuttlefish color match in their natural habitats, we studied the spectral properties of S. officinalis and their backgrounds on the Aegean coast of Turkey using point-by-point in situ spectrometry. Fifteen spectrometry datasets were collected from seven cuttlefish; radiance spectra from animal body components and surrounding substrates were measured at depths shallower than 5 m. We quantified luminance and color contrast of cuttlefish components and background substrates in the eyes of hypothetical di- and trichromatic fish predators. Additionally, we converted radiance spectra to sRGB color space to simulate their in situ appearance to a human observer. Within the range of natural colors at our study site, cuttlefish closely matched the substrate spectra in a variety of body patterns. Theoretical calculations showed that this effect might be more pronounced at greater depths. We also showed that a non-biological method ("Spectral Angle Mapper"), commonly used for spectral shape similarity assessment in the field of remote sensing, shows moderate correlation to biological measures of color contrast. This performance is comparable to that of a traditional measure of spectral shape similarity, hue and chroma. This study is among the first to quantify color matching of camouflaged cuttlefish in the wild.

The dense micro-earthquake activity at the boundary between the Anatolian and South Aegean microplates

The Aegean coast of Turkey is a transition zone between the Anatolian and the South Aegean microplates. The recent geophysical studies suggest the existence of additional microplates and suggest a modification of the block boundaries; the Karaburun Peninsula is most likely located on one of these boundaries. The earthquake activity in and around the peninsula was very low until the Mw 5.8 Sığacık Bay earthquake of 17 October 2005. The continuing seismicity in the Karaburun Peninsula has been monitored with the help of the dense seismology network. I re-located more than 5000 earthquakes using the double-difference algorithm and obtained fault plane solutions to understand the seismotectonic properties of the region. It is found that the micro-seismic activity has increased towards the NW of the Sığacık Bay. These observations imply the existence of a NW–SE-oriented sinistral strike-slip fault. This fault is possibly a conjugate of the dominant NE–SW-oriented dextral strike-slip faults in this transition region occupying the area between western Anatolia and the mainland of Greece, where a dominantly extensional regime prevails. Moreover, it is clear that the micro-earthquake activity is related to the Uzunkuyu Intrusive located in the middle of an approximately 40km strike-slip Karaburun Seismic Zone between the Sığacık and Gerence bays.

A new species of Favognathus Luxton, 1973 (Acari: Cryptognathidae) from the Aegean coast of Turkey

ABSTRACT A new species of Favognathus izmirensis is described and illustrated from the Aegean coast (between Edremit and Gokova Gulf), Turkey. A key to the species of Favognathus from Turkey is provided.

Detection of prokaryotic microbial communities of Çamaltı Saltern, Turkey, by fluorescein in situ hybridization and real-time PCR

Knowledge of the functions, interactions, and diversity of extremely halophilic microorganisms mostly comes from the results of studies performed in different salterns throughout the world. As model habitats, salterns allow the comparison of different techniques used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of halophilic communities in these hypersaline environments. Çamaltı Saltern is the biggest coastal solar saltern located on the Aegean coast of Turkey, and it produces most of the salt consumed in the country. In the present study, detection of prokaryotic communities of the Çamaltı Saltern was performed using 2 culture-independent methods. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and fluorescein in situ hybridization (FISH) techniques were evaluated to analyze the microbial populations of Çamaltı Saltern. Of the Çamaltı samples, 48% to 67% were hybridized with the EUB338 probe and 33% to 57% were hybridized with the ARC915 probe. Repeatability of the RT-PCR experiments with environmental DNA was considered insufficient. However, FISH analysis may be combined with RT-PCR and these 2 techniques may be used in tandem to rapidly reveal quantitative aspects of the microbial population of hypersaline environments.

Evaluation of Architectural Characteristics for Conservation Decisions of Değirmendağı, İzmir, Turkey

Historical settlements, which are integral parts of the cultural heritage, should be documented and evaluated with their local characteristics. The aim of this study is to document, analyze and evaluate the architectural, environmental and social characteristics of an urban settlement called Değirmendağı District, which has a historical background beginning with the Roman period to the present, in the center of metropolitan city of İzmir, on the Aegean coast of Turkey. The settlement is one of the earliest that was planned by local administration in İzmir and contributes to the İzmir silhouette with its location on a steep hillside in the township of Konak. Documentation methods used are sketches, photography and architectural and social questionnaires. Inventory cards were prepared to collect architectural characteristics of each building and the social questionnaires were comprised of socio–economic characteristics of the settlers. Data gathered at the site was analyzed and evaluated to develop a conservation approach, including historical review of the ancient era. Since the area is easily accessible and close to city center, the area becomes attractive. It has the advantage of the vista based on its inclined topography and grid-planned scheme. Değirmendağı District is a special area requiring special conservation within the city of İzmir. However, historical pattern has changed through the years because of changing lifestyle. The area, which is one of the most important and valuable districts in İzmir considering its history, location, and architectural characteristics should be integrated with the city and citizens. This study documents the present potentials and values of the area and forms a basis to prepare conservation approaches.

Changing Land Cover Characteristics of a Developing Coastal Town: A Case Study of Didim, Turkey

Didim Peninsula, on the Aegean coast of Turkey, has been experiencing a relatively slow but steady social and ecological transformation since the 1990s. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism declared this area a tourism development region in 2005; thus, major investments and developments are already planned. This may negatively impact the surrounding ecologically important ecosystems in the study area. Understanding and monitoring Didim's development is necessary to guide the ministry in promoting sustainable planning and management, as well as mitigating the adverse effects on the ecosystems. The present work aims to detect land use and cover changes of the Didim Peninsula between 1994 and 2005 by using satellite images and remote sensing and geographic information system technologies. Orthorectified Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (2005) and Spot 2X (1994) images are used in the object-oriented classification. The main analytical procedures include image preprocessing, image classification, accuracy assessment, postclassification change detection, and normalized difference vegetation index analyses. Results show three distinct processes taking place in the study area: expansion of artificial surfaces and arable lands; ongoing succession of the vegetation cover, mainly in the central and southwest areas; and transformation from a dense and vigorous vegetation cover to a less dense and sometimes discontinuous vegetation cover, mainly in the east and northeast. Identified trends may have significant consequences in terms of the response that ecosystems give to these changes. A strategy to promote sustainable land use management should be generated timely manner.

Seeing the Sea: Ships' Eyes in Classical Greece

Excavations in the Athenian Agora have brought to light fragments of three sculpted marble eyes, or ophthalmoi, from Classical levels in and around the Tholos precinct. The discovery of similar objects at the ancient harbor of Zea, and more recently in association with a Classical Greek ship wrecked off the Aegean coast of Turkey, makes clear that all are examples of the eyes that decorated the bows of ancient Greek ships. Three hypotheses are offered to explain the presence of nautical artifacts within the Agora: they may have served as honorific fixtures relating to the fleet; represented surplus naval equipment stored in the Strategeion; or belonged to a wheeled ship used in the Anthesteria or the Greater Panathenaia festival.

Contributions to the Eastern Mediterranean Opisthobranchia (Mollusca: Gastropoda) Fauna of Turkey

Studies of Opisthobranchia diversity in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea are scarce. In the present study Opisthobranchia species collected along the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts of Turkey in 2004 and 2005 were evaluated. Samples were taken from Çanakkale Strait and the northern coast of Gelibolu Peninsula in the northern Aegean Sea, and from Bodrum, Bay of Fethiye, Kaş, and Adrasan along Turkey´s Mediterranean coast. Sampling was carried out by means of scuba diving. In some locations a bottom dredge sampler was used. In all, 321 individuals were collected, representing 30 species from 7 orders. Among the sampled species, 8 are new taxonomical records for Turkish coasts: Trapania lineata, T. maculata, Diaphorodoris papillata, D. luteocincta, Limacia clavigera, Chromodoris elegantula, Hypselodoris orsinii, and Phyllidia flava. Some of these species, however, were previously recorded in photographs from Turkey taken by amateur divers and underwater photographers.

Bycatch Reduction in Trammel Net Fishery for Prawn (Melicertus kerathurus) by Using Guarding Net in İzmir Bay on Aegean Coast of Turkey

In this study, by-catch reduction in trammel nets used for prawn fishery in Izmir Bay was studied between May and October 2003. In shrimp trammel net fishery catching of discard species is an important problem due to a series of reasons such as disentangle species causes extra work for fishermen and decreases the labour life of nets. A Guarding net was attached to lead line of traditional shrimp trammel net as a modification to minimize this problem. Control Nets (CNet), originated from traditional commercial nets, and were compared against two groups of Experimental nets (Exp1 and Exp2) in two periods. In the first period of the study Exp1 net group caught 36.46% fewer shrimp (Melicertus kerathurus) in comparison to CNet. In addition to this, 35.62% crab (Goneplax rhomboides), 40.71% mantis shrimp (Squila mantis) and 44.77% purple dye murex (Bolinus brandaris) were caught fewer than those in CNet net group. In the second period of the study Exp2 net group were put into the trial. In this period, Exp1 net group compared with CNet net group caught less shrimp (8.09%), crab (66.15%), mantis shrimp (26.79%) and purple dye murex (32.25%). Exp2 net group caught fewer shrimp (0.99%), crab (50.63%), mantis shrimp (17.33%) and purple dye murex (25.92%) than CNet net group. This study indicates that the net modification was capable of reducing bycatch. Raising of trammel net above the lead line from muddy ground prevent discarding of demersal species from net. Therefore the height of guarding net is an important criterion for bycatch reduction.

Notes on amphipods Caprella andreae Mayer, 1890 and Podocerus chelonophilus (Chevreux & Guerne, 1888) collected from the loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta caretta, off the Mediterranean and the Aegean coasts of Turkey

The present study reports the occurrence of 2 amphipod species, Caprella andreae Mayer, 1890 and Podocerus chelonophilus Chevreux & Guerne, 1888, that appeared on the carapace of the loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta (Linnaeus, 1758) in the eastern Mediterranean Sea (Levantine Sea). The amphipod specimens were found on a male Caretta caretta captured during experimental bottom studies conducted off Samandağ, Hatay (the Turkish Mediterranean coast) on 7 April 2007. In addition, Caprella andreae Mayer 1890 was collected from the nets of fish cages off the Seferihisar (Aegean Sea) coast (38^{°}11^{'}32^{"}N, 26^{°}38^{'}07^{"}E). C. andreae is a first report for the amphipod fauna in Turkish seas.

Expanding distribution and occurence of the Indo-Pacific Stomatopod, Erugosquilla massavensis (Kossmann, 1880) on the Aegean coast of Turkey

The indo-Pacific mantis shrimp, Erugosquilla massavensis was recently collected from Sigacik Bay,located on the Aegean coast of Turkey. It is the first record of the species along the Aegean coast of Turkey

A new species of <I>Acanthopetalum</I> Verhoeff, 1900 (Diplopoda: Callipodida: Schizopetalidae) from Bulgaria, with a review of the <I>A. richii</I> (Gray, 1832) group

Th e millipede genus Acanthopetalum (Callipodida: Schizopetalidae) comprises 11 species distributed from the southern Apennines in the west to the Aegean coast of Turkey in the east. A single species, A. carinatum (Brandt, 1840), has been recorded from Bulgaria (Rhodopes Mts.). Recent study of freshly collected material coming from the same area has revealed that A. carinatum is erroneously recorded for the country, and the genus is actually represented in the Rhodopes by a new species, Acanthopetalum rhodopinum sp. n., whose description is provided. It is well distinguished from the other congeners by the presence of two sharp processes on the coxa of male leg-pair 7, and processes m, n and g on the inner branch of gonopod femoroid. New illustrations of gonopods and male leg-pair 7 of A. albidicolle (Verhoeff , 1900) and A. richii and an identifi cation key for all species of the A. richii (Gray, 1832) group are provided for better distinction of the new species. A. richii is herewith reported for the fi rst time from Turkey; its presence there might be due to human introduction.