Southern Coast Of Turkey Research Articles

New species and distributional records of the paedomorphic click-beetle genus Euanoma Reitter, 1889 (Coleoptera, Elateridae, Omalisinae) from the Western Palaearctic

Euanoma Reitter, 1889 is the most speciose genus of the click-beetle subfamily Omalisinae. Representatives of Euanoma are known from the Mediterranean, Anatolia, and the Caucasus. In this study, we describe E. rodosensis Packova & Kundrata, sp. nov. from the island of Rhodes, Greece, and E. alanyensis Packova, Kazantsev & Kundrata, sp. nov. from the southern coast of Turkey. Additionally, we provide the first record of E. reitteri (Pic, 1901) from Albania which also represents the first Albanian record of genus Euanoma. The updated distributional map of Euanoma is attached.ZooBank LSID: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:2528B39F-FDB3-4FF6-B3EF-C1C50E75FC15.

Evaluation of Drought Using Meteorological Drought Indices, a Case Study: Alanya (Türkiye)

Drought is one of the most important challenges that many countries, especially countries in the Middle East region, are struggling with. Based on this, the study and monitoring of hydrological and drought factors is an important issue that can have a significant impact on management decisions in the field of water resources, especially in crisis management. Therefore, investigating the drought parameters is very important to understand the drought situation of a region. In this study, Alanya region, which is located on the southern coast of Turkey, was selected as a case study for drought analysis. Four drought indices for the selected region including: China Z-Index (CZI), Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Modified China Z-Index (MCZI) and Z-Score Index (ZSI) have been investigated. All these indicators have been investigated and evaluated using time scales of 1, 6, 12 and 24 months, the coefficient of determination (R2) has been calculated for each drought index with a different time scale and their results have been compared. The findings of the research showed that SPI and CZI drought indices performed better than other selected drought indices in identifying and effectively tracking drought severity. In addition to the study of dry events, wet events were also investigated, which indicates the presence of consecutive floods in the last years of the studied period in the region. The results indicated similar very dry events for the selected indicators in the 6-month period. Also, the rainfall trend for the period of 2015-2022 was taken into consideration to examine the rainfall of the last eight years. The results show that precipitation has decreased in recent years and has a downward trend in most months of the period in question, and the possibility of flood events due to sudden showers in the region has increased due to the continuation of droughts experienced in the years before 2015. Investigating soil moisture and vegetation for the selected period in the study area is also important for the evaluation of the drought level. Evaluation of the available land (vegetation) cover maps of the years 1975, 1985, 2000, 2010, 2020 and 2022 show that the vegetation cover has weakened over the years, and it has been evaluated as an indicator that the danger of drought in the region has increased.

Information on the deep-water giant red shrimp Aristaeomorpha foliacea (Risso, 1827) (Crustacea, Decapoda, Aristeidae) population in Antalya Bay (Eastern Mediterranean Sea, South of Turkey) based on the MEDITS protocol

The main aim of this study was to contribute to the current knowledge on the population of Aristaeomorpha foliacea in Antalya Bay located on the southern coast of Turkey in the Mediterranean Sea. Monthly samples were collected between July 2016 and July 2017 from experimental trawl surveys in accordance with the International Bottom Trawl Survey in the Mediterranean (MEDITS) protocol. The abundance index was calculated as 4308.6 N/km 2 and the biomass index as 66.8 kg/km 2. The relationship between total weight (TW) and carapace length (CL) was estimated to be TW = 0.00078⋅CL2.76 for females and TW=0.00049⋅CL2.92 for males. The seasonalized von Bertalanffy growth parameter estimates were CL∞=66.12mm, K=0.43 years −1, tanchor=0.36 years, C=0.63 and ts=0.21 years for females, and CL∞=44.02mmK=0.39 year −1, tanchor=0.30 years, C=0.77 and ts=0.87 years for males. Female shrimps grew slightly faster and reached a larger asymptotic size hence exhibiting a greater growth performance than males. The spawning season was determined as the summer. Recruitment took place in spring, and the sex ratios were found to be 1.29:1 in favor of males. The median size at first maturity was estimated as 37.7 mm CL for females and 30.1 mm CL for males. The annual total mortality rate was 1.66 and 1.41, the annual natural mortality rate 0.57 and 0.72, and the exploitation rate 0.66 and 0.49 for females and males, respectively. The fishing ground for A. foliacea in Antalya Bay is situated within 12 nautical miles off the shore within the territorial waters, thus closed to commercial trawl fisheries between 15 April and 15 September in accordance with the Turkish fishery regulations. The closing period, which coincides with the spawning season and also provides a reduction in the fishing pressure, is clearly of great importance for the sustainability of this species in Antalya Bay.

Application of Artificial Intelligence Models for Evapotranspiration Prediction along the Southern Coast of Turkey

Reference evapotranspiration (ETo ) is one of the most significant factors in the hydrological cycle since it has a great influence on water resource planning and management, agriculture and irrigation management, and other processes in the hydrological sector. In this study, an efficient and local predictive model was established to forecast the monthly mean ETo t over Turkey based on the data collected from 35 locations. For this purpose, twenty input combinations including hydrological and geographical parameters were introduced to three different approaches called multiple linear regression (MLR), random forest (RF), and extreme learning machine (ELM). Moreover, in this study, large investigation was done, involving the establishment of 60 models and their assessment using ten statistical measures. The outcome of this study revealed that the ELM approach achieved high accurate estimation in accordance with the Penman–Monteith formula as compared to other models such as MLR and RF. Moreover, among the 10 statistical measures, the uncertainty at 95% (U95) indicator showed an excellent ability to select the best and most efficient forecast model. The superiority of ELM in the prediction of mean monthly ETo over MLR and RF approaches is illustrated in the reduction of the U95 parameter to 49.02% and 34.07% for RF and MLR models, respectively. Furthermore, it is possible to develop a local predictive model with the help of computer to estimate the ETo using the simplest and cheapest meteorological and geographical variables with acceptable accuracy.

İndopasifik Dioithona oculata’nın Türkiye’nin güney kıyısal sularındaki dağılımı

The southern coast of Turkey (Levantine Sea) is one of the most affected areas from alien species. Dioithona oculata is an Indo-Pacific species that has passed to the coastal waters of Iskenderun Bay in recent years. In this study, the current status of the seasonal and spatial distribution of this species, having dense swarm in tropical waters, was investigated in the north of Levant Sea. In this context, seasonal samplings were carried out in the coastal waters of Iskenderun Bay, which is previously reported, to examine the temporal distribution. In addition, samplings were done in the late summer-early autumn of each year from 2017 to 2019 along the southern coastal water of Turkey in the framework of “Integrated Marine Pollution Monitoring 2017-2019 Programme” which was carried out by Ministry of Environment and Urbanization and coordinated by TUBITAK-MAM. According to the results of this study, D. oculata, which was found only in the autumn in Iskenderun Bay, started to be observed in summer by 2018 and in spring and winter by 2019. On the other hand, it was found that this species, which is known only in Iskenderun Bay, extended spatially westward to the Mersin Tasucu coasts. The abundance of D. oculata in the study area is lower than previously reported values (max 110 individuals/m3). However, it is observed that its distribution was expanded both spatially and seasonally. Asia minor current, which is effective in the southern coast of Turkey, was thought to instigate for the transportation of this species.

ANCIENT SHIPYARD ON TURKEY’S DANA ISLAND: ITS 3D MODELLING WITH PHOTOGRAMMETRY AND COMPUTER GRAPHICS

Abstract. Although a small island 2 km off the southern coast of Turkey, Dana Island offers a rich history which is likely to shed light upon the Dark Ages. Starting from 2015 our archaeological team discovered through continuing coastal and underwater excavations 274 shipsheds/slipways there. This discovery places Dana Island among the biggest shipyards of antiquity. The slipways varied in dimensions suitable for vessels of different sizes from small boats to large warships. Historical sources suggest that the name of the island may stem from Yadnana, Yadana or Adana which was mentioned in an Assyrian tablet of the 8th century BC, as an island in the vicinity of Cyprus. Archaeological evidence exists that shows Dana Island had played a significant role in seamanship activities in Levant starting from Neolithic times. A substantial part of the naval campaigns must have involved Dana Island which used be the biggest shipyard/naval base of the Eastern Mediterranean. A 3D model of the island has been made by using photogrammetry and computer graphics methods and simulations were executed to check the hypotheses related to the involvement of Dana Island in the major sea battles of antiquity, such as Sea Battle of Lade in 495 BC.

The second record of the Seychelles dragonet Synchiropus sechellensis in the Northeastern Mediterranean coasts of the Turkey

Two female and one male specimens of the Seychelles dragonet, Synchiropus sechellensis were caught by a commercial trawl at a depths of about 55-65 m on 04 November 2017 from the Aydıncık coast, Turkey. The present paper reports the second record of S. sechellensis in the southeastern coast of Turkey. Morphometric and meristic characters of the the specimens are given with some remarks about the geographical distribution of the species in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. The present study, S. sechellensis was recorded from a new locality for the coasts of Turkey. The present observation indicates an established population of the species in the southern coast of Turkey.

Neutron activation analysis of Aegean-style IIIC pottery from the Goldman excavations at Tarsus-Gözlükule

AbstractThe appearance of Aegean-style IIIC pottery at Tarsus occured at a time of unrest and of movement of peoples resulting in part from the collapse of the Mycenaean palaces on the Greek mainland. Mycenaean Late Helladic IIIB pottery exports from mainland Greece to Cyprus and the Levant disappeared and were gradually replaced by local imitations. Eventually Aegean-style IIIC pottery appeared in the East Aegean-West Anatolian Interface, in Cyprus and at various sites on the southern coast of Turkey and in the Levant. It was not exported from the Greek mainland, but seems to have been locally made at each site. A first series of neutron activation analysis (NAA) was carried out on pottery from Tarsus to determine how much of the Aegean-style 12th-century BC pottery was locally produced, how much was imported and, if imported, from whence it came. The favourable results of this first analysis gave rise to a second NAA of more Aegean-style pottery from Tarsus, bringing the total number of pieces analysed to 67. It has confirmed the local production of the pottery; the chemical group TarA is the dominant local group at Tarsus, comprising a third of the samples. A smaller group, TarB, may also be local. The analysis revealed a large number of Aegean-style IIIC imports from Cyprus from several different sites; these make up a quarter of the samples. There are a few imports from other areas, including the East Aegean-West Anatolian Interface. Influence from both Cyprus and the Interface can also be seen at Tarsus in the use of some shapes and motifs. A comparison with 12th-century BC imports identified by NAA at the site of Tell Kazel (ancient Simyra) in Syria directly east of Cyprus shows imports from the same two areas.

Impacts of Global Climate Change on the Mediterranean Region: Adana as a Case Study

The effects of climate change on Mediterranean region are known to include increases in temperature, decreases in precipitation and water exiguity. The original Mediterranean climate prevails along the southern coast of Turkey causes alterations in both climate parameters and perceived temperature by changes in the temperature, precipitation, and humidity values. In this study Adana which is located in the eastern part of the Mediterranean region, was chosen because of being the best indicator of changes in and the effects on the Mediterranean climate. As for the method, the Mann-Kendall rank correlation test (M-K) was applied to temperature, precipitation and humidity variables in Adana and then with the help of the Humidex index, perceived temperature values of the area were calculated in order to apply trend analysis. Especially in terms of average and minimum temperature values, strong positive trends were observed in temperature variables, while both strong positive and strong negative trends were observed in humidity variables. During the summer season strong increases were observed in perceived temperature at all weather stations except for Karataş and Tufanbeyli. Insignificant decreases in winter precipitation, and increases were observed during the dry period. These results were interpreted as increasing number and severity of heat waves due to climate changes.

Archaeological and Geophysical Investigation of Submerged Coastal Structures in Kekova, Southern Coast of Turkey

We conducted archaeological and geophysical surveys in order to investigate the submergence of ancient constructions along the coast at Kekova Island in southern Turkey. Submerged archaeological remains were measured with respect to present sea level, and geological features that may have caused subsidence were determined by seismic investigation. We estimated relative sea‐level change taking into account presumed original elevation of constructions associated with the harbor at the time of occupation and compared our results with eustatic–isostatic sea‐level studies in the Mediterranean. Ceramics found along the submerged quay of Kekova Island provided evidence for the time of last use of the harbor structures and suggest that submergence began during the early Byzantine period. Considering relative sea‐level changes, eustatic–isostatic effects, and the period of submergence, we estimate a rate of coastal tectonic subsidence of at least 1.6 mm/yr over the last 1400 years.

Species of the subgenus Minuspio (Polychaeta: Spionidae: Prionospio) from the southern coast of Turkey (Levantine Sea, eastern Mediterranean), with the description of two new species

Three species belonging to the subgenus Minuspio are described from the southern coast of Turkey. Prionospio (Minuspio) anatolica sp. nov., and Prionospio (Minuspio) maciolekae sp. nov. are new to science and P. (M.) pulchra is a new report for the marine fauna of the Levantine and Black Sea coasts of Turkey. Prionospio (M.) anatolica sp. nov., differs from all other Prionospio (M.) species by the shape of the prostomium, branchiae, and the absence of eyes. This species has 7 pairs of long, apinnate branchiae on chaetigers 2 to 8. Prionospio (M.) maciolekae sp. nov., differs from other Prionospio (M.) species in having short, densely ciliated branchiae and distinct dorsal crests on chaetigers 10–28. The examination of older materials deposited at the Museum of Ege University (ESFM) revealed that Prionospio (M.) pulchra, an alien invasive species, also occurred in the Aegean and Black Seas since 2000. In the Mediterranean, this species seems to be first noticed from the Italian waters (Tyrrhenian Sea, Lago di Sabaudia) and misidentified as Prionospio cirrifera. These species were encountered on a variety of biotopes in the region. In addition, two specimens of P. (M.) multibranchiata collected near the type locality (Bazan Bay, Pacific coast of Canada) were examined and a redescription of this species was made. The morphology, ecology and distribution of these species are given together with a taxonomic key to all valid species of the subgenus Minuspio.

Brittle stars (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) from the southern coast of Turkey (eastern Mediterranean): new records and revision of Amphiodia obtecta Mortensen, 1940

Brittle stars (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) from the southern coast of Turkey (eastern Mediterranean): new records and revision of Amphiodia obtecta Mortensen, 1940

Brittle stars (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) from the southern coast of Turkey (eastern Mediterranean): new records and revision of Amphiodia obtecta Mortensen, 1940

Brittle stars were collected on the southern coast of Turkey in 2005 and 2009. The most abundant species found (up to 420 ind. m -2 ) was Amphiodia obtecta. The taxonomic status of this species was unclear and is revised here. This is the first record of the genus Amphiodia in the Mediterranean Sea; it probably originates from the Red Sea, since it is absent from the entire Atlantic Ocean. Among the other species found, Ophiactis macrolepidota (previously reported as O. parva in the Mediterranean) is a new record for the marine fauna of Turkey.

Species of the subgenera Aquilaspio and Prionospio (Polychaeta: Spionidae: Prionospio) from the southern coast of Turkey (Levantine Sea, eastern Mediterranean), with description of a new species and two new reports for the Mediterranean fauna

Species of the subgenera Aquilaspio and Prionospio (Polychaeta: Spionidae: Prionospio) from the southern coast of Turkey (Levantine Sea, eastern Mediterranean), with description of a new species and two new reports for the Mediterranean fauna

Species of the subgenera Aquilaspio and Prionospio (Polychaeta: Spionidae: Prionospio) from the southern coast of Turkey (Levantine Sea, eastern Mediterranean), with description of a new species and two new reports for the Mediterranean fauna

The present study deals with species of the subgenera Prionospio (Aquilaspio) and Prionospio (Prionospio) collected from various habitats and depths along the southern coast of Turkey in September and October 2005. The examination of a large collection of material revealed 10 species, of which one species, Prionospio (P.) ergeni n. sp., is new to science; two species, P. (P.) depauperata and P. (A.) krusadensis, are new to the Mediterranean fauna; and one species, P. (A.) sexoculata, is new to the Turkish marine fauna. Prionospio (P.) ergeni n. sp. differs from all other Prionospio species in having three pairs of pinnate branchiae between chaetigers 2 and 4 and one pair of apinnate branchiae on chaetiger 5. Four species―P. (P.) saccifera, P. (A.) sexoculata, P. (P.) depauperata, and P. (A.) krusadensis―are aliens. The former two species could have been introduced to the Mediterranean from the Red Sea through the Suez Canal (Lessepsian migrants) and the others from the Pacific or Indian Oceans via ballast water of ships. The morphological, ecological, and distributional features of these species are discussed.

Metals (Hg, Pb, Cu, and Zn) Bioaccumulation in Sediment, Fish, and Human Scalp Hair: A Case Study from the City of Mersin Along the Southern Coast of Turkey

This study investigates mercury, lead, copper, and zinc concentrations in six most frequently consumed fish species (120 samples), sediments (20 samples) taken from Karaduvar Fishing Area where fish species live, and Mersin Port as a contrary region, and human scalp hair for people regularly consuming these fish species (50 samples) and non-fish-eaters (15 samples) in Mersin, Turkey. On taking living environment into account, the fish groups include pelagic species of Liza saliens, Liza aurata, and demersal species of Merluccius merluccius, Mullus barbatus, Upeneus moluccensis, and Solea solea. Total Hg (THg) was found to accumulate in muscle tissues at the lowest concentration (0.01 microg/g) in L. saliens and at the highest (2.66 microg/g) in S. solea. Pb was only detected at high concentrations of 1.86 microg/g in M. barbatus and of 2.16 microg/g in M. merluccius. Cu and Zn concentrations were below the detection limit within all fish species. In the sediment samples, Pb and Cu concentrations were persistently below their effect range-median (ERM) value, whereas this limiting value only maintained for 15% of THg concentrations. On the other hand, the effect range-low (ERL) of sediment exceeded at Pb in 15% of samples and Cu in 25% of samples. Zn remained below the detection limit for sediment samples. The metal concentrations at scalp hairs of regular consumers of these fish groups and non-fish eaters vary from the range 0.40-3.28 to 0.14-1.02 microg/g for THg, 11.16-107.84 to 8.00-22.38 microg/g for Pb, and 151.67-645.35 to 144.92-343.50 microg/g for Zn. An important finding of the present study is the significant adverse impact of sedimentary heavy metal bioaccumulation to human through the consumption of demersal fishes in the city of Mersin along the southern coast of Turkey.

Alien polychaete species (Annelida: Polychaeta) on the southern coast of Turkey (Levantine Sea, eastern Mediterranean), with 13 new records for the Mediterranean Sea

The examination of benthic material collected from different depths and habitats along the southern coast of Turkey (Levantine Sea, eastern Mediterranean) in September and October 2005 revealed 30 alien polychaete species belonging to 15 families. Thirteen species (Pisione guanche, Linopherus canariensis, Onuphis eremita oculata, Lumbrineris perkinsi, Dorvillea similis, Timarete caribous, Pherusa parmata, Pherusa saldanha, Streblosoma comatus, Polycirrus twisti, Laonome triangularis, Branchiomma bairdi and Janua steueri) are new to the Mediterranean fauna, 24 species are new to the Turkish fauna and 27 species are new to the Levantine coast of Turkey. The specimens collected from the Levantine coast of Turkey and northern Cyprus that were previously identified as Linopherus acarunculata and Branchiomma boholense are reidentified as L. canariensis and B. bairdi, respectively. In the light of present knowledge, the previous reports of Lumbrineris inflata and Streblosoma hesslei from the Mediterranean (Italian coast) could refer to the species L. perkinsi and S. comatus, respectively. The species new to the Mediterranean Sea are redescribed and discussed.

Trace elements in urban and suburban rainfall, Mersin, Northeastern Mediterranean

Spatial/temporal variabilities of rainwater constituents are examined based on soluble/insoluble trace elements, pH and electrical conductivity measurements in rainfall sampled during December 2003–May 2005 at two urban and two suburban sites in Mersin, an industrialized city of 850,000 inhabitants on the southern coast of Turkey. In the analyses, backward air mass trajectories for rainy days were used in addition to factor analyses, enrichment factors, phase distributions and correlations between trace elements. The pH varied from 4.8 to 8.5 with an average value of 6.2, reflecting a mainly alkaline regime. Mean concentrations of trace elements collected from urban and suburban sites are spatially variable. Based on the overall data, total concentrations of trace elements were ordered as Ca > Na > Fe > Al > Mg > K > Zn > Mn > Sr > Pb > Ni > Cr > Ba > Cu > Co > Cd. Mainly terrigeneous (Ca, Fe, Al) and, to a lesser extent, sea salt particles (Na, Mg) were shown to be the major source of trace elements. Excluding major cations, the solubilities of trace elements were found to be ordered as Sr > Zn > Ba > Mn > Cu > Ni > Cr > Fe > Al, confirming the lower solubility of crustal elements. Cd, Co and Pb were excluded from the above evaluation because of the low numbers of soluble samples allowing quantitative measurements. The solubilities of Al, Fe, Mn and particularly of Ni were found to be considerably lower than those reported for various sites around the world, most likely due to the effect of pH. During the entire sampling period, a total of 28 dust transport episodes associated with 31 red rain events were identified. Extremely high mean concentration ratios of Al (8.2), Fe (14.4) and Mn (13.1) were observed in red rain, compared to normal rain. The degree of this enhancement displayed a decrease from crustal to anthropogenic origin elements and the lowest enhancements were found for anthropogenic origin elements of Zn and Cd (both having a ratio of 1.1). Aerosol dust was found to be the main source of almost all analyzed elements in Mersin precipitation, regardless that they are crustal or anthropic derived elements. The magnitude of crustal source contribution to trace element budget of precipitation was at its highest levels for crustal originated elements, most probably due to much higher scavenging ratios of crustal elements compared to anthropogenic ones.

Mitochondrial diversity of European pond turtles ( Emys orbicularis) in Anatolia and the Ponto-Caspian Region: Multiple old refuges, hotspot of extant diversification and critically endangered endemics

The European pond turtle, Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758), is one of the world's most widely distributed chelonian species. We investigated its mitochondrial phylogeography and demography using ∼1300 cyt b sequences from the entire range, with a focus on the eastern part, in particular on Turkey, where the species currently suffers massive losses. Coloration data from >1450 turtles were compared with mtDNA differentiation to assess the validity of the currently accepted subspecies from Turkey, the Black Sea Region, the Transcaucasus, and Iran. Our study region harbors considerable part of the mtDNA diversity of Emys, including a newly discovered lineage and 16 new haplotypes. In this area corresponding to approximately one-third of the entire distribution range, six out of the ten mitochondrial lineages and about half of all 72 haplotypes occur. Two mitochondrial lineages (VIII, X) are confined to small ranges along the southern coast of Turkey, another lineage (I) occupies the remainder of Turkey, the entire Black Sea Region, and the north-eastern part of the species’ range. In the south-western corner of the Black Sea and in the Aegean Region, two lineages (II, IV) occur that have their main distribution areas farther west. In the Transcaucasus and northern Iran, another endemic lineage (VII) is found. Lineage I is the largest and most diverse of all lineages and has its greatest diversity in Anatolia. Phylogeographic and demographic data suggest Anatolia as an ancient glacial refuge for turtles harboring mitochondrial lineages I, VIII and X, and that Anatolia and the Black Sea coasts constitute a hotspot for a younger burst of diversification within lineage I. These two regions correspond to the glacial refuge from which lineage I turtles recolonized more northerly parts of the range in the Holocene; lineage II represents an off-shoot of lineage I that became isolated in a westward-located refuge in the south-eastern Balkans during a previous Pleistocene glacial. Our data on coloration indicate that such characters have only limited value for delineating evolutionarily significant units. We propose to reduce the number of subspecies using mtDNA lineages as arbiter, and to recognize three subspecies as valid in Turkey, the Black Sea Region, the Transcaucasus and Iran: Emys orbicularis orbicularis (mtDNA lineage I); E. o. eiselti Fritz et al., 1998 (X); and E. o. persica Eichwald, 1831 (VII). However, the southern Turkish lineage VIII most probably represents an additional undescribed subspecies. Both southern Turkish endemics are critically endangered, with only three surviving populations of fewer than 30 adults each. We recommend establishing sanctuaries for them, and including them in the IUCN Red List.

Beachrocks and sea level changes since Middle Holocene: Comparison between the insular group of Mykonos–Delos–Rhenia (Cyclades, Greece) and the southern coast of Turkey

The small insular group of Mykonos–Delos–Rhenia in Cyclades, Greece, and the southern coast of Turkey from Andriake to Arsuz show three bands of beachrocks, emerged up to + 0.35 m and submerged sometimes down to − 4.3 m. Because beachrocks are formed within the intertidal zone by carbonate cementation of the beach deposits during stages of shoreline stabilisation (both eustatic and tectonic), they correspond to different generations indicating different sea level stands. 11 sites on the southern coast of Turkey and 7 bays on the insular group of Mykonos–Delos–Rhenia were studied. 52 beachrock samples were analysed by polarizing microscope, cathodoluminescence and SEM. This study indicated that carbonate elements that constitute most of the samples were at least partly incorporated within the intertidal zone. The adequate method for radiocarbon dating (total sample or cement) was decided according to these observations. Because diagenetic cements seemed difficult to extract manually and the sources of carbonate pollution are limited in Mykonos–Delos–Rhenia, we performed 14C AMS dating on total samples. On the southern coast of Turkey, due to the abundance of micrite in between the limestone pebbles that often constitute the beachrocks, available cements had to be manually extracted for 14C AMS dating. The dates obtained from Mykonos–Delos–Rhenia beachrocks indicate 3 separate sea level stands: the first one at about − 3.6 m (± 0.5 m) around 2000 BC, the second one at about − 2.5 m (± 0.5 m) around 400 BC and finally the third sea level at about − 1 m (± 0.5 m) around 1000 AD. On the southern coast of Turkey, several relative sea level positions in 4 areas (I to IV) are recognised. From Finike Bay to the west (area I), a post-Roman relative sea level rise is observed after a period of coastline stabilisation. The area from the east of Finike Peninsula to Çimtur (area II) witnessed relative sea level rise since mid-Holocene interrupted by 3 phases of stability corresponding to beachrock bands. Two levels have been dated. The first one is between 0 m and − 0.8 m and dates from 5th to 7th century AD. The second one is between − 1.5 m and − 2.2 m and dates around 7th to 6th century BC. From Incekum to Karataş–Osmaniye Fault Zone to the south of Adana (area III), the shoreline was raised around + 0.5 m after 19 BC–200 AD and later becomes stable at least since the 12th century AD as can be interpreted from archaeological remains. To the east, beachrocks in Gözcüler (area IV) indicate a relative sea level rise interrupted by a phase of coastline stabilisation between 0 m and − 0.5 m from the 4th to the 7th century AD. Our southern Turkish coastline observations reveal a very dynamic tectonic regime – mainly subsidence to the west and uplift to the east – since at least mid-Holocene. The comparison of the results obtained from Greece and Turkey indicates a tectonic subsidence during the last 6000 years in the centre of Cyclades.