Additional records of the alien gastropod, Ergalatax junionae Houart, 2008 (Gastropoda: Muricidae), from the eastern Mediterranean

The alien muricid gastropod Ergalatax junionae Houart, 2008 has been known to inhabit the shallow waters of the eastern Mediterranean. The chronology of its recorded observations, beginning in eastern Turkey and proceeding to the south and west, suggests that it was first introduced to eastern Turkey via shipping, and was then spread in the Levantine Sea. The recent record from Greece indicates that its range of distribution is still expanding. Here we report local population densities and additional records of E. junionae from the eastern Mediterranean basin, including its first occurrence from the Turkish coastof the Aegean Sea

On the Presence of alien foraminifera Amphistegina lobifera Larsen on the coasts of the Maltese Islands

More than 30 alien foraminifera species have been reported from the Levantine Basin. The most abundant of them is the Indo-Pacific originated Amphistegina lobifera Larsen, which is the dominant foraminifera species on the coasts of Israel and southwestern coasts of Turkey. It is widely distributed in the Eastern Mediterranean, Aegean Sea and even recorded in the Sea of Marmara. The westernmost limits of its distribution extend to Libya and Tunisia. This study constitutes the first record of Amphistegina lobifera Larsen from the Maltese Islands in June 2006. © 2007 The Author(s)

Genetic evidence for wide distribution of the alien prawn-goby, Vanderhorstia mertensi (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Gobiidae), along the northeast Mediterranean

Vanderhorstia mertensi Klausewitz, 1974, is a recently acknowledged alien fish in theMediterranean Sea, hitherto observed only from Fethiye Bay, Turkey. To explore its distribution, trawl bycatch from eastern Antalya and Iskenderun was examined and an underwater survey was performed off Kas (western Antalya). An established population was found off Güvercin Island, Kas, and six specimens were identified from trawl bycatch collected off Antalya and Iskenderun. The trawl-collected specimens were badly damaged and identification was made possible by the analysis of their 16S rDNA sequences. Our findings suggest that the species was only recently introduced and its population size has increased rapidly. Symbiotic relationship with alpheids (Apheidae, Crustacea) may have enhanced this prawn-goby’s establishment and dispersal along the Mediterranean coast of Turkey

A new record in eastern Aegean Sea (Turkey): Polymorphina fistulosa

Numerous Indo-Pacific originated alien foraminifer species have been recorded in the eastern Mediterranean. Each year new species are being added. In the framework of a foraminiferal study conducted on the east Aegean coast the benthic foraminifer Polymorphina fistulosa is found in the foraminiferal assemblage around a hot water submarine spring in Ilica Bay (Çesme, Turkey). It is also observed in one sediment sample collected from the western entrance of the Dardanelles (Çanakkale, Turkey). These records constitute the first record of this Pacific originated species in the Aegean Sea. Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2012

The expanded population of Amphistegina lobifera at Üç Adalar and Beş Adalar (Antalya, Turkey)

The foraminiferal test is one of the principal sources of CaCO3 in oceans. The principal habitats of Amphistegina include the Indo-Pacific islands and the Caribbean Sea. Although quite rare in the Aegean Sea Amphistegina lobifera is typical of various regions throughout the eastern Mediterranean and has also been reported from the middle and north Aegean Sea. But, on the south-western coast of Turkey it is found in extensive amounts, to such an extent that, it forms a 50 cm thick layer of sand and changes the benthic structure, as well as the ecology. Our results are based upon 12 samples from Üç Adalar (Antalya), and 13 samples from Beş Adalar (Antalya) collected from 4-30 m of depth. Each sample contains a high proportion of A. lobifera within the sediment. The exaggerated proportion of the A. lobifera test on the benthos points to certain conditions. Other benthic foraminiferans are not only scarce in genus and species number, but they are also found in very small populations. Even though there is no evidence of volcanic activity from west of the Gulf of Antalya, tectonic activity is present, resulting in formation of submarine springs which are located on the active faults. The presence of limestones with karstic characteristics in the Taurus Mountains combined with submarine springs cause salinity and temperature variations, as well as an increase in CaCO3 in the seawater. So alterations in the chemical and physical conditions of seawater may be responsible for this enormous expansion of the A. lobifera population. © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2014

First report of Caulerpa taxifolia (Bryopsidales, Chlorophyta) on the Levantine coast (Turkey, Eastern Mediterranean)

Since its first accidental introduction into the Mediterranean Sea, Caulerpa taxifolia (Vahl) C. Agardh has spread to six Mediterranean countries and has become a major ecological problem. On the basis of morphological and molecular studies (nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS)), we report for the first time C. taxifolia on the Levantine coast (Gulf of Iskenderun, SE Turkey). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Iskenderun isolate differs from the invasive aquarium strain first observed in Monaco, and falls in another SW Pacific clade (NE Australia, New Caledonia). The introduction in Turkey by shipping (ballast waters or anchor gears of oil tankers) is possible because C. taxifolia was found in the Gulf of Iskenderun, which is a major Eastern Mediterranean petrochemical region. On the other hand, C. taxifolia strains are available in aquarium shops in Turkey, suggesting aquarium dumping as another possible cause. As far as the intense maritime traffic of the region is concerned, further dispersals of this exotic C. taxifolia strain in the Mediterranean Sea are to be expected. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.SUF2003BAP6This study is partially funded by the Cukurova University Research Fund (project no: SUF2003BAP6)

Identity and origin of a slender Caulerpa taxifolia strain introduced into the Mediterranean Sea

On the basis of morphological and molecular studies, we identified the Australian endemic green alga known as Caulerpa distichophylla along the coasts of Sicily (Italy, Mediterranean Sea). The slender Caulerpa previously reported as C. taxifolia from southeastern Turkey (Gulf of Iskenderun) also belongs to C. distichophylla. Morphologically, C. distichophylla clearly differs from C. taxifolia in its slender thallus and the lack of large rhizoidal pillars. However, genetic data do not provide undisputed evidence that the species are distinct. Sequences of the tufA cpDNA gene and of the cp 16S rDNA intron-2 sequences separated the two taxa by only one single nucleotide mutation, whereas ITS rDNA sequences did not clearly distinguish them. The new combination Caulerpa taxifolia var. distichophylla is therefore proposed. Western and eastern Mediterranean populations of C. taxifolia var. distichophylla are probably the result of introduction events from southwestern Australia. Although the vector of primary introductions remains unknown (aquarium trade or shipping), maritime traffic appears to be the most likely vector of secondary dispersal. C. taxifolia var. distichophylla is closely related to C. taxifolia, hence interbreeding with the other C. taxifolia strains in the Mediterranean Sea might be expected to occur

First report of Pararotalia calcariformata from the Hatay coastline (Turkey - North-eastern Mediterranean)

Alien benthic foraminiferal assemblages of Samandag and Yayladagi coasts (Hatay, Turkey) have been investigated. 41 genera and 58 species of benthic foraminifers were identified and Indo-Pacific originated alien species were found to dominate the foraminiferal assemblage. Pararotalia calcariformata which shows distribution in the western Pacific is recorded for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea. © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2013