The alien ascidian Styela clava now invading the Sea of Marmara (Tunicata: Ascidiacea)

By

ÇINAR, Melih

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2016

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

563

Pages

1-10

Subjects

Ascidiacea , invasive alien species , Sea of Marmara , Styela clava , Tunicata

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.563.6836

 

Abstract

During the implementation of a large project aimed to investigate the benthic community structures of the Sea of Marmara, specimens of the invasive ascidian species Styela clava were collected on natural substrata (rocks) at 10 m depth at one locality (Karamürsel) in İzmit Bay. The specimens were mature, containing gametes, indicating that the species had become established in the area. The Sea of Marmara seems to provide suitable conditions for this species to survive and form proliferating populations.