Faunal assemblages of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis in and around Alsancak Harbour (Izmir Bay, eastern Mediterranean) with special emphasis on alien species

• Published in: Journal of marine systems 2008-05, Vol.71 (1), p.1-17
• Main Authors: Çinar, Melih Ertan, Katağan, Tuncer, Koçak, Ferah, Öztürk, Bilal, Ergen, Zeki, Kocatas, Ahmet, Önen, Mesut, Kirkim, Fevzi, Bakir, Kerem, Kurt, Güley, Dağli, Ertan, Açik, Sermin, Doğan, Alper, Özcan, Tahir
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aegean Sea; Aliens; Anadara demiri; Celleporaria brunnea; Community structure; Eastern Mediterranean Sea; Hamigera; Hydroides dianthus; Hydroides elegans; Izmir Bay; Maera; Marine; Mytilus galloprovincialis; Paradella dianae; Pollution; Polychaeta; Polydora cornuta; Pseudonereis anomala; Stenothoe gallensis; Streblospio gynobranchiata; Turkey; Zoobenthos
• ISSN: 0924-7963; 1879-1573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmarsys.2007.05.004

The faunal assemblages of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis were examined seasonally at four stations located in and around Alsancak Harbour between January and September 2004. A total of 155 species belonging to 14 systematic groups were found in the assemblages, of which Polychaeta had the highest number of species and individuals. The assemblages were mainly composed of species tolerant to pollution. The number of individuals (maximum 209,000 ind m − 2 ) and biomass (maximum 24,563 g m − 2 ) of the assemblage were generally higher at the stations located in the harbours, whereas the station not located in the harbours had the highest number of species and diversity index values (maximum 4.19). The mussel faunal assemblages differed mainly according to seasons and locations (ANOSIM test), but seasonal samples collected at each station constituted separate groups in the MDS plot, which are moderately correlated with a combination of environmental variables such as temperature, the concentrations of total nitrogen and phosphate phosphorus ( ρ r = 0.46, BIOENV test). The environmental conditions at each station, the structure of substratum to which the mussel was attached and the biotic interactions among the associated faunal components seemed to be main factors influencing the faunal assemblages of the mussel in the area. The combined effect of season and location significantly changed the community parameters such as the number of species and individuals, and the values of diversity, evenness and biomass (two-way ANOVA test). The factors significantly influencing these community parameters were the algae biomass on mussels, total nitrogen and dissolved oxygen concentrations. The density of the mussel was negatively correlated with the diversity and evenness values of samples. The mussel community included ten alien species: Pseudonereis anomala, Polydora cornuta, Streblospio gynobranchiata, Hydroides dianthus, Hydroides elegans, Maera hamigera, Stenothoe gallensis, Paradella dianae, Anadara demiri and Celleporaria brunnea. These species comprised 31% of the total number of individuals found during this study. H. elegans was the most dominant species among aliens, reaching a maximum density of 110,700 ind m − 2 (spring, at station 3, 63% of the total population) in the area. The total abundance of aliens was positively correlated with that of natives, but the total biomass value of aliens was negatively correlated with that of natives.