Biharean Biologist (2010) Vol. 4, No.1, Pp.: 89-90 P-ISSN: 1843-5637, E-ISSN: 2065-1155 Article No.: 041204

Distribution of alien annulata Eliot, 1904 (Opisthobranch; ) in the Gulf of Iskenderun,

Tahir ÖZCAN1*, Deniz ERGÜDEN1, Cemal TURAN1 and Cem ÇEVK2

1. Fisheries Faculty, Mustafa Kemal University 31200, Iskenderun, Hatay, Turkey. 2. Fisheries Faculty, Çukurova University, Balcali Campus, Adana, Turkey. * Corresponding author, T. Özcan E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract. The present study provides the new localities for alien nudibranch Chromodoris annulata Eliot, 1904 around the Gulf of Iskenderun (Turkey). A total of eleven specimens of C. annulata were collected in various locations from 15 June 2008 to 15 December 2009, at a depth of 0-15 m. C. annulata has been widely reported in the eastern Mediterranean and has established its populations around the Gulf of Iskenderun (Turkey). In the present study we investigated and discussed the way of introduction in the .

Key words: Chromodoris annulata, Opisthobranch, Alien, established, Iskenderun Bay, Turkey.

Chromodoris, Alder and Hancock, 1855, is the most speciose in the nudibranch family Chromodorididae, and have a cosmopolitan distribution with the greatest diversity occurring at low latitudes (Wilson & Lee 2005). Chromodoris annulata Eliot, 1904 is a tropical species commonly found in both the western and northern Indian Ocean (Zenetos et al. 2007) and Red Sea (Yonow 1989). From the Mediterranean Sea it was first recorded in the Saronic Gulf (coastal area of Salamina Island), Greece, in August 2004 (Daskos & Zenetos 2007, Zenetos et al. 2007). Afterwards it was reported from the Gulf of (Gökolu & Özgür 2008) and Gulf of Iskenderun (Çevik & Ergüden 2008, Yoke et al. 2009). The present work brings further data on the presence of the alien opisthobranch, C. annulata in and around the Gulf of Iskenderun, coast of Turkey and discusses the way of introduction in the Mediterranean Sea. Eleven specimens of C. annulata were collected during the diving and benthic surveys in the Gulf of Figure 1. Map of the study area, indicating the collecting points Iskenderun and its neighbouring areas (Fig. 1), between of Chromodoris annulata. 15 June 2008 and 15 December 2009, at a depth of 0-15 m. Only three of these specimens were collected and preserved. One specimen is deposited in the Museum of Three specimens of C. annulata (14–20 cm length the Faculty of Fisheries, Mustafa Kemal University, alive) were recorded and photographed in Iskenderun Iskenderun-Hatay (Collection numbers: MSM- Bay (Turkey), 36°49' N 35°52' E, at a depth of 7 m on a GAS/2009-1); and the other two specimens are rocky surface on 15 June 2008. Two specimens were deposited at the Fisheries Faculty of the Çukurova found inside Iskenderun Harbour on 15 December 2009 University, Turkey (in the collection of Dr. C. Çevik). and six specimens were recorded near Meydan village After the other species recorded and photographed, and Cevlik Harbour at a depth of 1-5 m on rock bottom they immediately returned to the sea. on 15 December 2009 (Fig. 2).

©Biharean Biologist, Oradea, Romania, 2010 Biharean Biol. 4, 2010 http://biologie-oradea.xhost.ro/BihBiol/index.html Oradea, Romania 90 Özcan, T. et. al.

Figure 2. Chromodoris annulata from Meydan village, dorsal view [Photo by C.Turan]

On the mantle of C. annulata specimens from the References Gulf of Iskenderun are translucent white with yellow Çevik, C., Ergüden, D. (2008): skenderun Körfezinde Dalm spots and two violent rings. The colour of specimens Gösteren Baz Opisthobranchia Türleri. II. Ulusal Malakoloji collected and observed in Iskenderun (Turkey) was Kongresi Bildiriler Kitab. 08-10 Ekim 2008. Adana (Turkiye). similar with that reported for specimens from Gulf of [In Turkish]. Antalya and from the Red Sea (Gökolu & Özgür 2008, Daskos, A., Zenetos, A. (2007): Additions to the knowledge of alien Yoke et al. 2009, Yonow 1989), but different with those Opisthobranchia of Greece. Aquatic Invasions 2(3): 258-260. Gökoglu, M., Özgur, E. (2008): First report of Chromodoris annulata reported from Greece waters (Daskos & Zenetos 2007, Eliot, 1904 (, Opisthobranchia, Chromodorididae) on Zenetos et al. 2007). the Levantine coast of Turkey, Eastern Mediterranean. Aquatic The ways by which this species arrived in the Invasions 3(4): 435-437. Mediterranean Sea are not certain. Daskos and Zenetos Wilson, G.N., Lee, M.S.Y. (2005): Molecular phylogeny of (2007) reported that the introduction of C. annulata can Chromodoris (Mollusca, Nudibranchia) and the identification of a planar spawning clade. Molecular Phylogenetics and be via the Suez Canal or by shipping transport. On the Evolution 36: 722-727. other hand, several studies discuss about the possibility Yokes, M.B., Balikci, Ö., Karhan, Ü.S., Dalyan, C. (2009): An that this species entered to Mediterranean Sea via Suez established population of Chromodoris annulata on the Canal (Gökolu & Özgür 2008, Yoke et al. 2009). Mediterranean coast of Turkey (Opisthobranchia, ). The colour form of C. annulata specimens observed Triton 19: 12-14. Yonow, N. (1989): Red Sea Opisthobranchia 2: The family in Gulf of Iskenderun resembles that of C. annulata from Chromodorididae (Mollusca, Nudibranchia). Fauna of Saudi Red Sea. This may support the idea that this species is a Arabia 10: 290-309. Lessepsian and entered into Mediterranean Sea via the Zenetos, A., Vassilopoulou, V., Salomidi, M., Poursanidis, D. (2007): Suez Canal. Additions to the Marine alien fauna of Greek waters (2007 This species is expanding its distribution and new update). JMBA Biodiversity records, 5928 online. populations will probably establish all around of Gulf of

Iskenderun. This also indicates that the ecological niche of Gulf of Iskenderun is eligible for its rapid expansion. Submitted: 12 March 2010 / Accepted: 25 April 2010

Published Online: 01 May 2010 Acknowledgements. The study was supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Turkey (TAGEM-09AR-GE11) coded project.