Updated checklist of sponges (Porifera) along the coasts of Turkey

Authors: BÜLENT TOPALOĞLU, ALPER EVCEN

Abstract: This study compiled the data from previous papers emphasizing sponge species on the Turkish coasts. In total, 131 species belonging to 46 families have been reported: 82 species from the Aegean Sea, 63 species from the Sea of Marmara, 51 species from the Levantine Sea, and 13 species from the Black Sea. Among these species, 3 species are new records for the marine fauna of Turkey: Rhizaxinella elongata, Axinyssa digitata, and Terpios gelatinosa. Raspalia viminalis is a new record for the Sea of Marmara. The morphological and distributional features of 3 species are presented. In addition, a checklist of the sponge species reported from the Turkish coasts to date is provided.

Keywords: Sponge diversity, new records, species distribution, Black Sea, Aegean Sea, Sea of Marmara, Levantine Sea

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