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Scleractinian diversity in the Dardanelles and Marmara Sea (Turkey): morphology, ecology and distributional patterns Cover

Scleractinian diversity in the Dardanelles and Marmara Sea (Turkey): morphology, ecology and distributional patterns

Open Access
|Jun 2016

Figures & Tables

Figure 1

Map of the study area

Figure 2

GPS-supported map of the study stations in the Dardanelles and Marmara Sea

Figure 3

Wide-angle photo of Polycyathus muellerae showing the measured diameters of the coral colony in situ (D1: Width 1; D2: Width 2; H: Height of the colony from the substrate level)

Figure 4

Skeleton image of Madracis pharensis under a microscope. Calix, Septa, Columella, Coralites and Coenosteum structure around the corallites. (Ca: calix, Se: septa, Col: columella, Cor: corallites, Co: coenosteum)

Figure 5

Skeleton images of Cladocora caespitosa under a microscope. Calix, Septa, Columella (left), adjacent corallites, coenosteum part behind the corallites (middle) and theca structure (right). (Ca: calix, Se: septa, Col: columella, Cor: corallites, Co: coenosteum, the: theca)

Figure 6

Skeleton image of Caryophyllia smithii under a microscope. Calix, Columella (left), septa (middle) and theca (right) structure of corallite. (Ca: calix, Se: septa, Col: columella, Cor: corallites, the: theca)

Figure 7

Skeleton image of Caryophyllia inornata. Calix, columella, septa, palus (left) and theca structure of corallite (right). (Ca: calix, Se: septa, Col: columella, Cor: corallites, the: theca, pa: palus)

Figure 8

Skeleton image of Paracyathus pulchellus. Calix (left), columella, septa, palus (middle) and theca structure of corallite (right). (Ca: calix, Se: septa, Col: columella, Cor: corallites, the: theca, pa: palus)

Figure 9

Skeleton image of Polycyathus muellerae. Calix, septa, palus (left), columella, theca (middle two) and colony structure of corallites (right). (Ca: calix, Se: septa, Col: columella, Cor: corallites, the: theca, pa: palus)

Figure 10

Skeleton image of Phyllangia mouchezii. Calix (left), septa, columella (two middle) and theca structure of corallite (right). (Ca: calix, Se: septa, Col: columella, Cor: corallites, the: theca)

Figure 11

Skeleton image of Balanophyllia europaea. Calix, septa (left), columella (two middle) and theca structure of corallite (right). (Ca: calix, Se: septa, Col: columella, Cor: corallites, the: theca)

Figure 12

Skeleton image of Leptopsammia pruvoti. Calix, columella, septa (left), columella (middle left), juvenile corallite (middle right) and theca structure of corallite (right). (Ca: calix, Se: septa, Col: columella, Cor: corallites, the: theca)

Figure 13

Dominance values of solitary and colonial corals

Figure 14

Frequency of coral species evaluated over stations

Figure 15

Depth-related distribution of the total mean number of individuals of solitary corals and the total number of colonies in colonial corals

Figure 16

Similarity between the scleractinian species in relation to the sampling stations (Bray-Curtis index)

Figure 17

A: Correspondence analysis of solitary coral species with replicated quadrats in relation to stations/depth. Only stations with more than two species were assessed, while stations with only one species were excluded from the assessment. B: Correspondence analysis of colonial coral species in relation to stations/depth. (a,b,c,d,e,f: Depth ranges; the numbers with letters as “1,2,3,4”: replicate numbers)

Table 1

Colonial corals, morphological diameters and coral cover values assessed per station

Mean±SE (Range)
Madracis pharensis
Station 1674.5±329.5 (345-1004)2850±550 (2300-3400)285.3±87.15 (198-372)77±1 (76-78)37.5±7.5 (30-45)6±1 (5-7)
Station 45761±41 (720-802)2340±400 (1900-2700)70.09±12.31 (57-82)64±4 (60-68)36±4 (32-40)3±1 (2-4)
Cladocora caespitosa
Station 1112±17 (16-300)630±150 (80-2100)4.979±0.384 (2.81-9.9)29.83±3.113 (17-61)19.28±2.15 (10-39)9.17±1.17 (2-19)
Station 2214±84 (64-355)520±100 (350-710)2.873±0.576 (2.1-4)26.67±2.96 (21-31)19.23±1.86 (17-23)8.33±2.33 (4-12)
Station 3251±19 (67-1000)2400±140 (570-6900)5.412±0.185 (2.64-10.14)56.77±1.59 (30-96)41.31±1.38 (19-72)8.4±0.35 (3-20)
Station 4*112 (112)300 (300)3.43 (3.43)26 (26)14 (14)5 (5)
Station 201518±1408 (110-2925)1240±1160 (80-2400)5.48±1.22 (4.26-6.69)31±32.5 (23-54)28±25.5 (10-46)14±14.1 (4-24)
Station 24*78 (78)800 (800)5.54 (5.54)30 (30)27 (27)8 (8)
Station 41*23 (23)100 (100)3.44 (3.44)15 (15)7 (7)3 (3)
Polycyathus muellerae
Station 173±12 (19-270)610±170 (100-4600)4.082±0.35 (1.9-8.6)20.69±2.18 (9-60)28.54±2.65 (13-78)5.11±0.5 (2-11)
Station 271±12 (32-136)240±50 (140-600)4.537±0.422 (1.8-5.75)10.44±1.21 (7-18)22.78±2.17 (18-34)5.67±1.08 (2-11)
Station 21*40 (40)100 (100)3.1 (3.1)8 (8)21 (21)3 (3)
Station 45228±52 (30-1600)7540±4220 (90-151000)3.585±0.152 (1.94-5.6)47.7±9.74 (6-345)66.4±13.5 (15-440)6.56±0.61 (2-17)
Station 51*90 (90)700 (700)4.66 (4.66)30 (30)26 (26)6 (6)
Station 52*40 (40)100 (100)3.51 (3.51)10 (10)15 (15)2 (2)
Station 56*140 (140)1200 (1200)4.4 (4.4)30 (30)40 (40)4 (4)
Station 10337±7 (23-55)20±3 (10-30)3.105±0.434 (2.17-4.21)4.75±0.47 (4-6)5.5±0.95 (4-8)3.5±0.28 (3-4)
Station 104*46 (46)200 (200)4.88 (4.88)10 (10)20 (20)4 (4)
Station 108212±176 (36-388)950±850 (100-180)4.045±0.205 (3.84-4.25)19±5 (14-24)43.5±31.5 (12-75)7.5±4.5 (3-12)
Station 109*41 (41)400 (400)2.23 (2.23)22 (22)21 (21)4 (4)
Station 110*86 (86)900 (900)3.24 (3.24)22 (22)41 (41)4 (4)
Station 117108±21 (10-423)510±100 (30-1700)4.66±0.219
3.12-6.22
16.29±2.33
5-54
19.95±1.99
7-40
4.04±0.51
2-12
Station 140*12 (12)20 (20)1.68 (1.68)4 (4)7 (7)4 (4)
Phyllangia mouchezii
Station 2*210 (210)2000 (2000)17 (17)41 (0-41)55 (0-55)21 (0-21)

TNC: The total mean Number of Corallites in colonies (decimals integrated). *Since only one coral colony was found at one station, these values were excluded from the calculations of mean. Mean dimensions were calculated according to the total value of 10 corallites per station. (Length: largest diameter D1; Width: lowest diameter D2; Height: height of a colony from the substrate level. Please refer Fig. 3)

Table 2

Solitary corals, morphological diameters calculated per station

Mean±SE (Range)
Caryophyllia smithii
Station 6*18 (18)28.53 (28.53)0.65±0.15 (0.5-0.8)1.2±0.2 (1-1.4)
Station 27*18 (18)10.42 (10.42)0.34±0.05 (0.15-0.5)0.96±0.06 (0.6-1.2)
Station 103*18 (18)15.63 (15.63)0.59±0.03 (0.4-0.9)0.76±0.05 (0.5-1.2)
Station 14096±128 (6-187)18.43±11.78 (10.1-26.76)1.87±0.11 (1.69-2.1)1.67±0.19 (1.4-1.8)
Station 141*31 (31)24.66 (24.66)1.74±0.09 (1.59-1.82)1.56±0.06 (1.5-1.7)
Station 142*131 (131)8.24 (8.24)1.92±0.11 (1.69-2.1)1.64±0.15 (1.5-1.8)
Caryophyllia inornata
Station 1*6 (6)2.49±0.67 (2.01-2.97)0.65±0.15 (0.5-0.8)1.2±0.2 (1-1.4)
Station 4516±9 (6-25)2.61±0.57 (1.98-3.09)0.34±0.05 (0.15-0.5)0.96±0.06 (0.6-1.2)
Station 103*137 (137)2.91 (2.91-2.91)0.59±0.03 (0.4-0.9)0.76±0.05 (0.5-1.2)
Station 117*6 (6)1.88 (1.88-1.88)0.6 (0.6-0.6)0.9 (0.9-0.9)
Paracyathus pulchellus
Station 1*18 (8)8.8 (8.8)0.6±0.06 (0.6-0.8)1.1±0.5 (1-1.2)
Station 2*12 (12)8.21 (8-21)0.6±0.1 (0.5-0.7)1.05±0.05 (1.-1.1)
Station 458±5 (6-18)9.15±0.88 (7.89-10.11)0.87±0.14 (0.5-1.2)1.4±0.15 (1-1.7)
Station 51*6 (6)9.13±1.52 (8.05-10.2)1.05±0.05 (1-1.1)1.45±0.05 (1.4-1.5)
Station 52*6 (6)9 (6)1.8 (1.8)1.5 (1.5)
Station 56*12 (12)8.77 (6)0.9±0.3 (0.6-1.2)1.35±0.35 (1-1.7)
Station 103*18 (18)6 (6)0.8±0.1 (0.7-1)1.2±0.15 (1-1.5)
Station 104*6 (6)7.55 (7.55)0.5 (0.5)1 (1)
Station 108*6 (6)6.54 (6.54)0.7 (0.7)1.2 (1.2)
Station 117*6 (6)11.3 (11.3)0.7 (0.7)1.1 (1.1)
Balanophyllia europaea
Station 1*12 (12)29.9 (29.9-29.9)1.65±0.25 (1.4-1.9)2.65±0.15 (2.5-2.8)
Station 2*6 (6)24 (24-24)1.4 (1.4-1.4)2.5 (2.5-2.5)
Station 3*6 (6)21.98 (21.98-21.98)0.6 (0.6-0.6)1.6 (1.6-1.6)
Station 9*6 (6)25 (25-25)1 (1-1)2.1 (2.1-2.1)
Station 10*6 (6)21.28 (21.28-21.28)1.9 (1.9-1.9)3 (3)
Station 11*12 (12)13.9 (13.9-13.9)0.75±0.05 (0.7-0.8)1.75±0.15 (1.6-1.9)
Station 18*12 (12)10.66 (10.66-10.66)0.75±0.05 (0.7-0.8)1.35±0.15 (1.2-1.5)
Station 20*6 (6)33.95 (33.95)0.7 (0.7)1.6 (1.6)
Station 23*6 (6)28.3 (28.3)1.8 (1.8)2.3 (2.3)
Station 24*12 (12)20 (20)1.4±0.3 (1.1-1.7)2.5±0.1 (2.4-2.6)
Station 26*6 (6)24.41 (24.41)1.1 (1.1)1.9 (1.9)
Station 27122±116 (6-237)32.97±4.53 (28.44-37.5)1.32±0.07 (0.5-2.4)2.54±0.1 (1.2-3.9)
Station 30*12 (12)12.65 (12.65)0.7±0.1 (0.6-0.8)1.3±0.1 (1.2-1.4)
Station 35*12 (12)14.2 (14.2)1.15±0.05 (1.1-1.2)2.2±0.3 (1.9-2.5)
Station 38*18 (18)12.47 (12.47)1.4±0.11 (1.2-1.6)2.43±0.32 (1.8-2.9)
Station 39*18 (18)11.98 (11.98)1.73±0.12 (1.5-1.9)2.5±0.2 (2.2-2.9)
Station 40*18 (18)10.1 (10.1)1.36±0.03 (1.3-1.4)2.36±0.06 (2.3-2.5)
Station 41*6 (6)15.45 (15.45)1.1 (1.1)1.8 (1.8)
Station 42*6 (6)15 (15)1.3 (1.3)1.9 (1.9)
Station 43*6 (6)14.64 (14.64)0.8 (0.8)1.9 (1.9)
Station 44*6 (6)12.08 (12.08)1.3 (1.3)2.2 (1.9)
Station 103*6 (6)42 (42)1.6 (1.6)2.5 (2.5)
Station 117*6 (6)16.76 (16.76)2.3 (2.3)2.2 (2.2)
Station 119*6 (6)11.4 (11.4)1.1 (1.1)2 (2)
Leptopsammia pruvoti
Station 187±6 (81-93)7.79±0.63 (7.16-8.42)1.57±0.04 (1.2-1.5)1.09±0.02 (0.8-1.4)
Station 249±12 (37-62)4.21±0.1 (4.11-4.32)1.59±0.06 (1.2-1.5)1.08±0.03 (0.8-1.4)
Station 21*6 (6)4.19 (4.19-4.19)1.5 (1.5)1.1 (1.1)
Station 45124±56 (68-181)11.67±3.03 (6.64-14.7)1.41±0.02 (1.1-1.4)2.41±0.12 (1.5-3.9)
Station 51*6 (6)11.18 (11.18)1.5 (1.5)1.1 (1.1)
Station 52*6 (6)12.43 (12.43)1.3 (1.3)1.5 (1.5)
Station 56*6 (6)9.86 (9.86)1.5 (1.5)3 (3-3)
Station 104*6 (6)8.89 (8.89)1.4 (1.5)1.4 (1.4)
Station 108*6 (6)18.85 (18.85)1.4 (1.4)3.1 (3.1)
Station 109*6 (6)12.71 (12.71)1.5 (1.5)1.1 (1.1)
Station 110*6 (6)10.65 (10.65)1.4 (1.4)1.8 (1.8)
Station 117*50 (50)12.5 (12.5)1.22±0.1 (1-1.5)1.66±0.13 (1.3-2)
Station 140*850 (850)4.22 (4.22)0.48±0.02 (0.4-0.6)0.67±0.03 (0.5-0.9)

TNI: The total mean Number of Individuals per square meter (decimals integrated). *Since only one coral individual or group was found at the station, these values were excluded from the calculations of means. Mean dimensions were calculated according to the total value of 10 corallites per station. (Length: the maximum axis of the oral disc; Width: the minimum axis of the oral disc)

Table 3

Coral cover determined in terms of the rocky substrate range at the stations with the highest species abundance

M. pharensisC. caespitosaP. muelleraeP. mouchezii
Sta 1 – 8000.631.141.58-
Sta 2 – 410-0.150.220.2
Sta 3 – 350-18.11--
Sta 20 – 200-0.24--
Sta 45 – 11200.48-27.89-
Sta 108 – 208--0.19-
Sta 117 – 110--1.07-

TARS: Total Spreading Area of Rocky Substrate at a given station; Cover area: total cover area of the species at a station

Table 4

Rock-based percent cover of P. muellerae at Station 45, C. caespitosa at Station 1, P. mouchezii at Station 2 and M. pharensis at Stations 1 and 45

P. muellerae
p10.0090.332.72
p20.0360.428.57
p30.090.3327.27
p40.030.1915.7
p50.0390.1821.6
p60.0321.013.16
p70.030.310
p80.150.6822.05
p90.0360.3310.9
p104.87.663.15
p112.22.7679.71
p121.1336.6
p1315.12075.5
p140.081.156.95
p150.120.1580
p160.020.1811.1
p170.031.262.38
p180.341.2527.2
p190.141.549.09
p200.170.2568
p210.10.520
p220.140.2556
p230.090.330
p240.051.333.75
p250.140.8716.09
p260.21.216.6
p270.131.49.28
p280.281.1125.22
p290.122.524.76
p300.080.613.3
p310.292.4311.93
p320.31.520
p330.080.98.8
p340.31.1426.31
p350.63.3617.85
p360.350.4872.91
p370.090.811.25
C. caespitosa
c10.0570.09560
c20.0270.0930
c30.0480.09650
c40.0560.0870
c50.0260.347.64
c60.20.2100
c70.070.09375.26
c80.0230.0457.5
c90.0290.029100
c100.0180.0290
c110.0750.075100
c120.0220.02878.57
c130.0330.883.75
c140.0080.0613.3
c150.0360.07250
c160.180.3946.15
c170.210.21100
c180.0220.1613.75
P. mouchezii
pm10.20.633.3
M. pharensis
m10.232.0811.05
m20.340.6453.12
m30.191.1216.96
m40.271.8814.36
Figure 18

A. Cladocora caespitosa colony on the sandy substrate around the Posidonia beds at 7 m depth (Scale bar: 5 cm); B. Cladocora caespitosa colony on the rocky substrate at 19 m depth; C. Polycyathus muellerae colonies at 34 m depth; D. Phyllangia mouchezii colony on the rocky overhang at 19 m depth; E. Madracis pharensis colonies strongly associated with the coralligenous outcrops on the rock ceiling at 25 m depth; F. Balanophyllia europaea corallites on a stony substrate between 2 and 23 m depth; G. Caryophyllia inornata corallites associated with the calcareous sponges on the rock ceiling at 21 m depth; H. Leptopsammia pruvoti corallites on the rocky overhang at 36 m depth; I. Caryophyllia smithii corallites on the rocky substrate between 6 and 29 m depth; J. Paracyathus pulchellus corallites on the rocky substrate at 24 m depth. (Scale bar for all figures except figure A: 1 cm)

Table 5

List of scleractinian corals from the Turkish coasts with the updated distributional data

Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Anthozoa
Family: Pocilloporidae
Madracis pharensis 11-FL1FL2-FL3-PRHVII
Family: Faviidae
Cladocora caespitosa 22-FL4FL5-PR-FL6-PRHII
Family: Caryophylliidae
Caryophyllia smithii 33-FL7FL7*FL8-PRFL10-PRHIV
Caryophyllia cyathus 1010---FL23-H70-300 m**
Coenocyathus anthophyllites 1111---FL10-H65-250 m**
Hoplangia durotrix 1313--FL22--H0-150 m**
Caryophyllia inornata 44-FL11FL12-PRHIX
Paracyathus pulchellus 55---FL13PRHVIII
Polycyathus muellerae 66-FL14FL15PRPRH,SV
Phyllangia mouchezii 77-FL16FL17-PRHIII
Desmophyllum dianthus 1212---FL24-H8-2460 m**
Family: Dendrophylliidae
Alanophyllia europaea 88-FL18FL19-FL19-PRH,RI
B. Leptopsammia pruvoti 77-FL21FL22*-PRHVI
Dendrophyllia ramea 99---FL10-H40-150 m**
Oculina patogonica 1414-FL25---H0-10 m**

BS: Black Sea; M: Mediterranean Sea; AE: Aegean Sea; MS: Marmara Sea; D: Dardanelles (Çanakkale Strait); DR: Depth range in the current study; H: hard substrate; S: soft substrate; R: Posidonia oceanica roots; PR: Present research; Authors:

I: 0-23 m; II: 2- 23 m; III: 18-19 m; IV: 12-44 m; V: 15-44 m; VI : 17-44 m; VII: 20-39 m; VIII: 20-43 m; IX: 25-40 The first and the latest report of scleractinian coral from the Turkish coasts: FL1: Zibrowius 1979; FL2: Forbes 1844/Gökalp 2011; FL3: Özalp and Alparslan 2015; FL4: Özturk et al. 2004/Özturk et al. 2013; FL5: Forbes 1844/PR; FL6: Özalp and Alparslan 2011/PR; FL7: Özturk et al. 2004/Gönülal and Güreşen 2014*; FL8: Özturk et al. 2004; FL9: Ostroumoff 1896/PR; FL10: Ostroumoff 1896/PR; FL11: Gözcelioglu 2011; FL12: Zibrowius 1979; FL13: Demir 1952; FL14: Çinar et al. 2015; FL15: Zibrowius 1979a/Gökalp 2011; FL16: Zibrowius 1980**/Bitar and Zibrowius 1997; FL17: Zibrowius 1980/Gökalp 2012; FL18: Gözcelioğlu 2011; FL19: Zibrowius 1979/PS; FL20: Ostroumoff 1896/PR; FL21: Gözcelioğlu 2011; FL22: Gökalp 2011/ Gönülal and Güreşen 2014*; FL23: Colombo 1885; FL24: Taviani et al. 2011; FL25: Çinar et al. 2006.

11 Heller, 1868;

22 Linnaeus, 1767;

33 Stokes & Broderip, 1828;

1010 Ellis and Solander, 1786;

1111 Milne-Edwards and Haime, 1848;

1313 Gosse, 1860;

44 Duncan, 1878;

55 Philippi, 1842;

66 Abel, 1959;

77 Lacaze-Duthiers, 1897;

1212 Esper, 1794;

88 Risso, 1826;

77 Lacaze-Duthiers, 1897;

99 Linnaeus, 1758;

1414 De Angelis, 1908;

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/ohs-2016-0023 | Journal eISSN: 1897-3191 | Journal ISSN: 1730-413X
Language: English
Page range: 259 - 285
Submitted on: Jul 22, 2015
Accepted on: Nov 12, 2015
Published on: Jun 22, 2016
Published by: University of Gdańsk
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 4 issues per year

© 2016 H. Bariş Özalp, Mustafa Alparslan, published by University of Gdańsk
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.