Distribution of alien bivalve species in the soft bottom of Iskenderun Bay (Turkey, NE Levantine Sea)

Abstract

Distribution of alien bivalves in the soft bottom of Iskenderun Bay according to physico-chemical parameters of sea water and sediment was investigated in this study, which was carried out in November 2005. A total of 2404 individuals belonging to 63 bivalve species were identified, of which 184 individuals belonged to 9 alien species. Alien species accounted for 14.3% of total number of bivalve species and 7.7% of total number of bivalve individuals. The most abundant species in the study area was the native species Anodontia fragilis (354 individuals). As for aliens, Afrocardium richardi was represented by a high number of individuals (155 individuals).