Sponge Fauna in the Sea of Marmara

Abstract

Sponge species collected along the coasts of the Sea of the Marmara in 2012-2013 were identified. A total of 30 species belonging to 21 families were found, of which four species (Ascandra contorta, Paraleucilla magna, Raspailia (Parasyringella) agnata and Polymastia penicillus) are new records for the eastern Mediterranean, while six species [ A. contorta, P. magna, Chalinula renieroides, P. penicillus, R. (P.) agnata and Spongia (Spongia) nitens] are new records for the marine fauna of Turkey and 12 species are new records for the Sea of Marmara. Sponge specimens were generally collected in shallow water, but two species (Thenea muricata and Rhizaxinella elongata) were found at depths deeper than 100 m. One alien species (P. magna) was found at 10 m depth at station K18 (Buyukada). The morphological and distributional features of the species that are new to the Turkish marine fauna are presented.