SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION OF OSTRACODA IN BANDIRMA BAY AND ERDEK BAY, SEA OF MARMARA, TURKEY

Abstract

A total of 112 species of Ostracoda was identified as a result of seasonal sampling (four periods a year corresponding to the seasons) at 16 stations in Bandirma Bay and Erdek Bay (Sea of Marmara, Turkey). Fifty-five of these represent new records for the fauna of the Sea of Marmara, and 18 are new records for the Recent marine fauna of Turkey. The number of ostracode species found in Erdek Bay was generally higher than that found in Bandirma Bay, except in spring. Herein the ostracode fauna of the region is documented and its structure discussed.