https://doi.org/10.52973/rcfcv-e34408
Received: 29/02/2024 Accepted: 01/04/2024 Published: 08/07/2024
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Revista Científica, FCV-LUZ / Vol. XXXIV, rcfcv-e34408
ABSTRACT
Edremit Bay is one of the important areas for small–scale shing in
the North Aegean Sea. For this reason, more detailed ichthyoplankton
studies should be continued to evaluate the sh stock status of the
region, calculate the adult sh biomass, and determine the spawning
period, place, and time of sh species. In addition, from 2011 to 2013,
articial reefs were constructed in Edremit Bay. Regular investigation of
sh eggs and larvae in the region inuenced by the Edremit Bay articial
reef would provide better knowledge of the structure and function of
the local ecosystem and provide a basis for monitoring the marine
ecosystem in the area. The current research examined the species
abundance and distribution of surface plankton samples collected in
2015 and 2016. The evaluation also included the inuence of abiotic
environmental factors such as temperature, pH, chlorophyll a (chl–a),
salinity, depth, and dissolved oxygen. Throughout the research, 3345
eggs and 176 larvae were analyzed. 57 species of eggs and larvae were
identied. Eggs were not found in the natural reef (S3) in the summer
and winter of 2015, while the highest egg abundance (212.83·100 m
-3
)
was recorded in the natural reef (S1) in the summer of 2016. Larvae
were not found in the natural reefs (S2 and S3) in the summer, autumn
and winter of 2015 and in the articial reefs (S4 and S5) in the summer
and autumn in 2015 while the highest larvae abundance (8.12·100 m
-3
)
on the articial reef (S1) in summer 2016. Although the natural reefs
had the highest number of species (30 species), the articial reefs
showed the lowest species diversity (17 species).
Key words: Eggs; larvae; composition; biodiversity
RESUMEN
La Bahía de Edremit es una de las zonas importantes para la pesca
a pequeña escala en el mar Egeo septentrional. Por esta razón, se
deben continuar estudios más detallados del ictioplancton para
evaluar el estado de las poblaciones de peces de la región, calcular
la biomasa de peces adultos y determinar el período, lugar y tiempo
de desove de las distintas especies de peces. Además cabe destacar
que de 2011 a 2013 se construyeron arrecifes articiales en esta
bahía. La investigación periódica de huevos y larvas de peces en la
región inuenciada por el arrecife articial de esta bahía, ofrecería
un mejor conocimiento de la estructura y función del ecosistema
local y proporcionaría una base para el seguimiento del ecosistema
marino en la zona. La investigación actual examinó la abundancia
de especies y la distribución de muestras de plancton de supercie
recolectadas del año 2015 al 2016. La evaluación también incluyó la
inuencia de los factores ambientales abióticos como la temperatura,
el pH, la clorola a (chl–a), la salinidad, la profundidad y el oxígeno
disuelto. A lo largo de la investigación se analizaron 3345 huevos y
176 larvas. Se identicaron 57 especies de huevos y larvas. No se
encontraron huevos en el arrecife natural (S3) en el verano e invierno
de 2015, mientras que la mayor abundancia de huevos (212,83·100 m
-3
)
se registraron en el arrecife natural (S1) en el verano de 2016. Además,
no se encontraron larvas en los arrecifes naturales (S2 y S3) en el
verano, otoño e invierno de 2015 y en los arrecifes articiales (S4 y
S5) en el verano y otoño de 2015, mientras que la mayor abundancia
de larvas (8,12·100 m
-3
) se encontró en el arrecife articial (S1) en el
verano de 2016. Los arrecifes naturales tuvieron el mayor número
de especies (30 especies), y los arrecifes articiales mostraron la
diversidad de especies más baja (17 especies).
Palabras clave: Huevos; larvas; composición; biodiversidad
Distribution and abundance of ichthyoplankton in natural al articial reefs
in Edremit Bay, Northern Aegean Sea, Türkiye
Distribución y abundancia del ictioplancton en arrecifes naturales y articiales en la
Bahía de Edremit, Mar Egeo septentrional, Turquía
Kadriye Zengin
1
* , Dilek Türker
1
, Alpaslan Kara
2
1
Balikesir University, Faculty of Science and Arts, Department of Biology. Balikesir, Türkiye.
2
Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Sheep Breeding Research Institute, Department of Fisheries, Balikesir, Türkiye.
*Corresponding author: zenginkadriye@gmail.com
FIGURE 1. Location of sampling stations in Edremit Bay (Natural Reefs: S–1: Station
1, S–2: Station 2 and S–3: Station 3; Articial Reefs: S–4: Station 4 and S–5: Station 5)
Ichthyoplankton abundance in Edremit Bay / Zengin et al. __________________________________________________________________________
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INTRODUCTION
The studies on ichthyoplankton are important in the life cycle
of sh species and stock management. Quantitative studies have
found this important, explaining how sh species reproduce and
recruit in the aquatic ecosystem [1]. Additionally, water quality and
environmental conditions may affect the initial phases of the life cycle
of sh species [2]. Larval shes exhibit a high degree of fragility and
are particularly vulnerable to uctuations in environmental conditions
and water quality. Due to the fragility and sensitivity of larval sh to
ambient and water quality uctuations, any environmental impact
on these populations could be catastrophic [3]. The investigation of
ichthyoplankton in Edremit Bay has been limited and the main studies
so far being those by Türker–Çakır [2].
Edremit Bay is one of the important areas for small–scale shing in
the North Aegean Sea. For this reason, Türker–Çakır [2], suggests that
more detailed ichthyoplankton studies should be continued to evaluate
the sh stock status of the region, calculate the adult sh biomass,
and determine the spawning period, place, and time of sh species. In
addition, from 2011 to 2013 articial reefs were constructed in Edremit
Bay. This articial reef in Edremit Bay is one of the largest articial
reef areas in the Levantine basin. Regular research of sh eggs and
larvae in the region inuenced by Edremit Bay Articial Reef would
offer a better knowledge of the structure and function of the local
ecosystem, as well as provide a basis for marine ecosystem monitoring
in the area. The rst comprehensive ichthyoplankton study in the world
was carried out by Cunningham [4] on the coasts of England, while the
rst ichthyoplankton study in Turkey was carried out by Arım [5] and
included the descriptive characteristics of 8 species sampled from
Marmara and Black Sea. In many ichthyoplankton studies after this
date, species–specic early stages were investigated, while the number
of studies investigating habitats in terms of a time series, (e.g., Mater
[6], Çoker [7], Çoker and Mater [8]) as in the Gulf of İzmir is limited.
In addition, no ichthyoplankton monitoring study has been carried
out for articial habitats until this study. Ichthyoplankton surveys are
one of the most useful and reliable methods to observe changes in
sh communities [9, 10, 11, 12]. As a result, the current study intends
to report on the regional and temporal uctuations in the particular
composition and abundance of ichthyoplankton via a comparative
analysis of the data set. For this aim, samplings were carried out in 2013
(winter 2013), in 2014 (spring 2014; summer 2014; autumn 2014; winter
2014), in 2015 (spring 2015; summer 2015; autumn 2015; winter 2015),
and in 2016 (spring 2016; summer 2016; autumn 2016; winter 2016) in
Edremit Bay near the articial reef. However, in this study, only data
from 2015 and 2016 were evaluated.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Edremit Bay is one of the greatest gulfs in the North Aegean Sea,
with a narrowest point of 34 kilometers and a widest point of 45
kilometers. Edremit Bay is topographically separated into two bays:
inner and outer bays. The inner bay is generated to the east of the line
formed by the underwater valley that generates the depth differences
between Bozburun and Altınoluk, while the outer bay is formed to
the west [13]. Edremit Bay is located in the mixing zone of waters of
Mediterranean and Black Sea origin. As a result of the mixing of these
water masses with two different salinity and temperature, upwelling
occurs with the effect of current systems. This situation causes an
explosion of phytoplankton and zooplankton in the region and creates
suitable habitats especially for pelagic sh [14, 15]. In addition to these
features, Edremit Bay was preferred for articial reef application due
to its suitable bottom structure. More than 6000 cylindrical articial
reefs made of C3 type concrete have been laid in the area close to
the coast from Narlı shores of Edremit Bay to Akçay shores. Samples
were collected from stations determined within this area (FIGURE 1).
A WP–2 type plankton net (57 cm diameter, 250 µm mesh size)
was used to collect data horizontally from the surface for 10 min at
a speed of 2 knots. Eggs, larvae and sh samples, physico–chemical
parameters and chlorophyll–a values were obtained from stations
belonging to two different habitats: natural reef and articial reef
in Edremit Bay in 2013 (winter 2013), in 2014 (spring 2014; summer
2014; autumn 2014; winter 2014), in 2015 (spring 2015; summer 2015;
autumn 2015; winter 2015), and in 2016 (spring 2016; summer 2016;
autumn 2016; winter 2016). However, in this study, only data from 2015
and 2016 were evaluated. Physico–chemical environment parameters
(depth, temperature, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen) and chlorophyll–a
(chl–a) values were measured seasonally and in the eld at all stations
with a WTW Multi 340i model (made in Germany) portable parameter
measuring device. Station names, depths, temperature, salinity,
dissolved oxygen levels, and chl–a values were presented in TABLE I.
Ichthyoplankton were preserved in 4% buffered formaldehyde
solution. they were then separated and classied, with the help of the
stereoscopic microscope (4×10X) (Olympus SZ–60 type, Japan). Eggs
and larvae were identied following Mater [6], Çoker [7], Fahay [16],
Leis and Rennis [17], Leis and Trnski [18], and Moser [19]. The number
of ichthyoplankton individuals per 100 m
3
was computed using the
methods described by Postel et al. [20] and Çoker and Cihangir [3]:
V = t × v × M (m
3
/individuals = hour × mph × m
2
) where V = sampling
volume, t = sampling time, v = sampling velocity, and M = area of the
net mouth (M=π×r
2
). The abundance of the observed species was
calculated as follows:
Abundance = N/V (individuals/m
3
) where N = number of samples
from each station. The calculated result was then multiplied by 100
and reported as number of individuals per 100 m
3
[3]. The chi–square
test was applied to determine whether there is a difference between
stations and seasons in terms of the abundance of sh eggs and larvae.
TABLE I
Station names, depths (m), temperature (°C), salinity (ppt), pH, dissolved oxygen levels (mg·L
-1
), and chl–a (mg·L
-1
) values in Stations 1 and 5 in 2013 to 2016
(Sp: Spring, Su: Summer, A: Autumn, W: Winter; Natural Reefs: S1: Station 1, S2: Station 2 and S3: Station 3; Articial Reefs: S4: Station 4 and S5: Station 5)
Stations
Parameters Physico–
chemical and Chl–a
2013 2014 2015 2016
Sp. Su. A W Sp. Su. A W Sp. Su. A W Sp. Su. A W
Station 1
Depth (m) – 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28 28
Temperature (°C) – 23.9 16.9 15.9 23.1 25.2 19.2 16.1 21.9 25.1 19.1 14 14.4 23 21.3 15.4
Salinity (ppt) – 39.4 29.99 38.07 39.69 40.54 39.77 38.52 40.43 40.22 39.72 39.28 37.73 39.64 39.67 38.06
pH – 8.14 8.36 8.24 8.13 8.01 7.85 7.68 8.18 8.03 7.84 7.83 7.9 7.9 7.84 8.13
Oxygen (mg·L
-1
) – 6.46 7.77 7.37 6.2 5.33 4.08 7.1 6.83 5.57 5.97 7.52 8.62 7.03 7.49 7.28
Chl–a (mg·L
-1
) – 0.201 0.698 0.278 0.517 0.027 0.267 0.456 0.297 0.023 0.234 0.405 0.416 0.131 0.094 0.465
Station 2
Depth (m) – 32 32 32 32 32 32 32 32 32 32 32 32 32 32 32
Temperature (°C) – 23.9 17.1 16.1 23.5 26.5 19.3 16.4 21.9 26.4 19.2 13.5 15.2 23.6 21 15.9
Salinity (ppt) – 37.4 30 38.14 39.49 40.55 39.76 38.99 40.1 40.33 39.75 38.05 39.15 39.63 39.63 37.99
pH – 8.14 8.36 8.26 8.1 7.98 8.01 8.06 8.02 8.01 8 7.71 7.77 7.88 7.79 8.14
Oxygen (mg·L
-1
) – 6.43 7.58 7.61 6.37 5.96 5.94 6.82 6.87 6.01 5.99 7.54 6.79 7.15 7.39 7.13
Chl–a (mg·L
-1
) – 0.113 0.368 0.296 0.633 0.178 0.318 0.242 0.664 0.184 0.284 0.505 0.308 0.117 0.107 0.481
Station 3
Depth (m) – 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
Temperature (°C) – 23.6 17.2 16.2 24.3 25.2 19.3 17 22.2 25.3 19.2 13.8 15.6 24 20.7 15.4
Salinity (ppt) – 39.36 30.48 38.09 39.32 40.52 39.33 39.46 40.26 40.49 39.46 38.75 36.24 39.38 39,62 38.08
pH – 8.13 8.41 8.26 8.14 8.1 8 8.1 8.25 8.1 8 7.98 8.01 7.69 7.51 7.82
Oxygen (mg·L
-1
) – 6.5 7.82 7.56 7.03 6.36 6.03 6.74 7.34 6.42 6.14 8.03 4.34 7.97 6.9 7.55
Chl–a (mg·L
-1
) – 0.111 0.199 0.216 0.933 0.057 0.212 0.149 0.763 0.025 0.232 0.782 1.822 0.501 0.989 0.263
Station 4
Depth (m) – 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18 18
Temperature (°C) – 24 16.9 15.9 23.3 24.1 19.5 16.4 22.3 25.2 19.2 13.8 15.7 23.2 20.7 15.2
Salinity (ppt) – 38.97 30.37 38.15 39.57 40.54 39.37 38.88 40.42 40.46 39.51 39.15
37.25 39.53 39.66 37.78
pH – 8.13 8.37 8.24 8.14 7.92 8.04 8.15 8.18 7.94 8.07 7.89 7.94 7.83 7.85 8.17
Oxygen (mg·L
-1
) – 6.59 7.66 7.7 6.57 5.04 6.01 7.07 7.02 6.11 6.17 8.01 3.83 7.25 7.14 7.45
Chl–a (mg·L
-1
) – 0.276 0.367 0.479 0.556 0.115 0.239 0.138 0.192 0.175 0.237 0.492 1.851 0.122 0.457 0.254
Station 5
Depth (m) – 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26
Temperature (°C) – 23.9 17.1 16.1 24.1 26.7 19.4 16.2 22.4 25.9 19.4 13.7 15.9 23.2 20.7 15.6
Salinity (ppt) – 37.18 29.91 38.03 39.35 40.78 39.27 38.58 40.6 40.66 39.25 39.7 37.75 39.57 39.61 38.06
pH – 8.1 8.36 8.25 8.16 8.07 7.97 8.07 8.16 8.03 8.06 7.91 7.6 7.93 7.95 8.14
Oxygen (mg·L
-1
) – 6.55 7.59 7.36 6.63 5.69 5.37 7.05 6.85 6.01 5.49 7.94 9.12 7.09 7.17 7.15
Chl–a (mg·L
-1
) – 0.328 0.298 0.285 0.607 0.004 0.320 0.205 0.103 0.003 0.296 0.312 0.970 0.108 0.646 0.357
_____________________________________________________________________________Revista Cientifica, FCV-LUZ / Vol. XXXIV, rcfcv-e34408
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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The Bay had a range of temperatures, with the lowest recorded
temperature being 13.5 °C from the natural reef (S2) in 2015 (winter)
and the highest recorded temperature being 26.5 °C from the natural
reef (S2) in 2015 (summer). The minimum salinity of 29.910 ppt was
recorded at the articial reef (S5) in 2013 (autumn), while the maximum
of 40.660 ppt was recorded at the articial reef (S5) in 2015 (summer).
The minimum dissolved oxygen level of 3.83 mg·L
-1
was recorded at
the articial reef (S4) in 2016 (spring), while the maximum dissolved
oxygen level of 9.12 mg·L
-1
was recorded at the articial reef (S5) in
2016 (spring). The minimum pH of 7.51 was recorded at the natural reef
(S3) in 2016 (autumn), while the maximum pH of 8.41 was recorded at
the natural reef (S3) in 2013 (autumn). The minimum chl–a of 0.0037
mg·L
-1
was recorded at the articial reef (S4) in 2015 (summer), while
the maximum chl–a of 1.8514 mg·L
-1
was recorded at the articial reef
(S4) in 2016 (spring). The data associated with the years 2013 to 2016
is shown in TABLE I. In addition, FIGURE 2 presents the data for the
years 2015 and 2016.
FIGURE 2. Depth (m), T: temperature (°C), salinity (ppt), pH, O2: dissolved oxygen
levels (mg·L
-1
), and chlorophyll–a: chl–a (mg·L
-1
) values in Stations 1 and 5 in
2015–2016 (Sp: Spring, Su: Summer, A: Autumn, W: Winter)
FIGURE 3. The total incidence of eggs and larvae by stations in the Edremit Bay
(Natural Reefs: S1: Station 1, S2: Station 2 and S3: Station 3; Articial Reefs: S4:
Station 4 and S5: Station 5)
FIGURE 4. Seasonal incidence of eggs by year.
Ichthyoplankton abundance in Edremit Bay / Zengin et al. __________________________________________________________________________
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TABLE II provides information on the abundance of eggs and larvae
for the different seasons. Eggs were not found in the natural reef (S3)
in the summer and winter of 2015, while the highest egg abundance
(212.83·100 m
-3
) was recorded in the natural reef (S1) in the summer
of 2016. Larvae were not found in the natural reefs (S2 and S3) in the
summer, autumn, and winter of 2015 and in the articial reefs (S4
and S5) in the summer and autumn of 2015, while the highest larvae
abundance (8.12·100 m
-3
) in the articial reef (S1) in summer 2016. Upon
analysis of the 3345 eggs collected during the study, it was found that
Station–1 had the highest density while Station–3 had the lowest.
Similarly, analysis of the 176 larvae revealed that Station–1 had the
highest density while Station–5 had the lowest (FIGURE 3). A statistical
difference was observed between the stations in terms of eggs and
larvae abundance (P<0.05). During the study period, a total of 3345 eggs
were collected, with 60% being sampled in the summer of 2016 and 1%
in the spring of 2015. Additionally, a total of 176 larvae were collected,
with 52% being sampled in the summer of 2016 and 1% in the autumn
of 2015. (FIGURES 4-5). A statistical difference was observed in the
abundance of eggs and larvae between the years (P<0.05).
TABLE II
General areas of distribution and total abundance (individuals per 100 m
3
) of the eggs and larvae in Edremit Bay between 2015
and 2016 (Natural Reefs: S1: Station 1, S2: Station 2 and S3: Station 3; Articial Reefs: S4: Station 4 and S5: Station 5)
Stations
2015 2016
Spring Summer Autumn Winter Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Eggs Larvae Eggs Larvae Eggs Larvae Eggs Larvae Eggs Larvae Eggs Larvae Eggs Larvae Eggs Larvae
Station 1 53.55 3.82 63.27 0.52 2.09 0.52 14.12 2.61 13.33 1.57 212.83 8.12 11.24 2.61 26.93 1.04
Station 2 19.12 3.82 8.37 0.52 2.35 0 1.31 0 17.52 1.05 104.32 4.44 10.19 1.57 21.43 1.04
Station 3 11.47 3.82 0 0 2.35 0 0 0 19.35 1.05 71.12 4.44 7.58 1.57 11.76 0.52
Station 4 22.95 3.82 15.95 0 1.05 0 6.01 1.05 10.46 0.26 68.5 3.39 7.84 1.05 10.71 0.26
Station 5 11.47 3.82 8.63 0.26 9.93 0 4.18 0.26 15.95 0.52 70.33 3.39 7.58 1.05 7.84 0.26
FIGURE 5. Seasonal incidence of larvae by year.
TABLE III
Availability of eggs and larvae of the species at the station by year (* rst record in this study for Edremit Bay); Natural
Reefs: S1: Station 1, S2: Station 2 and S3: Station 3; Articial Reefs: S4: Station 4 and S5: Station 5)
Species (Eggs and Larvae)
2015 2016
S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S1 S2 S3 S4 S5
* Arnoglossus kessleri Schmidt, 1915 – + + + + – – – – –
Arnoglossus laterna (Walbaum, 1792) + + + + – – + – – –
Arnoglossus thori Kyle, 1913 – – – – + – – – – –
Arnoglossus sp. – – + + – – – – – –
Atherina boyeri Risso, 1810 – + + – – + – + + +
* Boops boops (Linnaeus, 1758) + + – – – + + + – +
Buglossidium luteum (Risso, 1810) + + + + + + + – – +
Callionymus pusillus Delaroche, 1809 + + + + + – – – – –
Chelon saliens (Risso, 1810) – + – – + + + + + +
* Chelidonichthys lucerna (Linnaeus, 1758) + + + – – – – – – –
Chromis chromis (Linnaeus, 1758) – – – – + + + + – –
Coris julis (Linnaeus, 1758) + + – + + + + + + –
Ctenolabrus rupestris (Linnaeus, 1758) + + + + + – – – – –
* Dicentrarchus labrax (Linnaeus, 1758) – – – – – + + – + +
Diplodus annularis (Linnaeus, 1758) + + + + + + + + + +
Diplodus sargus (Linnaeus, 1758) – + + + – – + – – –
* Diplodus vulgaris (Georoy Saint–Hilaire, 1817) + – – – – + – – + +
* Echiichthys vipera (Cuvier, 1829) – + + + – – – – – –
Engraulis encrasicolus (Linnaeus, 1758) + + + + + + + + + +
Gaidropsarus mediterraneus (Linnaeus, 1758) + + – – – + + + – –
Gobius niger Linnaeus, 1758 + – + + – + + + + +
* Lepidotrigla cavillone (Lacepède, 1801) – – – + – – – – – –
* Lithognathus mormyrus (Linnaeus, 1758) + – – – – – – – – –
* Merlangius merlangus (Linnaeus, 1758) – – – – – + + + – +
* Merluccius merluccius (Linnaeus, 1758) + – + + – + + + + –
_____________________________________________________________________________Revista Cientifica, FCV-LUZ / Vol. XXXIV, rcfcv-e34408
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TABLE III provides information on the variety of species of eggs
and larvae based on different stations. Natural reefs showed the
highest number of species (30 species), while articial reefs showed
lower species diversity (17 species). D. annularis, S. pilchardus
and E. encrasicolus were found in all stations. The eggs or larvae
of seven species (A. thori, M. variegatus, P. minutus, S. colias, S.
porcus, S. sphyraena and L. cavillone) were exclusively found at
any of the artificial reefs (S4 and S5). The eggs or larvae of six
species (L. mormyrus, P. saltatrix, S. sarda, S. solea, S. melops, and
T. mediterraneus) were exclusively found at any of the natural reefs
(S1, S2 and S3). In this study, it is seen that some sh species choose
different habitats, such as natural or articial reefs for reproduction.
There are limited number of ichthyoplankton studies in Edremit
Bay. Among the existing ichthyoplankton studies, Türker–Çakır [2]
can be considered as the most detailed study. The present research
aims to determine the effect of articial reefs on ichthyoplankton
species diversity in Edremit Bay, which is signicantly affected
by anthropogenic factors, especially temperature fluctuations
caused by the climate crisis. To provide a basis for comparison, the
present investigation was compared with Türker–Çakır’s [2], which is
TABLE III cont...
Availability of eggs and larvae of the species at the station by year (* rst record in this study for Edremit Bay); Natural
Reefs: S1: Station 1, S2: Station 2 and S3: Station 3; Articial Reefs: S4: Station 4 and S5: Station 5)
Microchirus variegatus (Donovan, 1808) – – – + – – – – – –
* Mugil cephalus Linnaeus, 1758 + – – – – – – – – –
Mullus barbatus Linnaeus, 1758 + + – + + + + + + +
* Mullus surmuletus Linnaeus, 1758 + – – + + + – + + +
* Pagellus erythrinus (Linnaeus, 1758) – – – – – + + + + +
* Pomatomus saltatrix (Linnaeus, 1766) + – – – – – – – – –
* Pomatoschistus minutus (Pallas, 1770) – – – + – – – – – –
Phycis blennoides (Brünnich, 1768) – + + + – – – – – –
* Sarda sarda (Bloch, 1793) – – – – – + – – – –
Sardina pilchardus (Walbaum, 1792) + + + + + + + + + +
Sardinella aurita Valenciennes, 1847 + – – + + – – – – –
* Sciaena umbra Linnaeus, 1758 + – – – – + + + – –
* Scomber colias Gmelin, 1789 – – – + – – – – – –
* Scomber scombrus Linnaeus, 1758 – – – – – + + + + +
Scorpaena porcus Linnaeus, 1758 – – – – – – – – – +
* Scorpaena scrofa Linnaeus, 1758 + – – – – + + + + +
* Seriola dumerili (Risso, 1810) – – – – – + + + – –
Serranus cabrilla (Linnaeus, 1758) + + – + + – – – – –
Serranus hepatus (Linnaeus, 1758) + + + + + – – – – –
Serranus scriba (Linnaeus, 1758) + – – + + – – – – –
*
Serranus sp. + + – – – – – – – –
* Solea solea (Linnaeus, 1758) – – – – – + – – – –
Specimen of the Sparidae family. – – + – – – – – – –
* Sparus aurata Linnaeus, 1758 + – + – – – + – – –
* Sphyraena sphyraena (Linnaeus, 1758) – – – – + – – – – –
* Spicara smaris (Linnaeus, 1758) + + – + + – + – + +
* Symphodus melops (Linnaeus, 1758) – + – – – – – – – –
Symphodus ocellatus (Linnaeus, 1758) + + + + – + + – – –
Trachinus draco Linnaeus, 1758 + + + – + – – – – –
Trachurus mediterraneus (Steindachner, 1868) – + – – – – – – –
Trachurus trachurus (Linnaeus, 1758) – – – + + + + + + +
* Uranoscopus scaber Linnaeus, 1758 – + – – – + + – – –
Ichthyoplankton abundance in Edremit Bay / Zengin et al. __________________________________________________________________________
6 of 7
considered the most exhaustive research of Edremit Bay so far. It was
found that the physicochemical characteristics differed between the
two investigations. Over 15 years, the highest recorded temperature
has risen by 3.5°C. Furthermore, a decline in the level of dissolved
oxygen was observed (TABLE IV). However, different measurement
methods for some physicochemical parameters may have caused
different results in both studies.
TABLE IV
Comparison of physicochemical parameters and chl–a (mg·L
-1
) value
Studies Study Years
T (°C) Salinity (ppt) pH Dissolved O
2
(mg·L
-1
) chl–a (mg·L
-1
)
Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max.
Türker–Çakır, 2004 1999–2000 14 23 35.3 39 7.2 8.3 6.9 12.8 – –
This study 2015–2016 13.5 26.5 29.91 40.66 7.51 8.41 3.83 9.12 0.0037 1.8514
_____________________________________________________________________________Revista Cientifica, FCV-LUZ / Vol. XXXIV, rcfcv-e34408
7 of 7
This might have had an impact on the variety of species present.
Türker–Çakır [2] found a total of 62 species, while the present research
found 57 species. In this investigation, a total of 29 species’ eggs or
larvae were identied as new reports, as shown in TABLE III. Due to
variations in the locations of the stations, general evaluations were
regarding the prevalence of eggs and larvae. In the research of Türker–
Çakır [2], the abundance of eggs and larvae according to stations
were determined as Station–1 5.33·100 m
-3
, Station–2 5.49·100m
-3
,
Station–39.90·100 m
-3
, Station–4 38.69·100 m
-3
, Station–5 14.11·100m
-3
,
Station–6 6.32·100 m
-3
, Station–7 45.64·100 m
-3
, Station–8 5.09·100 m
-3
,
Station–9 7.18·100 m
-3
and Station–10 34.17·100 m
-3
. These values vary
according to the results of the current study.
CONCLUSION
As can be seen in TABLE VI, eggs or larvae of some species were
found for the rst time in this study, while the species given by Türker–
Çakır were not found in this study. This research shows that in addition
to variations in physicochemical parameters, the presence or absence
of anthropogenic inuences, such as the construction of articial
reefs in the bay, has a substantial impact on biodiversity. The chi–
square test for egg and larval abundance also shows that there is a
difference both temporally and locally. Regular monthly or seasonal
monitoring of ichthyological research can greatly enhance resource
management for small–scale sheries in Edremit Bay.
Funding information
This study is a part of Ph.D. thesis (Kadriye Zengin) and supported
“The Edremit Bay Articial Reefs Monitoring Project” (a project under
the auspices of TAGEM, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Türkiye).
Conicts of interest
The authors declare no conict of interest.
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