Abstract:

Four alien foraminifer species are found in the recent sediment samples collected from the Aegean coast of Turkey. Nodobaculariella cristobalensis McCulloch and N. galapagosensis McCulloch are observed in Güllük Bay (Muğla), Karşıyaka (İzmir) and Babakale (Balıkesir). These two species have not yet been recorded in the Mediterranean. Their absence in the Indian Ocean fauna suggests an introduction via ballast waters. Two individuals of Indo-Pacific originated foraminifer species, Pseudonodosaria brevis (d'Orbigny, 1846) are found in the recent sediment samples from Ildır Bay (İzmir) and Akköy (Aydın). This constitutes the first records of these species in the Mediterranean Sea. Cornuspiroides striolata (Brady) specimens are observed in grab samples collected from seven different stations in Ildır Bay. This is the second record of this species from the Turkish coastline and extends its range of distribution.

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