The very rare and little-known fishes along the coasts of Izmir (Aegean Sea, Turkey) in the past 40 years (1969-2008)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to document the frequency of occurrence of very rare fish species as well as to note the changes in diversity over time. Fish species recorded fewer than five times over the past 40 years from the coasts of Izmir (central Aegean Sea) were included in the account and considered as being very rare. The records are listed chronologically. Fish species recently recorded in the area for the first time are also included. Changes in qualitative and quantitative composition of the ichthyofauna along the coasts of Izmir are also discussed.

Distribution of blackchin guitarfish Rhinobatos cemiculus E. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1817 (Elasmobranchii: Rhinobatidae) with first records from İzmir Bay (Turkey, northeastern Aegean Sea)

“…This is due to the fact that the female carries the brood throughout gestation and consequently contributes to embryonic development by providing organic and inorganic nutrients; this is probably the case for R. cemiculus from İzmir Bay, even if such a hypothesis is only supported by 2 records. R. cemiculus was not reported in the recent rare fish list resulting from observations carried out between 1969 and 2008 (Akyol et al, 2011); consequently, this ichthyological note represents a clear indication of first records of R. cemiculus in the northernmost part of the Aegean Sea.…”

“…With regard to İzmir Bay and its related areas, 39 chondrichthyan species and 237 osteichthyan species have been identified (Geldiay, 1969). Studies conducted between 1969 and 2011 have reported a total of 79 rare and little-known fish species in İzmir Bay; additionally, it has been anticipated that some new uncommon fish species could be added to the local ichthyofauna (Akyol et al, 2011(Akyol et al, , 2013.…”

“…The area has, therefore, been closed for bottom trawlers for the past 2 decades and for purse-seiners since 2000. Artisanal small-scale fishery such as gillnets, trammel nets, and longlines are thus the main fishing methods currently used in the area (Akyol et al, 2011). With regard to İzmir Bay and its related areas, 39 chondrichthyan species and 237 osteichthyan species have been identified (Geldiay, 1969).…”

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“…Ben-Tuvia (1972) first mentioned from U. moluccensis in Izmir Bay, but we believe this to be erroneous as no solid details were provided and no further records were made up to the present. Moreover, Akyol et al (2011) did not mention it within Izmir fish fauna during the past four decades. Corsini-Foka and Economidis (2007) also erroneously reported occurring U. moluccensis from Kuşadası Bay, Turkey when referred to Kaya et al (1999).…”

A NEW MAXIMUM LENGTH FOR THE PARROTFISH, Sparisoma cretense (Linnaeus, 1758) IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA

“…Parrotfish is distributed along the Turkish coasts of Aegean (Öğretmen et al, 2005;Fricke et al, 2007;Akyol et al, 2011) and Mediterranean Sea (Fricke et al, 2007). It's also recorded from Köycegiz Lagoon/Dalyan River system by Akın et al (2005).…”