Distribution of Microflora, Meiofauna, and Macrofauna Assemblages in the Hypersaline Environment of Northeastern Aegean Sea Coasts

Bassler-Veit, Barbara; Barut, İ̇pek F.; Merıç, Engin; Avşar, Niyazi; Nazik, Atike; Kapan-Yeşilyurt, Sevinç; Yıldız, Alptekin

doi:10.2112/jcoastres-d-12-00022.1

Cited by 11 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…This species is known to colonize sandy substrate in inner shelf environments and is tolerant to brackish water intolerant to salinity higher than 50 psu (Murray 2006). However, this species was identified in several locations along the Gulf of Saros (Turkey) in environments where salinity reached over 50 psu (Bassler-Veit et al 2013). Based on the concentration factor and the normal seawater salinity in the southern coast of Tunisia (* 37 psu) (Béranger et al 2004), the present study suggests that salinity can exceed 55 psu in the part of the lagoon where H. depressula is dominant and confirms the ecological tolerance of this species to high salinity.…”

Section: Benthic Foraminifera As Bioindicatorssupporting

confidence: 66%

Distribution of benthic foraminiferal assemblages in the transitional environment of the Djerba lagoon (Tunisia)

et al. 2018

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The eastern edge of the Djerba Island represents an important tourist pole. However, studies describing the environmental processes affecting this Island are scarce. Although never studied before, the peculiar Djerba lagoon is well known by the local population and by tourists. In July 2014, surface sediment and seawater samples were collected in this lagoon to measure grain size, organic matter content and living foraminiferal assemblages to describe environmental conditions. Seawater samples were also collected and the concentration of 17 chemical elements were measured by ICP-OES. The results show that a salinity gradient along the studied transect clearly impacts seagrass distribution, creating different environmental conditions inside the Djerba lagoon. Biotic and abiotic parameters reflect a transitional environment from hypersaline to normal marine conditions. Living benthic foraminifera show an adaptation to changing conditions within the different parts of the lagoon. In particular, the presence of Ammonia spp. and Haynesina depressula correlates with hypersaline waters, whilst Brizalina striatula characterizes the parts of the lagoon colonized by seagrass. Epifaunal species, such as Rosalina vilardeboana and Amphistegina spp. colonize hard substrata present at the transition between the lagoon and the open sea.

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Section: Benthic Foraminifera As Bioindicatorssupporting

confidence: 66%

Distribution of benthic foraminiferal assemblages in the transitional environment of the Djerba lagoon (Tunisia)

et al. 2018

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“…The species is present off the European Atlantic coast (Bouchet et al, 2007) and in the Red Sea (Hottinger et al, 1993). Illustrated Mediterranean Sea records include specimens from the Adriatic Sea (Wiesner, 1923;von Daniels, 1970;Cimerman & Langer, 1991;Mouanga, 2017), Greece (Debenay et al, 2005) and Turkey (Bassler-Veit, 2013;Meriç et al, 2014). Subfossil specimens from the Aegean Sea were recorded by Koukousioura et al (2012).…”

Section: Adelosina Carinata-striatamentioning

confidence: 99%

Alien and cryptogenic Foraminifera in the Mediterranean Sea: A revision of taxa as part of the EU 2020 Marine Strategy Framework Directive

2020

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The human-mediated translocation of marine alien species beyond their natural ranges started as early as people began navigating the sea and is of growing concern to nature conservation. The Mediterranean Sea is among the most severely affected areas by biological invasions, a phenomenon that has been fostered by the opening and recent extension of the Suez Canal, the transport and release of ballast water, aquaculture and aquarium trade, ichthyochory and other active or passive dispersal mechanisms. The increase of marine invasions has stimulated considerable research, but for some important groups, in particular microorganisms, data are still limited. In this paper we have reviewed the current status of marine alien foraminifera in the Mediterranean Sea. Our survey includes a comrephensive taxonomic revision of previously recognized alien taxa, and new information obtained from the fossil record and from molecular studies. Our survey and reexamination of alien benthic foraminifera yielded a total of 43 validly recognized species and two species of cryptogenic taxa and reduces the number of previous recordings. The revised list includes both larger symbiont-bearing and smaller benthic foraminifera, including 16 hyaline-perforate, 3 agglutinated and 24 porcelaneous taxa. The vast majority of alien foraminifera recorded so far have become established in the Eastern and Central Mediterranean Sea, indicative for translocation and introduction via the Suez Canal pathway. Only one species, Amphistegina lobifera, causes significant ecological impacts and fulfills the criteria to be considered as an invasive alien. This species is a prolific carbonate producer, and displays extreme forms of ecosystem invasibility with capabilities to reduce native diversity and species richness. The proliferation and rates of recently observed range extensions, track contemporary sea surface temperature increases, provide strong support for previous species distribution models, and corroborate findings that rising water temperatures, global climate change and the extension of climate belts are major drivers fueling the latitudinal range expansion of larger symbiont-bearing and smaller epiphytic foraminifera. Intensified efforts to study alien foraminifera on a molecular level, in dated cores and in ballast water are required to trace their source of origin, to identify vectors of introduction and to verify their status as true aliens.

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“…Meiofaunal abundance increased in sediments underneath the discharge and nematodes dominated impacted stations (Riera et al 2011). Meiofauna assemblages (mainly foraminiferans and ostracods) were reported from saltpans, hypersaline lagoons and salt lakes of the Gulf of Saros (Turkey; Bassler-Veit et al 2013). High kinorhynch abundances were observed in a lagoon area in Java, Indonesia, where salinity levels vary from 24‰ to 41‰ (Ostmann et al 2012); in the Itamaraca mangrove area (Brazil), where salinity levels reach 40-44‰ (Gomes et al 2002); as well as in the Rio Formoso Estuary (Brazil), where the salinity is 37‰ (Vasconcelos et al 2004; see salinity adaptations in the mangroves section).…”

Section: Meiofauna From Hypersaline Areasmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characteristics of meiofauna in extreme marine ecosystems: a review

et al. 2017

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Extreme marine environments cover more than 50% of the Earth's surface and offer many opportunities for investigating the biological responses and adaptations of organisms to stressful life conditions. Extreme marine environments are sometimes associated with ephemeral and unstable ecosystems, but can host abundant, often endemic and welladapted meiofaunal species. In this review, we present an integrated view of the biodiversity, ecology and physiological responses of marine meiofauna inhabiting several extreme marine environments (mangroves, submarine caves, Polar ecosystems, hypersaline areas, hypoxic/anoxic environments, hydrothermal vents, cold seeps, carcasses/sunken woods, deep-sea canyons, deep hypersaline anoxic basins [DHABs] and hadal zones). Foraminiferans, nematodes and copepods are abundant in almost all of these habitats and are dominant in deep-sea ecosystems. The presence and dominance of some other taxa that are normally less common may be typical of certain extreme conditions. Kinorhynchs are particularly well adapted to cold seeps and other environments that experience drastic changes in salinity, rotifers are well represented in polar ecosystems and loriciferans seem to be the only metazoan able to survive multiple stressors in DHABs. As well as natural processes, human activities may generate stressful conditions, including deoxygenation, acidification and rises in temperature. The behaviour and physiology of different meiofaunal taxa, such as some foraminiferans, nematode and copepod species, can provide vital information on how organisms may respond to these challenges and can provide a warning signal of anthropogenic impacts. From an evolutionary perspective, the discovery of new meiofauna taxa from extreme environments very often sheds light on phylogenetic relationships, while understanding how meiofaunal organisms are able to survive or even flourish in these conditions can explain evolutionary pathways. Finally, there are multiple potential economic benefits to be gained from ecological, biological, physiological and evolutionary studies of meiofauna in extreme environments. Despite all the advantages offered by meiofauna studies from extreme environments, there is still an urgent need to foster meiofauna research in terms of composition, ecology, biology and physiology focusing on extreme environments.

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Distribution of Microflora, Meiofauna, and Macrofauna Assemblages in the Hypersaline Environment of Northeastern Aegean Sea Coasts

Cited by 11 publications

References 3 publications

Distribution of benthic foraminiferal assemblages in the transitional environment of the Djerba lagoon (Tunisia)

Distribution of benthic foraminiferal assemblages in the transitional environment of the Djerba lagoon (Tunisia)

Alien and cryptogenic Foraminifera in the Mediterranean Sea: A revision of taxa as part of the EU 2020 Marine Strategy Framework Directive

Characteristics of meiofauna in extreme marine ecosystems: a review

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