Macroinvertebrates fauna associated with sponge Sarcotragus foetidus Schmidt, 1862 (Porifera:Demospongiae) in Iskenderun Bay

The present study was carried out to determine the macro invertebrates fauna in association with sponge Sarcotragus foetidus Schmidt, 1862. The study were carried out in five different stations (1-2 m) selected in Iskenderun Bay in July 8-15, 2016 and samples were obtained in three different stations. As a result of the present study, a total of 424 specimens belonging to 38 species of seven systematic grups were identified. Among the species determined, Synalpheus gambaroloides (Nardo, 1847) was the most dominant species representative with dominance value of 32.31%, followed by Brachidontes pharaonis (P. Fischer, 1870) with of 11.32% and other species with a value of 56.37%. Amphiura chiajei Forbes, 1843, Brachidontes pharaonis (P. Fischer, 1870) and Ostrea sp are firstly reported in association with the sponge species