Hydrozoan biodiversity in the harbours of the Marmara sea

In this study, in order to determine the hydroid polyps distribution, three plaques which are made from different materials (wooden, PVC, rope coated PVC) are submerged at four different stations (Ambarlı Harbor, Haydarpaşa Harbor, Bandırma Harbor, and Kocaeli Harbor) in the Marmara Sea for three months (June-September 2017). The systematic studies on hydrozoans in the world seas, especially in the Mediterranean, are utilized in the identification of biofouling organisms on plaques that are taken from the harbors in our study. As a result of the study, 7 species belonging to 5 families (Ectopleura crocea, Obelia dichotoma, Bougainvillia muscus, Clytia gracilis Eudendrium capillare, Eudendrium cf. merulum and Sertularella ellisii) are found. Among these species, Ectopleura crocea is a new record for the Marmara Sea.