Benthic crustacean (Arthropoda) fauna of İğneada coastals and their bioecological features

This study was carried out to determine the benthic crustaceans and fauna along İğneada (Kırklareli) Coasts in order to support the work carried out for the declaration of marine protected area in this region. Rezova region of Bulgaria which has a border to İğneada has been declared as a marine protected area. İğneada, combining of the first common border with Bulgaria in this region, is expected to be declared as a marine protected area beyond borders. Sampling occurred between October 2012 - October 2013 seasonally. The materials examined in the study were collected from a total of 9 stations at depths of 5m, 10m and 20m using standard Van Veen Grab. After preliminary sorting, the collected material was examined under a stereomicroscope and identified to species level according to their morphological caharcteristics. As a result of the analysis of the samples, a total of 526 specimens belonging to 39 species, 30 genera, 25 families and 7 orders were determined. Accordingly, 16 species of Amphipoda, 4 species of Isopoda, 6 species of Decapoda, 3 species of Tanaidacea, 9 species of Cumacea, 1 species of Mysida and 1 species of Sessilia (Cirripedia) have been identified. The most dominant species at the stations detected were Ampelisca pseudospinim (12.12%), Bathyporei guilliamsoni (13:25%), Cumopsis goodsir (17:04%) and Perioculodes longimanus longimanus (10.22%). KeyWords: Crustacea, Protection Area, Ecology, Taxsonomy, Black Sea.