@article{article_1661281, title={A critical transition zone for fan mussels (Pinna nobilis): The Dardanelles as a barrier against mass mortality}, journal={Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences}, volume={42}, pages={213–221}, year={2025}, DOI={10.12714/egejfas.42.3.03}, url={https://izlik.org/JA68JC46LR}, author={Karadurmuş, Uğur and Sarı, Mustafa and Akkuş, Mustafa}, keywords={Critically endangered, mass mortality event, Pinna nobilis, salinity, Çanakkale Strait, Mediterranean Sea}, abstract={Pinna nobilis (fan mussel) is facing mass mortality event (MME) across the Mediterranean Sea due to a combination of several factors, including the pathogen Haplosporidium pinnae and other associated pathogens, as well as climate change, invasive species, habitat degradation, boat anchoring, exploitation, and disruptions in the food web. Despite a MME associated with mucilage event, the Sea of Marmara (SoM) still hosts high-density populations of fan mussels. Despite the severe impact across the Mediterranean, the persistence of populations in the SoM has raised questions about the factors contributing to their survival. This study investigates the role of salinity patterns in the survival of fan mussel populations in the Dardanelles, a critical transition zone between the Aegean Sea and the SoM. The objective is to determine whether the unique salinity patterns in the Dardanelles provide a protective effect against the MME. Underwater observations were conducted at 23 sites in the Dardanelles in August 2024, and salinity patterns were analysed. The results reveal a significant increase in mortality rates as salinity rises above 24.9 psu, with nearly 100% mortality observed at the higher salinity levels. These findings, synthesized with existing literature, suggest that the salinity patterns in the Dardanelles play a crucial role in the survival of fan mussel by either preventing the pathogen from entering the SoM or mitigating its lethal effects. The Dardanelles, which serves as a critical transition point by supporting the survival of fan mussel populations, should be the focus of additional scientific research.}, number={3}, organization={The Directorate General of Protection of Natural Assets supported this work under the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change under the name “Protection and monitoring fan mussel in the Sea of Marmara (MAR-PİNA) Project”.}