First observation of Ergalatax junionae (Houart, 2008) predation on egg capsules of Semicassis granulata undulata (Gmelin, 1791) from İskenderun Bay

Öz

The predation effect of Ergalatax junionae Houart, 2008 on the egg capsule of Semicassis granulata undulata (Gmelin, 1791) which is in the breeding period in Iskenderun Bay, in the Keldag coast-Uzunkaya locality, was investigated. This research was carried out by performing a SCUBA dive operation to a depth of 12-14m. It was determined that in May-June, S. g. undulata female individuals (7.2±0.22 cm) form the egg capsule in 7.5 hours depending on the conditions and leave the spawning area after the capsule formation is completed. After about 2-4 hours, it was observed that Ergalatax junionae Houart, 2008 individuals (2,7±0,19 cm), which were predators, approached the area where the egg capsule was and showed predation behavior by climbing on the egg capsule. It was determined that the predator’s approach to the capsule was done as a group in May and individually and scattered in June. It was determined that an egg capsule exposed to predation was completely damaged after approximately 24-32 hours, and the capsule walls were pierced by E. junionae and the majority of the larvae were damaged. It has been observed that the damage quality in the capsules is 75-85% on average. For the first time in this study, it was observed that the predator E. junionae exhibited predation behavior on S. g. undulata egg capsules selected as prey. This research, by revealing the predatory aspect of E. junionae in terms of nutrition with the underwater observation made in the Iskenderun Bay, showed that the egg capsule of S. g. undulata is among the prey options and is important in terms of filling the knowledge gap in this area.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Ergalatax junionae
• predation
• egg capsule
• penetration

İSKENDERUN KÖRFEZİ’NDE SEMICASSIS GRANULATA UNDULATA’NIN (GMELIN, 1791) YUMURTA KAPSÜLÜ ÜZERİNE ERGALATAX JUNIONAE (HOUART, 2008) PREDASYONUNDAN İLK GÖZLEM

Öz

u çalışmada, İskenderun Körfezi’nde, Keldağ kıyısı-Uzunkaya mevkiinde, üreme döneminde olan Semicassis granulata undulata (Gmelin, 1791) yumurta kapsülü üzerine, Ergalatax junionae Houart, 2008’nin (Duclos, 1832) predasyon baskısı incelenmiştir. Çalışma 12-14 m derinliğe SCUBA dalış operasyonu yapılarak gerçekleştirilmiştir. Mayıs-Haziran aylarında, S. g. undulata dişi bireylerinin (7,2±0,22 cm) yumurta kapsülünü koşullara bağlı olarak ortalama 7,5 saat sürede oluşturduğu ve kapsül oluşumu tamamlandıktan sonra yumurtlama bölgesini terk ettiği belirlenmiştir. Yaklaşık 2-4 saat sonra yumurta kapsülünün olduğu bölgeye predatör olan Ergalatax junionae Houart, 2008 bireylerinin (2,7±0,19 cm) yaklaştığı ve yumurta kapsülü üzerine çıkarak predasyon davranışı sergilediği gözlenmiştir. Predatörün kapsüle yaklaşım davranışı, Mayıs ayında grupça, Haziran ayında bireysel ve dağınık olarak yapıldığı belirlenmiştir. Predasyona maruz kalan bir yumurta kapsülünün yaklaşık 24-32 saat sonra tamamen hasar gördüğü, kapsül duvarlarının E. junionae tarafından delinerek larvaların büyük çoğunluğunun zarar gördüğü tespit edilmiştir. Kapsüllerdeki hasar niteliği ortalama %75-85 oranında olduğu gözlenmiştir. İlk kez bu çalışma ile predatör olan E. junionae’nin av olarak seçtiği S. g. undulata yumurta kapsülleri üzerine predasyon davranışı sergilediği görüntülenmiştir. Bu araştırma, İskenderun Körfezi’nde yapılan sualtı gözlemi ile E. junionae’nin beslenme açısından predatör yönünü ortaya koyarak, av seçenekleri arasında S. g. undulata yumurta kapsülünün olduğunu göstermiştir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Semicassis granulata undulata
• Ergalatax junionae
• predasyon
• yumurta kapsülü
• penetrasyon
• predation
• egg capsule
• penetration

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