First Mediterranean Record of the Tintinnid, Leprotintinnus simplex (Schmidt, 1902) from İzmir Bay (Aegean Sea, Türkiye)

Abstract

Leprotintinnus simplex Schmidt, 1902 was recorded for the first time in İzmir Bay during plankton monitoring conducted in September 2025. The species was observed at all three sampling stations, albeit at varying abundances. Morphometric analyses based on 100 individuals revealed a mean lorica length of 124.8 µm (range: 65.0–208.5 µm), a mean lorica oral diameter (LOD) of 19.6 µm (range: 10.0–36.0 µm), and a mean L/LOD ratio of 6.5 (range: 3.8–9.2). The tapering angle of the lorica from the oral to the aboral end averaged 2.4° (range: 0.9°–3.8°). These measurements fall within the range of global morphological variation previously reported for the species. The detection of L. simplex in İzmir Bay suggests that the species may have been introduced via maritime transport, most likely through ship ballast water. Previously reported from the Indian Ocean, the South Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Gulf of Mexico, the species is here recorded for the first time from the Mediterranean Sea. This study documents the first Mediterranean occurrence of L. simplex and provides a concise biogeographical overview of its global distribution.

Keywords

• Tintinnidiidae
• lorica morphology
• microzooplankton
• ballast water introduction
• bay of İzmir

Ethical Statement

Not applicable.

Thanks

This study was conducted using samples collected during seasonal field surveys as part of the project “2025 Monitoring of Physical, Chemical and Biological Effects and Results of Dredging Activities to be Carried Out in the İzmir Bay Marine Environment,” jointly carried out and completed by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality IZSU and Ege University. I would like to thank the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality IZSU team for providing logistical support, including field infrastructure and boat assistance, throughout the project.

İzmir Körfezi’nden (Ege Denizi, Türkiye) Tintinnid, Leprotintinnus simplex (Schmidt, 1902)’in Akdeniz'deki İlk Kaydı

Abstract

Leprotintinnus simplex Schmidt, 1902, 2025 yılı Eylül ayında gerçekleştirilen plankton izleme çalışmaları sırasında İzmir Körfezi'nde ilk kez kaydedildi. Tür, üç örnekleme istasyonunda da farklı yoğunluklarda gözlendi. 100 bireye dayalı morfometrik analizler, ortalama lorikanın uzunluğunun 124,8 µm (aralığı: 65,0–208,5 µm), ortalama lorikanın ağız çapının (LOD) 19,6 µm (aralığı: 10,0–36,0 µm) ve ortalama L/LOD oranının 6,5 (aralığı: 3,8–9,2) olduğunu ortaya koydu. Lorikanın ağız ucundan aboral uca doğru incelme açısı ortalama 2,4° (0,9°–3,8°) olarak bulundu. Bu ölçümler, tür için bildirilen küresel morfolojik varyasyon içinde yer almaktadır. İzmir Körfezi'nde L. simplex'in tespit edilmesi, türün deniz yoluyla, büyük olasılıkla gemi balast suları aracılığıyla taşınmış olabileceğini düşündürmektedir. Daha önce Hint Okyanusu, Güney Pasifik Okyanusu, Atlantik Okyanusu ve Meksika Körfezinde saptanan tür ilk kez olarak Akdeniz'de bu çalışmada İzmir Körfezi’nde rastlanmıştır. Bu çalışma, L. simplex'in Akdeniz’deki ilk bulunuşunu belgelemekte ve türün küresel dağılımı hakkında biyocoğrafik özet bilgiler sunmaktadır.

Keywords

• Tintinnidiidae
• lorica morfolojisi
• mikrozooplankton
• balast suyu girişi
• İzmir Körfezi

Ethical Statement

Mevcut değil

Thanks

Bu çalışma, İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi (İZSU) ve Ege Üniversitesi tarafından ortaklaşa yürütülen ve tamamlanan "İzmir Körfezi Deniz Çevresinde Yapılacak Tarama Faaliyetlerinin Fiziksel, Kimyasal ve Biyolojik Etkilerinin ve Sonuçlarının 2025 Yılı İzlenmesi" projesi kapsamında mevsimsel arazi çalışmaları sırasında toplanan örnekler kullanılarak gerçekleştirilmiştir. Proje boyunca saha altyapısı ve tekne yardımı da dahil olmak üzere lojistik destek sağlayan İzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi (İZSU) ekibine teşekkür etmek isterim.

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