Distribution, diversity, habitat preferences, and interactions with environmental variables of ostracod (Crustacean) species living in Gulf of Gemlik (The Sea of Marmara, Turkey)

The Gulf of Gemlik, located in the southeast of the Sea of Marmara, is facing a pollution threat due to intense of industrial facilities and urbanization with population growth. This study determined the living ostracod species in the Gulf of Gemlik and investigated their interactions with ecological parameters during a four-season period (August 2011, November 2011, February 2012, May 2012). Twenty-five ostracod species belonging to eight families were identified between at depths 1–96 m. The most abundant ostracod species in the gulf was Loxoconcha rhomboidea, Xestoleberis communis, Xestoleberis aurantia, and Aurila convexa. Positive correlations were observed between the individual numbers with dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, and species numbers, according to Spearman correlations. Negative relationships were observed between individual numbers/depth and individual numbers/salinity.