The infralittoral zone on the south Aegean coast of Türkiye: A special emphasis on the fish fauna of Kazıklı Cove, Milas (Muğla)

Abstract

The survey conducted between 2019 and 2020, was aimed at collecting current data on the temporal and spatial changes of fish community structure in three distinct habitats of the infralittoral region of Kazıklı Bay in Milas, Türkiye. Using a fine beach seine, deployed seasonally at three different stations, the study identified 33 species from 14 families belonging to 5 orders. The most dominant species observed was the larvae of Engraulis encrasicolus. Other dominant species observed were the adults of E. encrasicolus, Mullus surmuletus, Mullus barbatus, and Pagellus erythrinus, which were documented only during three seasons viz. Spring, Summer and Autumn. Species that were observed only during one season include Belone belone, Diplodus puntazzo, Epinephelus aeneus, Gobius cobitis, Oxyurichthys petersii, Siganus rivulatus and Gobius ophiocephalus in spring; Acantholabrus palloni, Atherina boyeri, Gobius niger, Salaria basilisca, Microlipophrys canevae, Sparus aurata, Sphyraena viridensis, Symphodus cinereus, and Syngnathus acus in summer; Labrus bergylta, Labrus merula, Symphodus ocellatus, and Symphodus tinca in autumn; and Spicara sp., Diplodus vulgaris, and Chelon auratus in winter. Consequently, sampling stations II and III showed moderate species diversity, with station III having the highest number of observed fish species, reflecting differences in species composition and habitat preferences.