Decapod Crustaceans associated with the sponge Sarcotragus muscarum Schmidt, ۱۸۶۴ (Porifera: Demospongiae) from the Levantine coasts of Turkey

The present study was carried out to determine the Decapod Crustaceans fauna in association with Sarcotragus muscarum Schmidt, ۱۸۶۴ from the Levantine Sea coasts of Turkey studied between ۱۳ September ۲۰۰۵ and ۰۷ October ۲۰۰۵. As a result of the present study, a total of ۷۱۱ specimens belonging to ۱۲ decapod species were identified. Among the species determined, Synalpheus gambaroloides (Nardo, ۱۸۴۷) was the most dominant species represented with ۶۱۶ individuals and dominance value of ۸۶.۶۴%.  Alpheus rapacida de Man, ۱۹۰۸ is firstly encountered in association with the sponge species.

Keywords:

Associated fauna , Diversity , Sarcotragus muscarum , Decapod , Levantine Sea , Turkey