Spatiotemporal and ecological distribution of megabenthic crustaceans on the shelf-shelf break of Antalya Gulf, the eastern Mediterranean Sea

The spatiotemporal distribution and ecology of the suprabenthic benthic mega-crustaceans were studied in shelf-shelf break Turkish waters eastern Mediterranean Sea (Antalya Gulf). Sampling was conducted seasonally May 2014, August, October, February 2015 using an otter trawl at depths 10, 25, 75, 125 200 m along three transects. A total 59 species identified comprising 53 decapods (Eumalacostraca: Eucarida), 3 isopods Peracarida), stomatopods (Hoplocarida). Eighteen identifiable invasive, some them significantly influenced crustacean community structure. Parapenaeus longirostris, Pagurus prideaux, Charybdis (Goniohellenus) longicollis Medorippe lanata most common species. Parasquilla ferussaci reported for first time water Levantine Sea. Community structure showed seasonal patterns differed depth gradient habitat heterogeneity. megabenthic assemblage driven mainly by seafloor related to fishing disturbance area (fishing/no-fishing zones). Environmental parameters measured each sample tested relationship abundance multivariate analysis CCA (canonical correspondence analysis). results revealed significant differences substrate fine fraction bioseston.