Decapod crustaceans in benthic habitats of the Turkish Straits System with new records

The objective of this study was to investigate decapod species occurring in the Turkish Straits System. For this purpose, benthic samples were collected from six different biotopes (photophilic algae, Cystoseira barbata, meadows, Posidonia oceanica, mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis, meadows, Zostera marina, serpulid reef, and rocks) at depths ranging from 10 to 1000 m. A total of 60 species of decapod crustaceans were identified, including new records for the Turkish Straits System: Processa elegantula, P. modica, Richardina fredericii, Callianassa subterranea, Gourretia denticulata, Inachus parvirostris and Macropodia linaresi. In addition, some information about the spatial and bathymetric distribution as well as biotope preferences of the decapod community is provided.