Species composition of artificial reef models specifically designed for Homarus gammarus (Crustacea: Decapoda: Nephropidae) in the Sea of Marmara

This paper aimed to determine the species composition around artificial reefs specifically designed for lobsters in the Sea of Marmara, Turkey. The species composition around artificial reefs was observed during the period between May 2016 and April 2017 by visual census techniques. A total number of 988 individuals from 20 different species were recorded around the artificial reefs. These species include 10 actinopterygii, 6 crustacean, 3 echinodermata, and 1 mollusc species which of these, six species have economic value. The results demonstrated that artificial reefs could increase the species composition in the area. Inachus dorsettensis (28.64%) and Carcinus aestuarii (25.91%) species constitute 55% of the total individuals recorded around the artificial reefs. Therefore, although these artificial reefs are species-specific for lobsters, their ecological function is also important for other species. This paper put forward that different artificial reef models served as alternative habitats for feeding, sheltering, and protecting the marine species. Then, their ecological function should be studied in detail. On the other hand, more investigations on different artificial reef models are required to protect and ensure the sustainability of the marine species stocks around artificial reefs in further researches.