Volume 25, Issue 76, July - December, 2024

New distribution record of lethocerus patruelis in the eastern Mediterranean coast, Mersin, Türkiye

Aybüke Uysal^1♦, Deniz Ayas²

¹Middle East Technical University, Institute of Marine Sciences, Mersin, Türkiye
²Mersin University, Faculty of Fisheries, Mersin, Türkiye

^♦Corresponding Author
Middle East Technical University, Institute of Marine Sciences, Mersin, Türkiye

ABSTRACT

According to this study in Mersin, Turkey, Lethocerus patruelis has a new distribution record. Field surveys in Erdemli-Akkum and Taşucu-Boğsak bays conducted from May to July 2024 confirmed the occurrence of this species by traditional observation techniques. It is confirmed that L. patruelis has adapted to different environments and expanded its known distribution area. This information brings new locality data on the distribution of this species along the eastern Mediterranean coast. Given the possible effects on the marine ecosystem, its Mediterranean distribution must be revised. The study contributes to knowledge about these species' ecological requirements in their adjustment to coastal ecosystems and dynamics of distribution.

Keywords: Giant Water Bug, Lethocerus patruelis, Distribution, Expansion, Gulf of Mersin

Species, 2024, 25(76), e38s1709

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v25i76.e38s1709

Published: 16 August 2024