Parasites on Appendicularia (Oikopleura (Vexillaria) dioica) from Sea of Marmara, Turkey

In the various sites in Sea of Marmara, Appendicularian Oikopleura (Vexillaria) dioica were invaded by Oodinium sp. This study provides the first evidence of Oodinium sp. in the Sea of Marmara, Turkey. High probability of a fatal attack to the zooplankton communities will affect directly to the biodiversity via food web and finally to the fishery of the area. The effect may grow or/and spread exponentially to the Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea, because of the oceanographical and biological specialities of the Sea of Marmara and its connections trough Turkish straits. This study emphasizes the consequences of parasitic infection in the case of the special position of Sea of Marmara.