Ecological features of the lessepsian migrant Leonnates persicus (Polychaeta: Nereididae) from the Levant coast of Turkey

The seasonal distribution of Leonnates persicus was studied along depth transects (10-200 m) of three stations located in the Levant Sea during February-November 2000. Leonnates persicus particularly dominated the slightly gravelly sand bottom of stations between 10 and 150 m. Its distributional pattern showed a seasonal trend: it inhabited depths between 40 and 150 m in February and May when surface temperature was below 21°C, whereas it preferred shallower waters (10-60 m) during the warm season (>29°C in August). The density of the species in the area varied between 10 and 130 ind m-2, with a maximum at 25-30 m ofl' Erdemli in August.