A new guest in Ilıca Bay (Çeşme–Izmir–Turkey), Coscinospira acicularis

Indo-Pacific originated foraminifera species Coscinospira acicularis individuals were found among a rich peneroplid assemblage around a submarine spring in Ilica Bay on the west coast of Karaburun Peninsula (Izmir, Turkey). This constitutes the first observation of this species in the Mediterranean. The submarine spring is located at a depth of 2.5 m and has a temperature of 28.4°C. It is possible that the special ecological conditions created by the warm waters of the spring might have enhanced the establishment of this thermophilic species. Although the Suez Canal is considered to be the major vector for the introduction of Indo-Pacific species into the Mediterranean, its abundance in Ilica Bay and lack of observation on the eastern Mediterranean coasts suggests that shipping is the most probable mode of introduction for this species.